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".
Latest summits
"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
"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
"Solo. Final Peak of my Northern Presidential Traverse. I decided to skip Mount Clay, the wind and cold had taken a lot out of me and I still had to make my way up Washington and down to Pinkham Notch, so I didn't want to overdo it. It was my first time up here in the Presidentials and I made a mistake when I got to the cog railway and ended up on the Westside Connector Trail and had to take the Crawford Path to the summit. Kim had driven my car up and met me on top and we had a nice lunch inside out of the wind and cold. My route down I decided to take the Tuckerman Ravine Trail which was a pretty awesome trail in my opinion. Next time up here I have to do the southern presidentials to continue working toward my NH48 and my NE115. " — LGH-Tom • Oct 19, 2016
"Nice Hike up the Ammo trl to the lake in the clouds! Clouds started moving in on way up to Washington summit. In the clouds on the summit, raced the weather on way down Jewell." — blackwolf_03278 • Sep 10, 2016
"NoBo AT Thru Hike 2016.
Kim made it to the summit of Mount Washington, but some bad weather came in along with high winds, so she took a shuttle down for the night and will head back up tomorrow morning to continue on. " — Kim-Stilson • Aug 29, 2016
"Tuckerman Ravine up. Sunny and warm at the trailhead, started with a t-shirt and shorts. Summit had sustained winds of 61 with gusts at 75 mph, and a wind chill in the 20's. Hermit Lake was the turning point weather-wise, as the hike only got windier the farther into the clouds we went. Awesome hike though. " — scottheaney • Aug 22, 2016
"It was very cool to accomplish hiking the highest peak not only in New Hampshire, but all of New England. Half of my view was in the clouds when I got to the summit, but it was amazing to be up there nonetheless. I took the Crawford Path after bagging Monroe, and was cramping all the way to the finish. The rocky finish down the Jewell Trail wasn't all that enjoyable for my knees, but it was still a great day of hiking in NH>" — HikeLikeMike • Aug 20, 2016
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