Elevation
6,288 ft / 1,917 m
Region
Highlights
- Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern US and the most prominent peak in the Eastern US.
- Famous for its dangerously erratic weather - be prepared in any season for huge swings in weather.
- Long held the world record for the highest wind gust directly measured at the Earth's surface, 231 mph. February 2023 set the US record for coldest wind chill at -108 F.
- Many trails lead to the summit, including the Appalachian Trail, which crosses the summit.
- Lakes of the Clouds Hut, one of the Appalachian Mountain Club's eight mountain huts, is located on one of the mountain's shoulders.
- The mountain has two prominent glacial cirques. Craggy Huntington Ravine offers rock and ice climbing in an alpine setting. And by far the more famous Tuckerman Ravine is New England's classic late-spring pilgrimage for spring backcountry skiing as late as June.
- Unfortunately, an auto road and also a cog railway lead to the summit.
- Agiochook (also spelled Agiocochook) is the name used by some Native American tribes. It means "the top is so hidden" or "the summit of the highest mountain".
- Mt. Washington (Agiocochook) was the northern termination of a trip taken by Henry David Thoreau, as described in his book "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" (Page 258 of the Easton Press edition).
Routes
96 climbs • 12.4 mi • 4,997 ft gain • 8 hr 1 min • Class 2
25 climbs • 6.2 mi • 3,021 ft gain • 6 hr 11 min • Class 1
19 climbs • 8.3 mi • 4,339 ft gain • 5 hr 41 min • Class 2
18 climbs • 18.1 mi • 6,435 ft gain • 11 hr 40 min • Class 1
14 climbs • 10.7 mi • 4,362 ft gain • 9 hr 17 min • Class 1
3 climbs • 9.1 mi • 4,330 ft gain • 9 hr 15 min
2 climbs • 9.3 mi • 4,214 ft gain • 10 hr 0 min
Latest climbs
"They weren’t kidding about the exposure on this peak. It was a cloudy fall day at the bottom and Polar Express up top.
~6 hours from leaving the trailhead to returning (up Ammonoosuc, down Jewell)." — lex_isamess • Oct 9, 2024
"Presidential Traverse, NH - Day 2 - Lake of the Clouds Hut to Madison Spring Hut. Woke up early. Caught breakfast at LotC Hut and then gunned it up to Washington. Bought some stickers, snickers and a Red Bull then continued the traverse around to Clay, Jefferson, Adams and then dropped into Madison Hut for the night." — wiweasel • Jul 5, 2024
"As far as weather in the Presidentials go, could not have asked for a better day. Clear skies with only minimal cloud cover later in the afternoon, mild temperatures, and even the forecasted 10mph winds dropped to a light breeze. Car spot with a friend parking at the Base Station and I drove the group to Caps Ridge Trailhead. We set off from the trailhead just after 8am. Starting off at 3000ft. meant we were already in a subalpine forest and quickly emerged at the first optional "cap" about a mile in. After briefly dipping back into the trees, we entered the alpine zone and began scrambling up the caps. They weren't as intimidating as I expected and I enjoyed the variety in terrain. Soon after the last cap is the intersection with The Cornice which marks the beginning of climbing over boulders until we reached the summit just before 11:15am for my 14th NH 4000 Footer. The summit area is a relatively flat boulder field with 2 larger piles. The western pile is the true summit, and both were swarming with giant moth-like insects. We didn't stay at the summit of Mt. Jefferson for too long on account of the giant insects, so we climbed down the boulders on the Mt. Jefferson Loop, linked..." — JCalautti • Jun 16, 2024
"A Monroe, Washington, Jefferson hike for my Grid and calendar day. Hiked up Ammonoosuc Ravine Tr. From Gem Pond, I used my microspikes on the ascent. I ascended into a cloud and had no views on Monroe and on Washington. On the way over to Jefferson, the cloud cover was breaking up. I dropped my snowshoes just past Jewell Tr. On Jefferson, I had views, but Washington was still in the clouds. I headed back to Jewell Tr and down that, making good time coming down. I was beat after today's hike. Saw a short tailed weasel below the summit of Jeff!!!" — newenglandwarrior • May 3, 2024
"Took advantage of some warm October weather for this climb. The summit had already received several inches of snow and traction was recommended. But we found all the snow was gone, light winds, in the low 50s on top. Not much sun either. Up Ammonoosuc to Crawford, down Great Gulf to Jewell." — Alohabuffy • Oct 26, 2023
"Hiked up huntington ravine trail one day after 3-4 inches of rain and flood warnings, which was probably not a smart choice in hindsight, but we made it all the way to the technical part of the trail, which was very treacherous due to a stream running down the smooth rock face. We sadly had to turn around after one of the members in our party slipped twicr and lost all confidence" — noahthackeray • Jul 17, 2023
"Were fortunate to have a weather window between major northeast storms this week. Basically an 8 mile boulder hop. Pretty beautiful despite the crowds. An odd feeling to hike to the summit and then see all the cars trains and tourists taking their picture with the summit sign.
" — BryHong8 • Jul 15, 2023
"The weather ended up turning out very nicely. Up from Pinkham notch via Lions Head. Across the Alpine Garden but still not many flowers. Up over Ball Crag to summit of Washington. The Cog had just dumped a 100 people off so the place was swarming. Mostly cloudy with light winds, no rain or fog at the top. Down to the Lake of the Clouds and Monroe summit. Finished walking out Ammooosuc Ravine." — Alohabuffy • Jun 20, 2023
"We did a loop to include Monroe and Washington. Up Ammo to the Lake in the Clouds Hut. Dropped our backpacks and went up Monroe. Came back and picked up our packs and ascended Washington. Took Jewell Trail down for the loop. Windy but nice conditions and views. Bluebird day for this hike. Ammo is steep especially towards the hut. The temps were favorable at 55 when we started and 77 upon completion. Poor planning led me to run out of water with about 3 miles left to hike. That will never happen again. Overall nice hike. Washington is a little easier than expected with the exception of the rock hoping from the hut to the summit. Lots of places to slip. Fortunately it was dry. I did twist my ankle on a rock but managed to finish the hike with a minor limp. " — GreggC • Aug 21, 2022
"After first driving up the Auto Road for the first sunrise drive this year, and the wind died down from 50mph to about 25mph, I hiked over the loop to Mt. Clay, and ended up climbing back up the Crawford Path to the summit. I had my doubts about this possibility during the sunrise, but it turned out to be an awesome hiking day. Met some thru hikers and lots of day hikers along the way and got some long time peaks accomplished." — SteveM_StickMan • Jul 24, 2022
Photos
Awards
Challenges
About peakery awards
Log climbs on peakery to earn awards:
Peak Badges: Earn a special badge for each unique peak you summit. See all of your badges on your Badges page.
First Ascent Award: Only 1 available per peak. Goes to the first peakery member to log a successful summit of a peak. Snag this award and the peak will forever bear your name.
King of the Mountain Award: Only 1 available per peak. Summit a peak more times than any other member. Beware: this award can be lost!
Summit Steward: Summit a peak at least 5 times to become one of its Summit Stewards. As Steward of a peak, you’re encouraged to keep that peak’s info up-to-date on peakery and spread goodwill on your future climbs up the peak.