If you’re thinking about trying to climb Mt. Washington in the spring, summer or fall, but feeling a bit apprehensive about taking on one of the most difficult peaks in the east, please consider hiring one of our experienced local guides. While we specialize in technical climbing, mountaineering and backcountry skiing, many people don’t realize that we are also available to guide people on hikes – like Mt. Washington — that they might not otherwise feel comfortable tackling on their own. Or perhaps you just want a guide to share local knowledge and lore, or to help with route finding or an especially large group, or just to have a partner to share stories on the trail and to take your photo on the summit.

This course is available as a private, pre-existing group, or via our flexible booking option (we’ll try to match you with other hikers).

  • Choose whether this is a private (1 person) or an existing group. Prices are per person per day.
  • Please choose the number of days.
    Please enter a number from 1 to 7.
  • $0.00
  • Online booking is available 2 days from today (please call or email to inquire about earlier dates; we can often accommodate last minute requests). If you are booking for multiple days, this will be your starting date.
    MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • We'll be in touch to work out specific details, but please briefly describe your outdoor background (relative to the course or guiding objective) and goals.
  • Please read and check the box if you agree to the policies.

    Online Bookings
    Online bookings are subject to guide availability and other factors such as weather and climbing conditions. After receiving your online booking, we will get back to you within 1 business day via phone or email to confirm your booking. In the event that we cannot accommodate your booking, you have the option of having your payment refunded or applied to a future booking.

    Payment
    SMG accepts credit cards, PayPal, checks, and cash. Payment is due in full 7 days before a booking (or at time of booking confirmation when a course/trip is less than 7 days away). An exception is made for payment by check or cash...in these cases, payment is due in full at or before the course/trip.

    Cancellations
    If you have to cancel your booking, please give us as much notice as possible. If you cancel 30+ days before the booking, we’ll apply the deposit/payment towards another booking at a later date or you can request a refund. If you cancel from 14-29 days before the booking, we’ll apply the deposit/payment towards another booking at a later date. If you cancel 13 days or sooner from the booking, for any reason, the deposit/payment is forfeited.

    Weather & Winter
    Winter courses/trips are rain or shine. If SMG cancels a booking due to weather, we will reschedule you for an alternate date of your choice.

Pay a 50% Deposit

Course Information

We normally lead our Mount Washington hikes up the Lion Head trail, which begins at the Pinkham Notch visitor center on the east side of the mountain. This is the easiest route to the summit, but still entails 4.1 miles of extremely rugged terrain, and 4250 feet of vertical relief. The hike to the summit normally takes between three and five hours, and then another two or three to get back down. Please note that it is also possible (weather and time permitting) to get a ride back down the Mount Washington Auto Road if your knees are past their prime.

All of our guides are Wilderness First Responders and have deep local knowledge of Mt. Washington and the surrounding peaks of the White Mountains. Between us we have hundreds, if not thousands, of Mt. Washington ascents to our credit, during every month of the year, and in every kind of weather imaginable.

We are your Mt. Washington experts and would love the opportunity to share our love for the Northeast’s most iconic peak with you.

Prerequisites

No prior experience is required, but the ascent is 4.1 miles and 4250 vertical feet, so participants should be physically fit and ready to trudge uphill with a small pack for four or five hours. If you are interested, we can help you with a training program to get prepared for the ascent

Time

6-8 hours, approximately three to five hours up, and two or three hours down

Equipment & Clothing (the exact kit will depend on the weather, but here’s a sample list):

  • stout hiking shoes or light boots and good socks
  • synthetic t-shirt
  • synthetic long-sleeve shirt
  • synthetic pants or soft-shell
  • hard shell/rain pant (optional)
  • top mid layer, i.e. fleece jacket
  • hard shell jacket
  • lightweight puffy or ski jacket
  • ski hat
  • sunglasses
  • gloves
  • day pack
  • headlamp
  • sunblock, lip block
  • trekking pole(s)
  • water bottles (2 liters)
  • lunch and snacks

When & Where

Your day will start at the SMG office in Intervale NH at 7am. We can quickly get yeverything sorted out and then hit the trail.

Mountains, Cliffs, & Routes

Mount Washington, NH

Difficulty

Steep & Rocky Hiking

Length

One Day (although we can extend to multiple days)

Season

Spring through Fall (as conditions permit)

Inquire

Have a question about Mount Washington Guided Hike?