Couldn't have asked for a better day to climb this trail: temperatures in the 60s and next to no wind. The scramble section was definitely one of the hardest I've ever done (pitches of it are comparable to the Chimney on Katahdin's knife edge). The slabs at the start were the most exposed part, I'd say, but definitely not the hardest. And it didn't help that the blazes were fading in a few key spots along the route. When I got down, I mentioned this to a ranger at the Pinkham Notch visitor center, and he said there was some conflict with the Leave No Trace people that was keeping them from repainting the blazes. Seriously? Hiker safety is well worth a few ecologically insignificant dabs of paint on rocks.
Definitely the desired path to the top if you're looking for some easy climbing and not just a steep hike. Tuckermans was just that, a steep hike. I descended this way. Hammered out Huntington in 3 hours 20 mins flat. Great Class 4 moves along the way. No extreme exposure, just steep rock that required hand holds and some upper body strength to ascend. Would love to try a variation of this route next time. Definitely do not feel intimidated if you're comfortable with your ability to pull yourself up over rock, I felt like I was being talked out of the route by some people. I appreciated their concern, but when it comes hikes/climbs like this, I feel you should weigh your options, get a variety of opinions, and have some self knowledge of your own abilities! Wet weather would have turned me away, it is steep, but a lot of fun!
joshvillen - Jul 22, 2011 12:29 am Date Climbed: Feb 5, 2010
1st time
Boulder field before the scree is a little tiring
joshvillen - Jul 22, 2011 12:27 am Date Climbed: Mar 8, 2010
2nd time
one of my favorite routes, even in the rain
Kristin5berry - Feb 28, 2011 9:37 am Date Climbed: May 1, 2010
A great surprise
Didn't even realize it was Huntingtons until after..... I always heard it was SOOO hard, I thought it was great technical climbing!
jcoalter - Jul 8, 2010 12:47 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2010
Sunny Day
Glad it was a nice sunny day for this one. Little sketchy at times, especially for my short self. But a good time. Up this, down Lions head.
chocodove - Jul 7, 2010 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2010
Loved it
Loads of fun. found the ledges above the slab to be the most sketchy, but nothing terrible. First time on Washington and glad we did it right. Perfect day, near 60 with little to no wind and clear skies.
Chinigo - Jul 5, 2010 1:42 am Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2008
Into the clouds and wind
It was fine at the base, but as we approached and climbed the Fan you could feel the cold wind coming down from above! We hit the clouds and put on all our gear!
tlogan - Oct 7, 2009 3:51 pm Date Climbed: Oct 2, 2009
Fun Scramble
Had a great time after he clouds lifted and the rock dried... far better than just slogging up the peak... a great little challenge. Loved it!
zapacoman - Oct 7, 2009 8:49 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2009
Beats Trudging Up Anyday
This hike/scramble spoiled me. Where are others like it in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Poconos, Gunks, Smokies, or Blue Mountains?
mlandau3 - Oct 7, 2007 12:08 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2007
A Great Day
This is a really cunning trail. It was a nice, dry day; the trail was definitely steep, but the exposure wasn't all that bad. And there was even a place to proceed "au cheval".
Isaiah - Aug 18, 2007 9:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2007
A MASS kid climbs it at 21
We were going rain or shine and since it was shine we did this little route that is thoroughly fun! The last maybe 300 to 500 feet to the top of the ravine are the most fun with some slabs and steps. The exposure is pleasant. It's a long way down but it's not vertical so it's not too scary. Best standard route on the mountain!
Sam Page - Jul 28, 2007 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2007
Surprisingly steep
Excellent "trail".
mountainloverCO - Jul 23, 2007 8:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2007
Huntington Ravine Trail
After the usual New England bushwack through the forest, we finally reached the start of the slabs in the ravine. We had a great time putting out rock climbing skills to use in this area, and enjoyed minimal crowds during our ascent (most people were headed up Tuckerman's). The entire climb up was such a blast, and I'm glad to have experienced Washington on such a beautiful day using this fun, scrambling route. I felt very proud after having completed all of the class 3 slabs!
Isaiah - Nov 25, 2006 11:37 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2005
Fun in the sun..
But its not always sunny. I've also been on Boot Spur, Lions Head (Winter and summer) for summit days. Nice route not many loose rocks. The mountain is better on a nice day in the winter less people who shouldn't be there and there are some interesting ice patches to climb up and down.
James_W - Mar 7, 2006 7:30 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2005
Huntington Ravine Trail
Climbed this route many times. Best non technical ascent of this peak at least you get to scramble!
larvitar - Jul 7, 2019 7:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2019
Perfect weather; imperfect blazesCouldn't have asked for a better day to climb this trail: temperatures in the 60s and next to no wind. The scramble section was definitely one of the hardest I've ever done (pitches of it are comparable to the Chimney on Katahdin's knife edge). The slabs at the start were the most exposed part, I'd say, but definitely not the hardest. And it didn't help that the blazes were fading in a few key spots along the route. When I got down, I mentioned this to a ranger at the Pinkham Notch visitor center, and he said there was some conflict with the Leave No Trace people that was keeping them from repainting the blazes. Seriously? Hiker safety is well worth a few ecologically insignificant dabs of paint on rocks.
Bkoziol3 - Sep 5, 2011 4:58 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2011
Huntington is the Way to GODefinitely the desired path to the top if you're looking for some easy climbing and not just a steep hike. Tuckermans was just that, a steep hike. I descended this way. Hammered out Huntington in 3 hours 20 mins flat. Great Class 4 moves along the way. No extreme exposure, just steep rock that required hand holds and some upper body strength to ascend. Would love to try a variation of this route next time. Definitely do not feel intimidated if you're comfortable with your ability to pull yourself up over rock, I felt like I was being talked out of the route by some people. I appreciated their concern, but when it comes hikes/climbs like this, I feel you should weigh your options, get a variety of opinions, and have some self knowledge of your own abilities! Wet weather would have turned me away, it is steep, but a lot of fun!
joshvillen - Jul 22, 2011 12:29 am Date Climbed: Feb 5, 2010
1st timeBoulder field before the scree is a little tiring
joshvillen - Jul 22, 2011 12:27 am Date Climbed: Mar 8, 2010
2nd timeone of my favorite routes, even in the rain
Kristin5berry - Feb 28, 2011 9:37 am Date Climbed: May 1, 2010
A great surpriseDidn't even realize it was Huntingtons until after..... I always heard it was SOOO hard, I thought it was great technical climbing!
jcoalter - Jul 8, 2010 12:47 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2010
Sunny DayGlad it was a nice sunny day for this one. Little sketchy at times, especially for my short self. But a good time. Up this, down Lions head.
chocodove - Jul 7, 2010 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2010
Loved itLoads of fun. found the ledges above the slab to be the most sketchy, but nothing terrible. First time on Washington and glad we did it right. Perfect day, near 60 with little to no wind and clear skies.
Chinigo - Jul 5, 2010 1:42 am Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2008
Into the clouds and windIt was fine at the base, but as we approached and climbed the Fan you could feel the cold wind coming down from above! We hit the clouds and put on all our gear!
tlogan - Oct 7, 2009 3:51 pm Date Climbed: Oct 2, 2009
Fun ScrambleHad a great time after he clouds lifted and the rock dried... far better than just slogging up the peak... a great little challenge. Loved it!
zapacoman - Oct 7, 2009 8:49 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2009
Beats Trudging Up AnydayThis hike/scramble spoiled me. Where are others like it in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Poconos, Gunks, Smokies, or Blue Mountains?
imzadi - Sep 14, 2009 1:34 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2009
WickedUp Huntington's...across Alpine Garden...down Boot Spur.
NICE TRIP!!!
BlackForrest - May 30, 2009 5:22 pm Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2006
Cold wind on topDid a traverse - up Huntington, down Crwaford.
Jerry L - Feb 16, 2008 7:18 pm
This one too.Did it.
mlandau3 - Oct 7, 2007 12:08 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2007
A Great DayThis is a really cunning trail. It was a nice, dry day; the trail was definitely steep, but the exposure wasn't all that bad. And there was even a place to proceed "au cheval".
Isaiah - Aug 18, 2007 9:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2007
A MASS kid climbs it at 21We were going rain or shine and since it was shine we did this little route that is thoroughly fun! The last maybe 300 to 500 feet to the top of the ravine are the most fun with some slabs and steps. The exposure is pleasant. It's a long way down but it's not vertical so it's not too scary. Best standard route on the mountain!
Sam Page - Jul 28, 2007 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2007
Surprisingly steepExcellent "trail".
mountainloverCO - Jul 23, 2007 8:16 am Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2007
Huntington Ravine TrailAfter the usual New England bushwack through the forest, we finally reached the start of the slabs in the ravine. We had a great time putting out rock climbing skills to use in this area, and enjoyed minimal crowds during our ascent (most people were headed up Tuckerman's). The entire climb up was such a blast, and I'm glad to have experienced Washington on such a beautiful day using this fun, scrambling route. I felt very proud after having completed all of the class 3 slabs!
Isaiah - Nov 25, 2006 11:37 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2005
Fun in the sun..But its not always sunny. I've also been on Boot Spur, Lions Head (Winter and summer) for summit days. Nice route not many loose rocks. The mountain is better on a nice day in the winter less people who shouldn't be there and there are some interesting ice patches to climb up and down.
James_W - Mar 7, 2006 7:30 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2005
Huntington Ravine TrailClimbed this route many times. Best non technical ascent of this peak at least you get to scramble!