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.
- 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".
Routes
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95 summits • 12.4 mi • 4,997 ft gain • 8 hr 51 min • Class 2
25 summits • 6.2 mi • 3,021 ft gain • 6 hr 11 min • Class 1
18 summits • 8.3 mi • 4,339 ft gain • 7 hr 30 min • Class 2
18 summits • 18.1 mi • 6,435 ft gain • 11 hr 40 min • Class 1
14 summits • 10.7 mi • 4,362 ft gain • 9 hr 17 min
1 summit • 14.8 mi • 7,164 ft gain • 9 hr 11 min
1 summit • 19.0 mi • 7,788 ft gain • 12 hr 51 min
1 summit • 25.2 mi • 8,924 ft gain
Latest summits
"I hiked approached from the north but summitted from the south. A red-lining inspired hike up Great Gulf Tr, then picking off some random trails around the summit cone. Not many people on the summit today. Got a hot dog and ice cream bar inside. Descended via Nelson Crag Tr and Chandler Brook Tr. Met some fellow red-liners on the trail. " — newenglandwarrior • Sep 20, 2019
"Single-day Presidential Traverse to finish off 3 days of peakbagging and Appalachian Trail redlining in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire. The Traverse, spanning Pinkham Notch to Crawford Notch, covered 25 miles and 8,300 feet of elevation gain in 14 hours moving. The summit of Washington was socked in, but the wind had died down. We did the pedestrian thing and grabbed a slice of pizza before continuing on. " — wacbravo • Sep 9, 2019
"What a beautiful Sept day. Temps were in the mid 40's and little wind on summit of Washington. Tuckermans ravine trail was awesome, first time up this side of mountain. Views allday long and nice waterfalls!" — blackwolf_03278 • Sep 5, 2019
"Last week we were all set to go camping ... a nice long weekend of relaxing. At the last minute our friends talked us into joining them to complete one of the Northeast Ultra 8's - the Presidential Traverse - 24 miles and 9200 feet of gain over some tough terrain. It was not my best day, I wasn't feeling it and I was slower - thankfully these guys were not worried about pace and instead they were all about enjoying the day, working together to get it done and keeping it fun - so thankful for a great crew!" — deb-and-rob • Aug 31, 2019
"Great weather to attempt a winter ascent of Mt Wash. Mid 20s, relatively low wind and complete sunshine. Lots of people on Ammonusuc. At least half were skiers. Crazy winds a top Monroe (40 mph) made it interesting. Otherwise a fantastic day for a hike.Snowshoe to the hut, then crampons for the two summits." — Alohabuffy • Mar 9, 2019
"A Presi day. Time to see how much trail breaking I would have to do. Parked down at the Ammo trailhead, then road walked up to the Cog RR. Discovered that the Ammo Tr was broken out. Made easy work of it and up the slope. Then I passed the people breaking the trail. So I teamed up with them. Andrew and I led the way to Lake of the Clouds Hut. Then both of us summitted Monroe without the ladies. We then returned and headed up Washington. Minimal wind. We then headed back down. Ankle deep snow the entire time. I was drained of energy." — newenglandwarrior • Nov 15, 2018
"2 semaines solo de pure plaisir à faire du hiking à différentes places dont les Whites Moutains. LA grosse journée où je tente trois gros sommets dont le mont Washington. Ce fut une réussite de A à Z. En beaucoup moins de temps que je le pensais et aussi plus facilement que je m'y attendais. Je monte par la trail ammonoosuc jusqu'à la Hut, direction Monroe, ensuite retour vers Washington, pause diner, direction Clay: ensuite Jefferson, je vire de bord pour me diriger vers la Jewel trail jusqu'au stationnement... Oufff! Très belle journée malgré que les sommets avaient la tête dans les nuages, ce qui est normal pour les Whites... J'en conserver un très beau souvenir." — fsoucy76 • Sep 24, 2018
"Epic climb up the Nelson Crag Trail to the summit. Since we took a little longer to summit than previously hoped for, we ended up taking the hiker shuttle down to Pinkham Notch" — HikeLikeMike • Sep 7, 2018
"Used the cog train to get to the top (time restrictions). Went part way down the mountain then back up during the short 1 hour we were allowed at the top. Will return one day to do from the base to the top." — donizen • Sep 2, 2018
"Very cold and windy up at Mt. Washington. Still packed full of people and didn't have the time to wait for a summit sign photo. Too many tourists and I wanted to make it to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut in time for dinner." — dmcosker • Aug 23, 2018
"The weather was mixed, some rain, sun, clear sky and overcast. We reached the summit via the Jewell trail. The trail is gradual and easy until tree line, then there are switchbacks that are gradual but very rocky. Below summit we had views but on top we were in the clouds." — hbotc • Aug 13, 2018
"Great trip with Mr. Duquette. The morning started off overcast and the submit was in the clouds. The weather improved during the climb up and blue sky emerged on the submit. We had great views and a great hike!" — doug0379 • Aug 10, 2018
"Decided to test myself and summit twice in a day. Ascended via Lion's Head and half hiked half slid down an icy Ammonoosuc Ravine-fully committed with home back on the other side of the mountain." — cheeseishappiness • Oct 28, 2017
"After Isolation, I followed the Davis Path up to Washington. I was feeling it by the time I got to the summit. I spent 16 min in line waiting to touch the summit sign. I then went down Tuckerman's Ravine Tr, making great time. Between the overnight hike and now this hike, I was really tired. " — newenglandwarrior • Sep 23, 2017
"Started at valley way in an attempt for the full Presi traverse North to South. Slower going than we had hoped and the weather was very wet, cold and windy. Amazing experience and proud of my partner for making it to Washington summit. Definitely would do it again. Bring a map! " — cindyloujoe • Aug 9, 2017
"Drove up the Auto Road to watch the sunrise. Met a lady who got married on the summit! Lots of people on this sunny but windy morning. Peaceful way to start the day. On the way down did a side trip to Ball Crag." — SteveM_StickMan • Jul 30, 2017
"Amazing day with sunny skies, temps in the 20's and to top it off very little wind. It was an incredible day to hit Monroe and Washington and I would say the hundred other people up there would agree!
Snowshoes up to the hut, crampons to Monroe and Washington, over Washington to Jewell we switched to microspikes. At treeline we returned to snow shoes.
Fantastic weekend to bag the last of my presidentials (winter)." — shay-shay • Mar 18, 2017
"After hiking Jefferson, we decided to continue on to Washington and see what happens. We hooked up with the Cog RR and followed that up and we got blasted by some fierce wind, forcing us to layer up. At the summit, the wind was minimal. We continued on towards Monroe. " — newenglandwarrior • Feb 21, 2017
"Mont Washington
Vendredi 11 nov
Départ Gatineau 8h/ arriver 3h (7h)
Départ randonnées 3h40 arriver hermit lake 6h (2h20) Détour de 1.1 miles (sentier tucker man via raymond) Samedi 12 nov / sommet à 6288 pieds (1917 mètres ) Départ randonnées 8h/sommet 11h30 (3h30) / sentier lion's head.
Météo
-5/ sommet -25 (avec facteur héolien ) /vent : nord est a 64 miles/h / bourrasque 101 miles/h ensoleillé Descente 12h / arriver au lean too 2h (2h)
(5h30) condition mixte (roche /glace/ neige).
Dimanche 13 nov
Départ 8h/arriver 10h (2h)
Poids des sacs à dos à l'arrivée!
Phil: 42
Dan: 45
Alex: 42
Marc: 52 lbs
" — alexgauthier • Nov 12, 2016
"19th US Highpoint. We went from the Grey Knob cabin via the Grey Knob and Gulfside trails in sustained 40 mph winds and < 100 feet visibility. We were going to take the Crawford Path down but at the top we said "That's it, no more hiking" and took the Cog Railway down" — Quinn-and-Phyllis-McCutchen • Oct 21, 2016
Photos
Awards
Challenges
About peakery awards
Log successful summits 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.