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All the United States New Hampshire Jackson Mount Washington

Mount Washington

The highest point in the state of New Hampshire, and while unlikely "the worst weather in the world," it sure seems that way to hikers.

Jackson, New Hampshire

Added By
Thomas Harper
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The Summit of Mount Washington   thomasharper / Atlas Obscura User
The Summit of Mount Washington   thomasharper / Atlas Obscura User
Mount Washington Cog Railway   Wiki User: Kremerbi
  e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
The highest wind ever observed   valerie1980 / Atlas Obscura User
The observatory with a cog train   valerie1980 / Atlas Obscura User
One of the locomotives coming up the Cog railway  
Another cog railway locomotive  
Panoramic view from the top of Mt. Washington  
Cog Railway Coal-Fired Steam Locomotive   malemay / Atlas Obscura User
View from Mt. Washington  
Mount Washington State Park sign  
View from Mt. Washington  
Cog railway locomotive  
The view of the Presidential Range from the summit   valerie1980 / Atlas Obscura User
Your “Worst Weather in the World” Forecast   thomasharper / Atlas Obscura User
  e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
The Waumbek, one of the Cog Railway’s steam locomotives.   icrader42095 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Abenaki called it Agiocochook, the home of the Great Spirit.

The first federal survey team named it Mount Washington after the young nation's first president. At 6,288 feet above sea level, the highest mountain in New Hampshire is home to the "worst weather in the world."

Several storm tracks converge over the mountain, and the results are quickly changing dangerous weather. Clear skies provide a spectacular view in every direction, but are very rare. Hurricane-force winds occur at the summit on average 110 days of the year, and most structures near the summit must also be chained to the rock to prevent damage. Over 300 inches of snow on average blanket the mountain every winter, and sleet can occur in summer.

Over 130 hikers have died on this mountain and others in the Presidential Range due to avalanches and underestimating the weather. An observatory near the summit is staffed by full-time personnel and volunteers in eight-day shifts in the tempestuous weather.

Despite the predictably hazardous weather, prepared hikers have a choice of 12 main routes up the mountain, and other visitors may drive up the Mount Washington Auto Road or take a train using the Mount Washington Cog Railway. While the Cog has mostly switched over to biodiesel locomotives, they still run one daily steam locomotive excursion. If you want a unique experience, make sure to plan in advance for it.

At the summit is the Sherman Adams Summit Building with a cafeteria, gift shop, and post office. The Tip Top House, the second stone building at the summit and a former hotel, was recently renovated and is now a historic site.

Known as "the Rockpile" to locals, Mount Washington inspired many artists and writers of New England as its majesty towers above all the land.

“I see the stanzas rise around me, verse upon verse, far and near, like the mountains from Agiocochook…” - Henry David Thoreau, 1841

Related Tags

State High Points Geographic Markers Geological Oddities Geology

Community Contributors

Added By

thomasharper

Edited By

Rachel, icrader42095, mikewalker, ericextreme...

  • Rachel
  • icrader42095
  • mikewalker
  • ericextreme
  • valerie1980
  • e1savage
  • malemay

Published

May 8, 2013

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Sources
  • http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/19/travel/appalachian-trail-spirituality/
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Washington_%28New_Hampshire%29
  • http://mtwashingtonautoroad.com/
  • http://www.summitpost.org/mount-washington/150248
  • http://www.thecog.com/
  • http://www.mountwashington.org/
Mount Washington
Mt Washington Auto Rd
Jackson, New Hampshire, 03846
United States
44.270578, -71.303231
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Jackson

Jackson

New Hampshire

Places 3

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Jackson, New Hampshire

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Jackson, New Hampshire

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Jackson

New Hampshire

Places 3

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