Third Time's a Charm

This is our third trip to the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. We vacationed here many years ago and in 1982 these mountains were the last we crossed before completing our cross continental bicycle trip a day later on the Atlantic coast. On the previous two visits we did not make it to the top of Mt. Washington, the highest point in the Northeast at 6288 feet, because it was one of the 260 plus days each year that the summit is shrouded in clouds. This time we did make it to the top and were rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

The eight mile Mt. Washington Auto Road, that celebrates its 150th anniversary next year, starts through a forest of tall trees into a middle zone of stunted smaller trees and ends in the arctic-alpine zone near the top. Signs of the times.

We have done a lot of mountain driving so we know all about how to use low gear and our brakes. It is amazing the number of cars that passed us with the distinct smell of burning brakes. The sign about the summit weather changed before we finished our trip as the clouds cleared to offer great views. The wind and temp did not change very much. The "ATTENTION" sign is very true. There were no guardrails on the mountain. Top right is a computer monitor with the changing weather for June 4th. The highest temperature ever recorded was 72 and the lowest was -47. It is always colder at the top than at the bottom.

There are not a many plants or animals on the summit. Just a few flowers, a spider hiding among the rocks and in the center as the sign states, "Take a look at the largest mammal found on the summit of Mt. Washington."

The bottom half of this pic is what we saw when we arrived at the top. Later it cleared and, as shown in the top pic from the exact spot, we were able to see Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Adams and Mt. Madison, three other peaks in the Presidential Range.

We opted to drive to the top but another option is to take the Mount Washington Cog Railway. We are glad we drove as the summit got clearer and clearer after the train started its descent. The last time we were here all the engines were coal fired, but because of environmental concerns, they only have one coal fired trip a day while the others are fueled by modern bio-diesel engines. I think something has been lost as I remember watching the old coal burners chugging up the mountain on our previous visits.

On the right is a view of the Mount Washington Hotel as seen from the top after the clouds cleared. Left is the cloud free mountain with the hotel in the foreground. The straight line on the mountain is the cog railway.

There are several radio towers and housing for the scientists who work at the top monitoring the weather. There is a state park building with a great museum of the mountain's history.

This is what we saw when we arrived with the clouds limiting the view to just a few feet. This is one of several buildings on the summit that are used for everything from research and housing to educating and feeding the tourists.

The highest wind speed ever recorded occurred on Mt. Washington. Nanc is hanging on to one of the chains that holds this old weather station down. While it was only blowing at around 45 mph during our visit it had been as high as 60mph that day. Stepping around the edge of the building into the wind did give you a little jolt.

We made it. Even though we did not hike it, we did get to the top. The trip was well worth it and we would like to come back some day and ride the cog railway. This whole area offers a lot to do and would be a great place for an extended stay.