Trifter

As a lot of you know I was born and raised in New Hampshire. Along with many other places to visit here I chose Mount Washington. The majestic mountain is the highest peak in the northeastern United States and  it is 6,288 feet above sea level. It is snuggled in the heart of the White Mountain National forest, with  it being part of the Presidential Range. At the top there is an observatory. This summit also holds the world record for a wind speed of 231 miles per hour. It is also well known for its severe weather.

This hotel sets at the foot of the mountain.  It is called of course, The Mount Washington Hotel. The mountain is in the back ground. I was blessed to have a clear day and you can actually see the top of the mountain. A lot of the time it is in the clouds because of its height and weather.

The hotel was built in 1902 and was built to service the wealthy. Many famous people have stayed here and it even boasts of having ghosts included. It is a beautiful hotel with gorgeous views no matter which way you look.

The Mountain also hosts a 7.6 mile road so as you can drive to the top. Just make sure your breaks are good for the ride back down. There is also no guard rails on the side of the road so it is a long way down. There is also a coach if you would rather someone else drive to the summit. It is a guided tour so you wont be alone on your journey.

You can also hike if you like, but you better be in good shape because it is very steep in places. You can walk the road or their are many hiking trails you can also take. Just be sure to remember to bring warm clothes as the weather changes in minutes up there. The mountain has claimed its share of people whether it was from hiking or skiing. She is a marvelous wonder but with a side which if not careful will keep you with her for eternity. Many people have been lost or have died on their hiking and skiing expeditions to the summit.

In this picture if you look closely at the top you can see the antennas for the observatory on top. This picture does not do justice to the enormity of the grand mountain. You can also see the snow that sits on top.

The mountain also has a Cog Railway if you choose not to drive to the top. It takes three hours round trip, but I will tell you it is scary in some parts. At some points it seems you are riding into the clouds and I guess you really are. It is steep and slow going, but the views and the experience are well worth the trip. The Cog is the only coal fired steam engine still in operation today.

This is a picture of one of the cars coming sown the mountain. The train is rickety and sometimes feels like it is going to run away with you inside. I would make sure to bring extra clothes for your visit to the summit as it is usually much colder up there then when you begin.

This is the summit. It has a beautiful view on a clear day. You can actually see into Canada and New York when the sky is open up there. This is truly as close as I have ever gotten to heaven I do believe.

This is the smoke stack of the train. It got in my view, but it still makes a nice picture and shows the power behind the train itself.

As you can imagine this Mountain also has skiing. They call it the snow train and it will take you up 3800 feet. This is about half way up the mountain and you can actually ski beside the train on the way down. Most times the slopes are not well groomed but it will be something you may never do again.

A lot of folks also take the train and hike to Tuckermans Ravine. They carry their equipment to the ravine which is on the side of the mountain shaped like a bowl. Only for highly expert skiers it is scary just hiking to the bottom of the bowl never mind skiing it. If you plan to visit Tuckermans Ravine I would recommend spring time. They ski there until at least the middle of June and the hike in is not as bad as it is in deep winter. I know a lot of people who do it though. I visited Tuckermans once in my life. I took my children and it was wonderful. The hike is a few miles up but once you arrive it is like nothing I have ever seen before. I would never ski it though, I am not that good, but watching them climb the side of the mountain one foot at a time was interesting to watch. If you do go to ski make sure you check with the bottom for avalanche warnings. Yes they do have them.

This trip is well worth it, and you will forever have the memory of climbing Mount Washington, no matter if you choose to ride to the summit or make the hike it will be instilled inside of you forever.

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