New Hampshire Travel Forum

Last year I drove to Franconia, Lincoln, Conway enjoying the Kancagamus highway foliage route. Thanks for some of you who provided the tips.

This time, I am planning to drive to MOunt Washington. If I see the information available in web, it is a kind of scary. Please let me know whether there is any chance of missing direction or getting into trouble. Once I reach the top of Mount Washington, what is there to see? And in a auto gear car, do I need to travel in a lower gear (D3) instead of normal drive (D).

The car will most likely take care of downshifting. If you don't have snow and ice and the day is clear, you'll have incredible views. The only trouble you might get into is the weather. It can be very nasty up there.

Also, try for a shot of Tuckerman's Ravine which is infamous with back country skiiers.

glad you liked my "old swimming hole" - the Kancamagus. the river stays nice and cool even when the lakes in the area heat up in August.

Check the weather BEFORE you pay to drive up there. It's cloudy about half the time on Mount Washington, meaning you might well pay to look out a window into the fog. As noted above, weather can change VERY rapidly, so a weather report stating "10% chance of rain" could mean you'd be driving downhill in horrendous weather.

> what is there to see?
Spectacular views *IF* the weather is clear. Nothing if it's cloudy.

When I went down Mount Washington, I kept our car in lower gear most of the time, the way I do when driving down most mountains. It's either that or using your brakes the whole way down, the latter NOT recommended.

Any CHANCE of getting into trouble? Yes. But if you pay attention to the weather and drive intelligently while on a mountain road, your chances are pretty small.

OMG, it's so scary driving on Mt Washington! AND sitting in the passenger seat too! Ha ha. The views are breathtaking though. I was there about 3 yrs ago and we were pretty lucky - pretty clear views. Definitely drive in a lower gear.

If you're the driver, keep your eyes on the road! There are stop points along the way for you to see the view though. Some points of the road are really narrow so be careful.

I see no one told you what's up on top of Mt. Washington to see and do. Not much; I was there 7-8 years ago. Small gift shop with small snack area, but if you get a chance to talk to the people that actually live up there year round it's a learning experience. They only grocery shop once every six months (the local grocery store lets them shop after hours and they sometimes fill 20-25 grocery carts with items. Very interesting. Absolutely the most awesome views up there. Drive carefully and pay attention and you'll be okay. No railings along the road so it can be quite scarey if you're in the passenger seat. Very very very worth the drive and effort!

Thank You All for your tips and comments!!!