Presidential Range

This is the first 5 scale danger rating forecast of the 2020-21 season. There is LOW avalanche danger today.  Normal precautions for safe travel are advised, even in our currently limited avalanche terrain. Look for signs of instability in the steepest, most wind-sheltered terrain at upper elevations, where recent snowfall has formed small, but mostly stubborn, wind slabs. The generally safe avalanche conditions that currently exist will be short-lived as new snow arrives in the mountains tomorrow. For now, expect a mix of firm, refrozen snow that is great for cramponing up a slope, mixed with areas of slightly softer, new snow that holds a ski edge. Conditions remain very rocky. Plenty of frozen waterfalls and cliffs that are normally buried by wind-blown snow and avalanche debris in a snowy winter remain exposed or very near the surface increasing the consequences of a slide. 

The summer Lion Head Trail remains the best option if climbing to the summit from Pinkham Notch. Other trails on the east side of Mount Washington are significant technical mountaineering routes requiring advanced climbing techniques and equipment. Climbing these routes without the proper training, experience and equipment may lead to a close call or worse.  The Lion Head Winter Route will be the prefered choice when snowfields near treeline grow on the summer Lion Head Trail.

West side and lower elevations have much less snow than high east-facing terrain with a good fetch. In simpler terms, Tuckerman Ravine has the most reasonable conditions for skiing, however, the skiing there is limited to Left Gully, disconnected sections from Chute across the Headwall through Sluice, and the lower portion of Right Gully. Bits and pieces of other terrain can be linked together but are more consequential should you fall. Tuckerman Ravine is a steep, boulder filled boneyard that is skiable only because of consistent wind loading patterns across the Alpine Garden and Bigelow Lawn.    

The Sherburne ski trail is snow covered to Pinkham Notch, but just barely.  It’s in pretty good shape, with only a few rocks, down to the crossover to the TRT at around 3,400’, where the trail becomes a boneyard. Walking your gear is prudent in a few places from there, if you decide to ski at all.

Details on daily snowfall totals, precipitation type, total depth of snow, and other information can be found on our page devoted to snow study plot data. Click here to check it out. Data collected hourly by the new automated weather station at Hermit Lake can be found hereand graphically here. Recent snowpack and avalanche observations can be found here. Your observations help improve our forecast product. Please take a moment and submit a photo or two and a brief description of snow and avalanche conditions that you see in the field.

The Harvard Cabin is open for camping only with no entry allowed insodxe the cabin.

Please Remember:

Safe travel in avalanche terrain requires training and experience. This forecast is just one tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. You control your own risk by choosing where, when, and how you travel.

Avalanche danger may change when actual weather differs from the higher summits forecast.

For more information contact the US Forest Service Snow Rangers, AMC visitor services staff at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, or the caretakers at Hermit Lake Shelters or the Harvard Cabin (generally December 1 through March 31). The Mount Washington Ski Patrol is also available on spring weekends.