3 Pinkham Notch Hikes You’ll Want to Do

Loving the view of the White Mountains
Loving the view of the White Mountains near Pinkham Notch

With a base at Joe Dodge Lodge in the White Mountains, you’re well positioned to spend several days enjoying numerous Pinkham Notch hikes, especially in the summer when the trails are clear all the way through to Mount Washington and other nearby presidential peaks.

The other option is to head out on a multi-day backpacking trip to the high huts along the Appalachian Trail in the White Mountains. In just 24 hours I got a taste of the beauty of the Pinkham Notch area on the following three easy to moderate Pinkham Notch hikes.

Tuckerman Ravine hike near Pinkham Notch

I visited New Hampshire in early June so although the summit of Mt Washington was only 4.1 miles away, I was stopped at the Tuckerman Ravine Shelter because of snow.

I would love to make it to the summit on foot, rather than in a car,  (though that’s still a very interesting drive) but that will have to wait until the day I organize a hut to hut hike. (More info at the end of the post.) Hiking the rocky, sometimes slick Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the shelter is still a worthwhile outing.

It’s a pretty trail especially when it’s dressed in spring green and the one beautiful waterfall along the route is a worthy goal in itself.

I found it interesting to see one of the shelters you’d find along the Appalachian Trail. It made me pause and really think how difficult the hike done in its entirety would be – something I’ve contemplated on many occasions.

3 Pinkham Notch Hikes You'll Want to Do
The summit of Mt. Washington seems so close
3 Pinkham Notch Hikes You'll Want to Do
There are plenty of warnings before you head out on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail
Enjoying the sound of rushing water on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail hike
Enjoying the sound of rushing water on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail hike
3 Pinkham Notch Hikes You'll Want to Do
A lovely waterfall on one of the Pinkham Notch hikes
Trails like this with slippery rocks get your attention
Trails like this with slippery rocks get your attention
3 Pinkham Notch Hikes You'll Want to Do
Despite the rainy weather, it’s a popular trail
3 Pinkham Notch Hikes You'll Want to Do
A shelter along the Appalachian Trail
3 Pinkham Notch Hikes You'll Want to Do
A couple of young bucks off for a late skiing adventure

Pinkham Notch hikes – the fabulous Square Ledge hike

The Square Ledge hike delivers a great view for a minimal amount of effort. It’s only 0.8 miles one way with just 154 feet of elevation gain.

The crux of the hike is crossing the muddy logs at the start of the trail across from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Centre.

I’d call Square Ledge an easy hike but others who don’t climb rocky trails might disagree. At the top there is an easy scramble to get onto a wide ledge – and it is here you get the stellar views of Mt. Washington, should it be a clear day.

It’s easy to combine this hike with the Lost Pond hike pictured below. 

3 Pinkham Notch Hikes You'll Want to Do
The muddy first part of the Square Ledge and Lost Pond hike
Good signage on the Square Ledge trail
Good signage on the Square Ledge trail
3 Pinkham Notch Hikes You'll Want to Do
The Square Ledge hike is short but with some interesting aspects to it
3 Pinkham Notch Hikes You'll Want to Do
The views from the top of the rock over to Joe Dodge Lodge
The Square Ledge hike out of Pinkham Notch
Loving the view of the White Mountains on the Square Ledge hike

Lost Pond Trail – one of the beautiful Pinkham Notch hikes

The Lost Pond Trail shares the same trailhead as the Square Ledge hike. It’s actually a short section of the Appalachian Trail that is primarily forested. A

ll told its 1.7 miles out and back with 354 feet of elevation gain. Parts of the trail in early June were quite muddy but I’m sure come mid-summer, its long gone. This is one of the easiest of the Pinkham Notch hikes.

The prize at the end of the hike is beautiful Lost Pond. To get a good view down the pond, you may get your feet wet as much of the area around the lake is marshy. Sit quietly when you get there and listen to the birdsong. It’s in a very peaceful setting.

3 Pinkam Notch hikes you'll want to do
On the way up to Lost Pond
Beautiful light on the hike to Lost Pond - one of the top Pinkham Notch hikes
Beautiful light on the hike to Lost Pond
Lost Pond is one of the easy Pinkham Notch hikes
Lost Pond is one of the easy Pinkham Notch hikes
The Lost Pond hike is part of the Appalachian Trail
The Lost Pond hike is part of the Appalachian Trail
Getting back to Joe Dodge Lodge
Getting back to Joe Dodge Lodge

Another option: A Hut-to-Hut Hike above treeline in the White Mountains

Beginning on September 1, you can book a hut to hut hike along the Appalachian Trail. They provide access to the longest continuous ridge walk on the Appalachian Trail – and better yet are fully catered for much of the time that they are open.

Three of the eight huts are either at or above treeline so you can imagine how spectacular the views are. You can expect bunkroom style accommodation (rooms hold 6 – 8 people) along with hearty meals and camaraderie.

If you book the huts you only have to carry lunches and snacks along with the usual 10 hiking essentials.

Some of the huts are more challenging than others to get to so you do need to factor in your hiking ability when you book. I’m planning a trip for the fall when the colours are at their peak.

For more information on all the huts visit the White Mountains of New Hampshire. And book early.

Lake of the Clouds Hut on the Appalachian Trail - Photo credit: Dennis Welsh
Lake of the Clouds Hut – Photo credit: Dennis Welsh
Greenleaf Hut on the Appalachian Trail- Photo credit: Herb Swanson
Greenleaf Hut – Photo credit: Herb Swanson

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3 of the must do Pinkham Notch hikes in New Hampshire

Thank you to Visit New Hampshire for hosting my visit. All opinions as always are mine alone.

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