Snow Arch

[Great Guinness Ghost]

Right, you will be able to get to Lakes.

You might even have to cross some snow on the Lion's Head Trail. Take your time, its usually a short, easy traverse. With just enough exposure to raise your heart rate.

Thanks guys. That's are game plan, up Lions head, a stroll through the Alpine garden. Probably come down Boott Spur the next day. Staying at Pinkham really makes it convenient. I'll take plenty of photos to post. Happy trails!

[BlueDog]

OK Guys, I'm really intrigued now.... Snow Arch? Are there some photos of this thing in full effect? Where is it? Sounds like this is an annual formation. I was surprised to learn last year that people ski in Tucks, would have never thought there would be enough snow to ski it until JUNE!!

These other winter hike pictures are really making me wish I was closer to the area. It's been miserable down here in VA with our mid 50s to mid 60s weather! (Honestly, I'd trade the nicest day we've had so far for a cold hike in the sonw of the mountains!)

[Brad]

All winter long snow is blown by the prevailing west wind off the mountain and into Tuckermans Ravine. There it stacks up all winter. Once spring comes and the snow has started to pack down a bit, the skiers come out to play. It is quite a sight.

When summer comes the snow, of course, melts. And the waterfalls on the headwall start flowing again. As the snow melts the flowing water carves out an arch in the snow. The last of the snow to melt is normally at the arch.

[BlueDog]

Thanks Brad! Having hiked Tuck's/Lion Head for STP last year I can now picture it.

So the skiiers really don't come out until SPRING?! I have the webcams set up to display on my desktop, and this certainly explains why I haven't been able to spot any activity in the ravine.

Now I think I'll have to plan a pre-STP trip to see this supposed arch!

[Brad]

My guess is you will see the arch this year on the STP day in July. At least snow will be there. In the early summer you will see folks hiking up the Tucks trail with skis on their packs. They want to say they skied Tucks in July. A couple of turns down the remaining snow "slope" is enough for them.

I am hoping to get into Tucks in the next month on a good day to see what it is like. My son heads down to an island off S America for a week of windsurfing. Once he gets back I will ask him to go hiking back into the ravine with me.

[KD Talbot]

Here it is again. I took this 7/1/06. I'm guessing it will be more impressive at that time this year.



Contest on! When will the snow arch collapse? My guess is 7/31/08.

If you want to check out the spring skiing in Tuck's go here:

http://www.timefortuckerman.com/

KDT

[Great Guinness Ghost]

My guess,...arch falls Monday 7/28/08. At least that way STP hikers will see it.

[mtruman]

I'll go with 7/26 at 9:30am. Some of us can be there to see it drop (from a safe distance...) Hike early or miss the event

[Tim&Val]

So the skiiers really don't come out until SPRING?!

A special that I saw on NH public television recently stated that the conditions for skiing in Tucks didn't get good until it reached at least 60 degrees in North Conway.

Tim and I are headed up there to watch them this year. We've never seen it before.

Valerie

[Steve M]

Well, because I would love to get pictures of the snow arch, I'll say it will fall on August 1st.