Mt. Washington

• Posted on July 28, 2009 at 7:35 pm

Three times a year, the auto road to the Mt Washington Observatory opens in the wee hours to allow drivers to reach the summit in time for sunrise.  This past Sunday was one of them, and despite lifelong residence in New England, it was my first time up Mt Washington.  We drove up to the Lakes Region area of New Hampshire Friday night.  Saturday night we tried to get in bed early.  At 2am Sunday, we were on the road, snacks in hand, and loud music keeping us up.  It was pitch black out, with cloud cover obfuscating stars and the moon, and very few street lights.  Even on the highway, our headlights were the only light in many places, as we wound along narrow roads, through one tiny, rural town after another.  The moose crossing signs grew increasingly foreboding as the miles worn on.  The innocent yellow sign with a black silhouette of antlers gave way to giant orange highway department warnings.  The huge boards read, “Brake for moose.  It could save your life.  HUNDREDS OF COLLISIONS.”  Well, if that doesn’t keep your eyes pealed, I don’t know what does.  As it happens, we had no elken encounters. 

We reached the base of the mountain a little after 4am.  It was still completely dark out, but there were other cars around.  After paying our toll (which wasn’t small!) we received instructions on staying in a low gear, right of way, and a friendly reminder that those who fear heights should not proceed.  Haha, really?  Someone who’s afraid of heights shouldn’t go up 6,300 feet?  Good to know. 

As we started the winding path up, it started to get a little light around us.  We could see the woods, some animals, and of course, the ever-narrowing path ahead.  The miles and elevation are marked as you go.  By about 3,000 feet there was a shear drop off the edge of the road.  By 4,000 feet, it seemed perilous for two wide vehicles to pass each other.  After about 5,000 feet, the fog was too thick to see a foot in front of the car.  After 7 of  8 the miles to the top visibility was gone.  It was pretty scary, because the road is narrow and drops straight down.  Turning around was a little hairraising.  We wanted to watch the sunrise from the very top, but with all that fog, continuing the last quarter mile only would have cost us time.  We went back down to a viewing area around 5,500 feet. 

Rolling down the windows gave us two unavoidable sensations.  One was the whipping wind.  Home to the world’s worst weather, and the fastest recorded windspeed ever on Earth, this was no small breeze.  Being a lightweight, I didn’t even feel comfortable getting out of the car.  The other senastion, however, was all pleasure.  The moss on the rocks has the most amazing smell.  I don’t know what it’s called, but it was sweet, strong, and all around us. 

After a little while, we headed down to a couple more viewing spots, where we had some of the most incredible views of the mountains.  It was still pretty cloudy, but Mt Washington is cloudy 60% of the time.  We were able to see the sun, a piercing hot pink, amid lavender clouds and dark green, lush trees.  It was beautiful and rewarding.  Despite the weather and early morning, Mt Washington’s views are well worth seeing. 

So, I can cross this one off my Bucket List.  But will Georgia give me an adventure like this one?  What can hold a candle to this?   I guess I’ll have to wait and see.  I’ve only been in the city and immediate area, so Atlantans, let me know what’s worth driving to in Georgia.  I’ll be there in 4 weeks!

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