Rasika DalviIt is sweet when you get a surprise, sweeter when it’s from your husband and sweetest when it’s about doing your favorite thing; travelling and exploring. So, over a weekend before Memorial Day, my husband had planned a little getaway at my favorite place; New Hampshire.
I am just in love with this beautiful state, which has everything to offer; from its 18 miles of seacoast- the shortest of any state in the USA to the summit of the northeast’s highest peak. During summer, one can enjoy hiking on Appalachian trails, sailing or kayaking on mountain-ringed lakes, camping amidst woods or simply relaxing in your cabin and soaking nature’s beauty. Snow enthusiasts can enjoy skiing, snowmobiling and other winter sports during winter. And of course, I cannot forget to mention spectacular foliage views during autumn (I will soon have a post dedicated only to foliage in NH). This state will bestow nature’s beauty on you throughout all the seasons. Apart from this splendid nature’s beauty, colonial history, and wooden bridges; one more thing which it offers is tax-free shopping (this tip is especially for my shopaholic readers out there 😉).
It took us four hours to drive from Connecticut to New Hampshire on a busy Friday evening. This time we tried a different and popular form of accommodation, which is Vaccational Rental/Airbnb. Our host has a beautiful home at Vista Villa Condominium in Intervale.
This house has such a spectacular view that even if you do not step out of the home, you can enjoy the best view sitting on a patio while sipping your favorite wine. This place perfectly gave us “a home away from home” experience.
The next morning, we decided to see the Mt. Washington. No mountain in the northeast is as famous as New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington. It is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 ft. and the most prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River. Since 1524, the year of its first recorded sighting by a European explorer who spotted it from the Atlantic Ocean, it’s been the most visible and talked-about mountain in the region.
Mt. Washington is a serious mountain with notoriously unpredictable weather. It is known to have “the worst weather in the world”. On April 12, 1934, the observatory recorded a 231-mile-per-hour (372 km/hr.) windspeed that remains a world record for a land-based weather station.
The primary summit building was designed to withstand 300 mph (480 km/h) winds and some of the observatory buildings are secured to the mountain with chains to keep them from blowing away.
Temperatures atop the mountain can drop as low as -47°F (-44°C). The average temperature on the summit is 27°F (-3°C) with an average wind speed of 35 mph (56 km/hr.).
It is considered as “Deadliest mountain in America”. Its extreme weather catches hikers and skiers with unexpected fog, high winds, rain showers, and even thunderstorms. Since 1849, 150 people have died on this mountain. Mount Washington is justly famed for its weather extremes. The highest surface wind spreed ever observed by man – 231 miles per hour, was recorded there on April 12, 1934 by the Mount Washington Observatory. Founded in 1932, the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory continues its weather monitoring and research to this day.
I believe after knowing these amusing (and kind of intimidating too) facts, let’s begin our journey towards this magnificent mountain.
There are various options to go up. Railway enthusiasts can choose a scenic train ride of Mt. Washington Cog Railway which is three hours round trip ($72/adult and $41/child). One can take a guided tour through a van ($36/adult and $16/child) or drive/ride on the beautiful Mt. Washington Auto Road or hike through the Appalachian Mountains trail. One can explore various hiking trails, but the main hike from the base is about 4-4.5 hours with the steep and rocky ascent. Though hiking sounds quite adventurous, we decided to drive through a winding auto road this time.
It was a partly cloudy day and rains were expected in the afternoon. It is very important to check the weather report & choose your day wisely, as the weather can get crazy in no time. We had started our journey from the base to the summit through Mt. Washington Auto Road, Gorham. It is 8 miles wild drive. This drive begins at a toll booth at the base where they charge $31 for a car & driver and $9 for an additional adult passenger. You’ll be getting an informative audio CD, printed instructions for driving, free admission to Mt. Washington Observatory museum and of course the famous bumper sticker with the text “THIS CAR CLIMBED MT. WASHINGTON”.
I must say this was a nerve-wracking yet awe-inspiring drive to the sky. This drive is not for the faint-hearted who are wary of heights and tight roads. It is 8 miles of hairpin turns and gorgeous scenery. It is a narrow road with two-way traffic and no guard rails. Experience, confidence and a vehicle in top condition are a must, if you decide to drive yourself up (else you can opt for a guided van tour, where steering would be in somebody else’s hands and you can have a sigh of relief). As you go up you realize that greenery is fading away and you end up being on a rocky path.
During this 30-minute scenic trip, you will find adventure at each turn. Once you reach the top, the marvelous vista will make your drive worth it. At the top, it was cold and windy, even in spring. When we arrived, it was 26°F (-3°C) with a wind speed of 27 mph (45 kph). So, bring your jackets and layer up before you get out of the car. The view was incredible for miles & miles. From the observatory, you can have 360° views of the surrounding areas including up to 4 states (Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont), Canada and the Atlantic Ocean. The view was undoubtedly “top-notch”, literally.
At the summit, there is Mt. Washington Observatory which was established in 1932 to study the world’s extreme weather conditions. It is a non-profit organization which is supported by donors & corporate partners. There is also a Sherman Adams Visitor Center which houses a cafeteria, restrooms, gift shop and believe-it-or-not a post office too. You can send friends and family a post card from the summit of Mount Washington with a unique, exclusive cancellation stamp that you can only get from the top of Mount Washington! There is also an extreme weather museum at the top; offers some interesting history and perspectives of life at the top of the world. There is the Historic Tip Top House, originally a mid-1800’s hotel, restored in the 1960’s as a museum.
I was wondering whether tourism would be closed during harsh winter. Heck no. Wintertime is when the Mt. Washington Snow Coaches take folks up through the treeline for an experience like no other (the thought itself gives me goosebumps). If you’re into winter activities like snowshoeing, tubing, and cross-country skiing, you can buy a “Trails Total” ticket which will get you on a Snow Coach and give you ski, tube, and snowshoe rentals.
After soaking in such a mystical panoramic view, we started our drive back to the base. All drivers have been advised to put their cars in first gear while descending. Even with that, you might want to pull off at one or two of the pullouts to cool your car brakes, and a spot that collects water for your car radiator.
Mt. Washington Auto Road is an unforgettable experience worthy of your bucket list.
If you are an ice-cream lover and wouldn’t mind gorging on ice-cream even when the temperature outside is below freezing point; there is a perfect place for you called “Trail End Ice-Cream” at Intervale. They have a wide range of homemade flavors which they serve in enormous portions. We went for two scoops of the sundae in an almond bowl. It was a superb experience having delicious ice cream while enjoying the gorgeous view of Mt. Washington.
Hopefully, we will come soon again to this Granite state which has so many adventurous experiences to offer.
(Now I’m convincing my husband to put that bumper sticker on the car to flaunt the successful drive to the highest peak of the north-east. Hopefully, I’ll be succeeded).
Till then enjoy reading & keep traveling!!!!!
