Mt. Washington Valley Trails NH.

Mt. Washington Valley Trails & Mt Washington - NH
The highest mountain in the northeast state of New Hampshire, at 6288
feet, Mt. Washington (or Agiocochook as it was then called) was first
climbed in 1642 by Darby Field and two native guides but it wasn't
until 1853 that the first summit house was built. A year later,
Tip Top House was built, which survies to this day. For the less hardy,
the Carriage Road and a 3 mile cog railway were built; feats of
engineering which would be deemed difficult even in these modern
times! The cog railroad runs to the summit from the west and the
road road runs from the east.

South of the peak is the AMC's Lakes of the Clouds hut. At the base of
the east side is the AMC's Pinkham Notch Visitors Center.

The summit is covered with several buildings, including the Sherman
Adams Visitor's Center, TV and radio antennas, the Yankee Building and
the Mt Washington Observatory.The highest surface wind ever
recorded on earth was at the observatory on the summit of
Mt. Washington; 231 MPH on April 12, 1934. It is known for having
the worst weather in the world, especially bad in the winter. There are
many monuments to hikers who've died on the mountain, including this
oneLizzie Bourne Monument, Cog Railway - Courtesy of the Libray of Congress
to Lizzie Bourne. During the summer months, there is a cafeteria,
museum, payphone, gift shop, and even a post office in operation.
In winter, there is no access to any of the buildings. The Observatory
is staffed year-round by weather observers.

There have been several hotels on the summit. The original Tip-Top
House was a simple stone building with a wooden extension. Later, a
fancy wooden hotel was built, directly connected to the Railroad. It
burned down and a new simpler hotel was built in the early 1900's. In
recent years the wooden extension of the Tip-Top House was removed.
You can tour the inside of Tip Top House during the summer months.

On the east side of the mountain are three major ravines;
The Great Gulf, said to be the greatest of the glacial errosion cirques
in the Presidential Range.
Tuckerman - which is famous for its late spring skiing.
Huntington - a rock and ice climber's playground.
On the west side, the Ammoonosuc Ravine dominates. Just south of
Lakes of the Clouds, is Mt Monroe, and just north is Mt Clay, with a bit
further on, Mt Jefferson.

There are many options for hiking to the summit of Mt Washington. The
most popular routes start at Pinkham Notch, on the east side of the
mountain. Climbing from the east means that you are sheltered from the
usual strong winds out of north and west for the majority of the hike. The
main route is up the Tuckerman Ravine trail (4.1 miles) which goes
straight from Pinkham to the summit.

On the south side of the ravine is the Boott Spur trail (5.4 miles) and the
north side has the Lion Head trail (4.5 miles). Both are slightly longer than
Tuckerman Ravine but also easier on the knees. The Huntington Ravine
trail (5.1 miles) branches off the Tuckerman Ravine trail and climbs the
bare slabs of Huntington Ravine. This is probably the most difficult trail
in the White Mountains, and should not be attempt in bad weather or used
for descent. From there, people usually take the Alpine Garden trail to
Tuckerman Junction and continue to the top from there.

From the west side of the mountain, starting near the Marshfield Station
of the Cog Railroad, there are two routes:
The Ammonoosuc Ravine trail (3.9 miles) starts at a parking area just
below the Cog parking lot and climbs up the Lakes of the Clouds hut.
Hikers continue up on the Crawford Path to the summit.

The Jewel trail (4.6 miles) leaves from the far side of the Cog Railroad
parking lot (park at the Ammonoosuc Ravine trailhead) and climbs up
to the ridge where it joins the Gulfside trail.

Trailheads
Pinkham Notch Visitors Center - Take Rt 16 north from North Conway,
located about 10 miles north of Jackson. Parking in the main lot does
not require a WMNF parking pass, parking in the overflow lots does.
There are bathrooms, coin operated showers, food, some gear, and pay
phones. Lodging is available with reservations.

Ammonoosuc Ravine - From Rt 302 in Bretton Woods, take the Base
Road 6 miles to the trailhead parking area on the right, just before the Cog
Railroad. A WMNF Parking Pass is required.

Before even starting off on your hike, I recommend you take at a look at
the Mt. Washington Observatory Daily Weather report. for an
up-to-date report from the top. For some simple tips on how to prepare
for your trip, please visit our safety tips page. Althought there are references to UK routes, the basic info still applies!

Have fun, test your stamina but be safe!

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