The time has come to hit the road - the Mt. Washington Auto Road, to be specific. In 2011, the 7.6 mile road filled with twists, turns and 12-degree inclines turns 150 years old. The anniversary will be celebrated with a year's worth of special events.
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Opened to horse-drawn vehicles in 1861, the road up the highest mountain in the Northeast is billed as "America’s Oldest Manmade Tourist Attraction" at mtwashingtonautoroad.com. The mountain itself is 6,288 feet, and home to some of the world's most severe weather, unpredictable and ever-changing.
The World's Worst Weather
The Auto Road is narrow, has no guardrails and weather conditions may change around any bend. On a clear day, the views at the weather station at mountain's peak extend to the Atlantic Ocean and well into Canada and western New England. That's on a clear day. On a cloudy or foggy day, the view can be limited to a few feet, all a part of the unpredictable experience.
Some days are hot, the Portland Press Herald reported Kenyan runner Daniel Kihara said the heat "was almost too much" as he won the 41st annual Run to the Clouds in 2001. Temperatures were between 85 and 90 degrees at the base of the road in Glen, N.H., and above 60 degrees at the summit. Some days are damp, and snow flurries in summer are not unheard of on the mountain.
The Auto Road is not open to vehicles in the winter, but when weather permits, specially modified vans using treads instead of tires take visitors to the top. By early May, depending on the severity and length of a northern New England winter, the road is opened to individual drivers, but generally to the end of the tree line.
Racing to the Top
Before the road is opened, the racing season begins with the annual ski race on March 6. The race begins on nearby Great Glen Ski Trails and climbs 2,200 feet to the tree line. On June 13 and June 16, motorcyclists have exclusive use of the road. Bicyclists can test their mettle on the mountain twice with the Newton's Revenge ride over the original road course used for the annual Bicycle Climb. The annual climb will be held Aug. 20.
Racing events will be capped with the return of the Climb to the Clouds, where drivers tackle the curves and hills in a timed event. The actual anniversary of the Mt. Washington Auto Road will be celebrated Aug. 8, commemorating the day the road opened.
The Mt. Washington is located eight miles north of Jackson, N.H. and 12 miles south of Gorham, N.H. on Route 16. The ubiquitous "This Car Climbed Mt. Washington" bumper stickers are available, as are CDs or cassettes with audio tours for the drive up and down the mountain.
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The drive may not be for everyone, a sign at the base of the road warns those who are afraid of heights "may not appreciate this driving experience." Guided tours are available and the Mt. Washington Cog Railway provides another way to ascend the mountain. Visitors should be certain to bring appropriate gear because of rapidly changing weather conditions on the mountain.
Author Sunil S.
Booking.com
Opened to horse-drawn vehicles in 1861, the road up the highest mountain in the Northeast is billed as "America’s Oldest Manmade Tourist Attraction" at mtwashingtonautoroad.com. The mountain itself is 6,288 feet, and home to some of the world's most severe weather, unpredictable and ever-changing.
The World's Worst Weather
The Auto Road is narrow, has no guardrails and weather conditions may change around any bend. On a clear day, the views at the weather station at mountain's peak extend to the Atlantic Ocean and well into Canada and western New England. That's on a clear day. On a cloudy or foggy day, the view can be limited to a few feet, all a part of the unpredictable experience.
Some days are hot, the Portland Press Herald reported Kenyan runner Daniel Kihara said the heat "was almost too much" as he won the 41st annual Run to the Clouds in 2001. Temperatures were between 85 and 90 degrees at the base of the road in Glen, N.H., and above 60 degrees at the summit. Some days are damp, and snow flurries in summer are not unheard of on the mountain.
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The Auto Road is not open to vehicles in the winter, but when weather permits, specially modified vans using treads instead of tires take visitors to the top. By early May, depending on the severity and length of a northern New England winter, the road is opened to individual drivers, but generally to the end of the tree line.
Racing to the Top
Before the road is opened, the racing season begins with the annual ski race on March 6. The race begins on nearby Great Glen Ski Trails and climbs 2,200 feet to the tree line. On June 13 and June 16, motorcyclists have exclusive use of the road. Bicyclists can test their mettle on the mountain twice with the Newton's Revenge ride over the original road course used for the annual Bicycle Climb. The annual climb will be held Aug. 20.
Racing events will be capped with the return of the Climb to the Clouds, where drivers tackle the curves and hills in a timed event. The actual anniversary of the Mt. Washington Auto Road will be celebrated Aug. 8, commemorating the day the road opened.
The Mt. Washington is located eight miles north of Jackson, N.H. and 12 miles south of Gorham, N.H. on Route 16. The ubiquitous "This Car Climbed Mt. Washington" bumper stickers are available, as are CDs or cassettes with audio tours for the drive up and down the mountain.
Booking.com
The drive may not be for everyone, a sign at the base of the road warns those who are afraid of heights "may not appreciate this driving experience." Guided tours are available and the Mt. Washington Cog Railway provides another way to ascend the mountain. Visitors should be certain to bring appropriate gear because of rapidly changing weather conditions on the mountain.
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Author Sunil S.
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