9-11 Hiking Mt. Washington...Part 1

Today is 9-11th and it was the day we

picked to hike up Mt. Washington.

(the view from Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail)

We started our hike up the mountain a little later then we wanted to start. So instead of parking below in the hiking parking. We went up to the Cog Railway and started there, which has a small 0.3 mile trail that connects to the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail. To park at the Cog for hiking it cost $5.00. You can park at the low parking lot and walk up to the trail. I would have to say that I enjoyed the pool, waterfalls and cascades along this trail. Here are some of my pictures of the hike up to our first stop, which was the Lake of the Clouds...

When we connected onto the Ammonoosuc Ravine Tr. this is the sign we saw..

If you want to stay at the Lake of the Clouds, you need to make a 

reservation so you can have a spot!

They had a Sign of a person who lost their life hiking

up this Mountain. There has been 145 people who have lost their

lives in these parts! Can read about each one at the top of Mt. Washington!

The Gem Pool:)

The Gorge (80 yards from the Trail)

A beautiful sight as I crossed over this river following the trail

Heading up 2.1 miles from the marker, we can across The Lake of the Clouds Hut. I love this hut, but sadly you couldn't really go inside and enjoy it for they were cleaning. The hut was closed but you could still get water and use the restrooms. 

You can see by this picture all the mats were outside being washed. Good to know that the

place is always being well kept up for all the hikers that pass through here!

This is Mt. Monroe and as we were at the Hut, we heard a song called "Taps"

and saw them lowering the flag for 9-11.

This is part one...lots of pics here...and more pics to come of my trip up Mt. Washington on 9-11....

Leaf Peeper Season is coming...great places to stay!

This is a great time of year to be hiking up in the White Mountains. The trees are turning colors, the air is cool and there is so much "ah" around! I love this time of year to get outdoors and get hiking, biking and taking walks on the paths. So when you come from other areas of New England or even further away, you might not know the best places to stay at and what are around them. Here are a few great spots that I have enjoyed over the years and places around them you might love to see!

Our first Stop:

Jackson NH : This is a great town to stay in when you are up here in the Whites. There are some beautiful hotels and lodges to stay at such as Inn at Thorn Hill and Spa (which is award winning), Whitney's Inn at Jackson which has been around since 1840's,  Glen Oaks Inn, Inn at Ellis River and much more! When you stay around here there are so many places to hike and see! Pinkham Notch is just a hop down Route 16! There are tons of places to explore in Pinkham Notch, which as Auto Road up to Mt. Washington, Bike Trails at Great Glen Trails, hike up Tuckerman Ravine, visit the Lost Pond, see Glen Ellis Falls, go up Mt. Wildcat (Four Peaks) one is also the ski resort and zipline! There is so much to see on that road!
Plus if you want to head another direction, go over to Crawford Notch on route 302! There are lots of trails to hike, mountains to see lovely views from, stop by & see the Mt. Washington Hotel! So beautiful. Also on this road is the Cog Railway up to Mt. Washington, and two trails if hiking is your style! There is also Bretton Woods is near by!
If you want to head over to North Conway there are some great places to eat and places to shop! When you are in Conway, you are not far from the Kancamagus Highway where you can hike up Mt. Chocorua!
Staying in Jackson is such a great idea for you are in the heart of such a beautiful area for the fall! You will be happy about your stay here!
I say all this because, as a kid, we traveled through these parts all the time, since I didn't live far away and loved it most when it was Fall:) Even as an adult, I travel here with my family to see the leaves through Jackson and around the area!

Our Second stop will be Lincoln NH on the next post!

Mt. Washington Cog Railway...AWESOME

Cog Railway at Mt. Washington

I remember that last time, I went hiking up Mt. Washington,

I was told that the weather was so bad on the top,

that the only way down was to go on the Cog Railway.

This is an amazing experience! 

Let me tell you about the Cog Railway at Mt. Washington!

The Cog Railway starts at the Base Road at Marshfield Base Station, 

this is about six miles off of Route 302! There is a sign on route 302 so

you can't miss it! The road to turn on is right across from

Bretton Woods. When you get to the Base, you can see the 

trains coming up and down from the Mt. Washington.

The trip to the top is about three hours!

This Picture is at the Base where you pick up your ride up

the mountain to the top. The Cog Railraod was

 the first mountain-climbing cogs to the 

top of a mountain.

The views you will see on the way to

and from the top are beautiful and amazing!

This is one of the views from the Cog Railway when

going from the base to the top of

Mt. Washington! 

The amazing part is that you on the side of the mountain

at times seeing over cliffs. 

The tracks that these cogs run on are great!

Here are the tracks, on the side of the mountain as we 

travel higher up. It was a foggy day. I love this

picture and how the tracks flow around the edge.

The fun part is that on the way up and down the trains will pass

each other. One has to stop and let the other by...and here is a 

picture of other train going by on it's way up the mountain.

When you do get to the top of Mt. Washington, you will see

the Mount Washington Observatory Center and Museum.

There is a gift shop and place to eat inside!

The views from the top are beautiful!

The picture was at the top of Mt. Washington. Again, it was a foggy day

but it was still very beautiful.

If you are interested in the Cog Railway and want to learn more

about this amazing train ride up Mt. Washington

go to 

 http://www.thecog.com/

and enjoy your adventure!