Mt. Washington Van Questions

[Airedale1]

We have some friends coming up in July and they would like to go to the top of Mt Washington but they heard there is a van that will take you up and down. Anyone have any info on this or know where to source it? Do they allow dogs on the van? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[AmantiDelLago]

Go to mtwashingtonautoroad.com and you will find the info. The mobile site doesn't have all the info.

[Legionnaire70]

Personally, I would spend the extra $ and take the early morning coal fired cog. Much more fun I think. And a slower ride to enjoy the view.. Just my 2 cents...

[Chaselady]

We have done it all three ways, cog, van and self-drive. The Cog was very slow and really hot (it was August) driving your own car is almost as expensive as the van- and tough on your brakes, and you don't really dare to take advantage of the view! The van was the most fun, although a bit scary- depending on the driver.

[Dave R]

The van seems like a great way to do it. I hope you have fun.

If you do take your car, don't use your brakes much on the way down, just leave it in first gear (assuming it's an automatic). It sounds frantic, but does no damage and is much safer and easier on the car. In a stick shift car, second gear is probably the right choice.

I've done the trip three ways, cog, car and on foot. On foot was the best. It's actually a pretty easy hike. Mt Adams, an adjacent, smaller mountain is much tougher. I hated the cog railway. My neck was killing me from holding my head up on the steep parts.

[Happy Gourmand]

Do the Cog. My dad took us kids on it probably 60 years ago. I've also been up by car and by bike. I can hardly remember the details of those rides, but the experience of the cog will always be a fond memory.

[Janet]

Do the Cog or the van. We drove up in the Suburban and thought we were going off the cliff several times. Also hard for the driver to see the views as he's holding on for dear life

[Pineedles]

Not saying it could happen again, but I'll hike up rather than take the cog.

Here is the Associated Press article:

8 PERSONS KILLED IN N.H. COG RAILWAY CRASH.

74 OTHERS ARE HURT WHEN TRAIN PLUNGES INTO GORGE; GOV. KING ORDERS IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION OF DISASTER.

Mt. Washington, N.H. (AP) -- A mountain-climbing
rail excursion car jammed with Sunday sightseers lost its engine while backing down the historic cog track on 6,288-foot Mt. Washington and leaped into a gorge, killing eight persons and injuring at least 74.

Gov. John W. King, who rushed to the scene, ordered an immediate investigation by state Public Utilities Commission officials. The 98-year-old railroad, a popular tourist attraction on this scenic centerpiece in the White Mountain Presidential range, spans 3 1/2 miles - 3 miles on trestle.

Victims Listed.
State Police identified the victims as:
BEVERLY RICHMOND, 15, Putnam, Conn.
ERIC DAVIES, 7, Hampton, N.H.
MARY FRANK, 38, Warren, Mich.
KENT WOODWORTH, 9, New London, N.H.
SHIRLEY ZORZY, 22, Lynn, Mass.
CHARLES USHER, 55, Dover, N.H.
A 2-year-old child identified only as the "GROSS child of Brookline, Mass."
An unidentified female was the eighth victim.

At Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, CHARLES GROSS, 31; his wife GABY, 34, and their 3-year-old daughter MELANIE, of Brookline, Mass., were undergoing treatment today. Their relationship to the dead GROSS child was not determined immediately.

Three passengers on the ill-fated car were in critical condition at the Hanover hospital. They were RICHARD LESLIE, 49, of Madison, Ohio, a skull fracture and other injuries; NORRIS BLACKBURN, 68, of Memphis, Tenn., spine and other injuries, and MRS. MARIE BUXTON, 49, of Clifton, N.J., back injury.

Most of the injured were taken first to the Littleton Hospital, where doctors put a disaster plan into operation and called all available help. Some 25 doctors and about 40 nurses worked through the night.

The injured were rushed over twisting back mountain roads to the hospitals in northern New Hampshire and Vermont.
Teams of rescue workers needed some four hours to bring the injured and the dead to a base station.

It was not immediately determined how many were in the excursion car when it broke free and rolled down 500 feet before soaring from the cog track and crashing.

The accident happened about one-third of the way down the 3 1/2 miles of track along the west side of the 6,288-foot mountain in the center of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains.

The descent is usually made at four miles an hour with the locomotive in front of the one passenger car backing down.

A passenger, Bertrand Croteau, 32, of Thornton said that when the train reached the first switch Sunday "the locomotive began to shake and just fell off the road."

He said the passenger car began rolling free "and the brakeman tried to put on the brakes. We went about 500 feet and then we went off the tracks."

He said he was thrown through a window and "buried under a pile of bodies."

Ralph Este, a technician at the transmitter on top of the mountain for WMTM-TV of Poland Springs, Maine, said the engine jumped the track at a point where there is a spur track.
He said the passenger car derailed at a shallow curve just before the track plunges down the steepest incline of the railway, a section called Jacob's Ladder that has a grade angle of 37.41 per cent.
The passenger car was made of aluminum and reportedly was one of the railway's newer ones.

INJURED ON MT. WASHINGTON.
Mt. Washington, N.H. (AP) -- Here is a partial list of persons injured when an excursion train fell off the Cog Railway and into a gorge on Mt. Washington Sunday:
RUSTY AERTSEN, 19, of Bucks County, Pa.
FLOYD BAILEY, 40, his wife LOUISE, 41, and son KENNETH, 12, of New London, N.H.
MR. and MRS. ANTHONY BERTELLI of Haddam, Conn.
ROGER CARDIN, 47; his wife RITA, 42, and son ROGER, JR., 21, of Newmarket, N.H.
NATHANIEL CARTER, 23, of South Woodstock, N.H.
RICHARD CASPINIUS, 63, and JENNIE CASPINIUS, 60, of Falmouth, Maine.
GORDON CHASE of Lincoln, N.H.
BERTRAND CROTEAU, 32; his wife, EDMAE, 30; daughter DEBRA, 11; and son BERTRAND, JR., 6, of Thornton, N.H.
CAROL DAVIES, 9, and LORETTA DAVIES, 5, of Hampton, N.H.
EVERETT DEMERITT, 30, of Wolcott, Vt.
CAROL DORSAY, 26, of Woodstock, Vt.
JEFFREY GAINES, 2, of Rockport, Maine.
PAULINE GOTCHREAU and DAVID GOTCHREAU, 64, of Putnam, Conn.
CHARLES GROSS, GABY GROSS, 34; and MELANIE GROSS, 4, of Brookline, Mass.
GEORGE KALOCERIS, 28, of Lynn, Mass.
CHARLES KENNISON, 18, of Jefferson, N.H.
ROBERT PROVENCHAL, 31; and daughters, LINDA and SUSAN, of Biddeford, Maine.
JOHN RICHMAN, 12, of Putnam, Conn.
HAROLD ROGERS, 44; his wife FRANCIS, 34; and son DEAN, of Campton, N.H.
GRETA SCHOPE, 33, of Bridgeport, Conn.
JOSEPH VALLIERE, 59, of Methuen, Mass.
BERYL WARREN, 27, and his son PATRICK, 1, of Craftsbury, Vt.
MR. and MRS. JOSEPH LAURENDEAU and daughter LINDA, 3, of South Barre, Vt.
MR. and MRS. JAY WITMER of Roxbury, Mass.
MR. and MRS. MORRIS BLACKBURN of Memphis, Tenn.
A. RICHARD LESLIE of Madison, Ohio.
MR. and MRS. GEORGE BUXTON of Clifton, N.H.

Nashua Telegram New Hampshire 1967-09-18

[codeman671]

We did the Cog a few years ago. It was a fall day, but unseasonably warm and perfectly clear. They said it that day was a rare occasion.

We loved it, other than the brake problems on the way down. Make sure you sit on the left side going up for better views, and likewise the right on the way back down.

[pcmc]

[QUOTE=codeman671;221682

We loved it, other than the brake problems on the way down.[/QUOTE]

Glad it wasn't anything serious.

[Greene's Basin Girl]

I traveled up the cog last fall and really enjoyed it. The only problem is that they don"t give you much time up there. You have to take the train back down again at a set time with the same group that you traveled up with.

[BroadHopper]

The Cog and van rides don't give you much time at the top. U-drive, the driver does not experience the beauty and if you don't have good brakes, a white knuckle drive down!

I prefer to hike. I take the hike from Joe Dodge Lodge to Tuckerman's and to the top. Fairly easy day hike. Go when the alpine garden is in full bloom, breathtaking!

http://www.northeasthikes.com/tucker...mt-washington/

[Flyfisha]

I did it the fourth way! HIKE We did it last year and it's free!!

It is the only way to go!!

[pcmc]

I would love to hike Mt. Washington but it sounds intimidating.
What does it take to prepare for an under taking like this?
Are the physical demands similar to Mt. Major?

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by Dave R

The van seems like a great way to do it. I hope you have fun.

If you do take your car, don't use your brakes much on the way down, just leave it in first gear (assuming it's an automatic). It sounds frantic, but does no damage and is much safer and easier on the car. In a stick shift car, second gear is probably the right choice.

I've done the trip three ways, cog, car and on foot. On foot was the best. It's actually a pretty easy hike. Mt Adams, an adjacent, smaller mountain is much tougher. I hated the cog railway. My neck was killing me from holding my head up on the steep parts.

Dave R, which route did you take up on foot? Looking to do the same this summer.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by pcmc

I would love to hike Mt. Washington but it sounds intimidating.
What does it take to prepare for an under taking like this?
Are the physical demands similar to Mt. Major?

Hardly.From the Pinkham lot its about 3 1/2 times the vertical of Mt Major (1200 vert).From the Auto road its about 4 times higher.The shortest hike is from Jefferson Notch Road at about 3200 ft gain.

[Pineedles]

I personally like the Jewell trail. Less rocky.

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by gtagrip

Dave R, which route did you take up on foot? Looking to do the same this summer.

Never mind. Just clicked on Broadhoppers link!

Thanks!

[Jeanzb1]

We have taken the cog three times in the last eight years. As much fun as it really is, we have always had cloudy, foggy weather and never been able to see much of a view. Last August when we were there, it was 40 degrees and wicked windy at the top and you couldn't see beyond about 25 feet.

[pcmc]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Hardly.From the Pinkham lot its about 3 1/2 times the vertical of Mt Major (1200 vert).From the Auto road its about 4 times higher.The shortest hike is from Jefferson Notch Road at about 3200 ft gain.

Sorry, I realize its a much longer hike. Do you need any specific gear to ascend and descend or are the trails manageable by foot alone.

[beaner]

I agree - if you want to spend a decent amount of time at the summit and don't like feeling "herded", you have to drive yourself (or possibly backpack & camp out somewhere???). I drove up a few years ago with a couple of friends - our one & only time on the mountain so far. My passengers were uncharacteristically quiet on the drive up, and I admit that I was a little concerned about my ability to get us all back down safely. I can't recall whether it was Labor Day or Columbus Day weekend, but it was a sunny Sunday afternoon on a 3-day, fall holiday weekend. Needless to say, the road was busy. But we enjoyed spectacular, 100 mile views from the summit, and the museum exhibits were very interesting. We could easily have stayed up there longer, but the road was closing for the day. Since there was little to no traffic headed up, I could safely hug the middle of the road on the drive down. I also took my time, stopping at the turnouts to enjoy the view and check on the brakes. But no matter which way you choose to get there, if you live here and you've never been to the summit, you definitely should go! Oh, and BTW, it's also fun to watch some of the time-lapse photos of the drive up the auto road that some folks have posted online if you haven't seen them!

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by pcmc

Sorry, I realize its a much longer hike. Do you need any specific gear to ascend and descend or are the trails manageable by foot alone.

From NH Fish & Game
http://www.theheartofnewengland.com/...ashington.html

Please make sure you follow the advice. If by chance you need emergency assistance and F&G feels you have not prepared for the hike, you may be facing a huge bill for rescue efforts!

Even in the middle of the summer, it can get below freezing with damaging wind chill factors.

I don't plan a day to hike. I watch when the weather will be clear at the top and go. The top is almost always in the clouds.

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

From NH Fish & Game
http://www.theheartofnewengland.com/...ashington.html

Please make sure you follow the advice. If by chance you need emergency assistance and F&G feels you have not prepared for the hike, you may be facing a huge bill for rescue efforts!

Even in the middle of the summer, it can get below freezing with damaging wind chill factors.

I don't plan a day to hike. I watch when the weather will be clear at the top and go. The top is almost always in the clouds.

Right on about the temperature change. The day we went up on bikes, it was in the 90's at the base, it was 32 at the top.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by gtagrip

Dave R, which route did you take up on foot? Looking to do the same this summer.

The last time I took the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail up and the Jewell Trail down. It seems like you get to the Lake of Clouds hut in no time, and then the trip to the summit from there is a breeze. The advantage of this route is that you park pretty high on the mountain to start, so the vertical climb (and the most boring part of the climb) is minimized.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by pcmc

Sorry, I realize its a much longer hike. Do you need any specific gear to ascend and descend or are the trails manageable by foot alone.

You don't need any special mountaineering gear, it's really just a long walk in rugged terrain with potential for craptastic weather.

Good shoes and socks are a must. I like light-weight hiking shoes by Merrill. They need little to no break-in and seem ruggedly made. Polypropylene sock liners and wool blend hiking socks round out the foot gear nicely.

Avoid cotton clothing and layer up so you can adjust clothing for 90 degrees and sunny down to 30 degrees and windy/wet.

You can get water and snacks at the AMC huts and at the summit so you don't need to carry vast amounts of either. That said, I still think it's hard to beat a Camelback and some easy to access trail mix. I also bring ibuprofen and 5 hour energy. Those two things can convert a miserable descent into a walk in the park.

For a laugh, bring some apples and give them to people you are hiking with while your are climbing (not during a break). It's funny to watch how quickly a person can get out of breath trying to eat an apple and climb steeply at the same time.

[pcmc]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

Right on about the temperature change. The day we went up on bikes, it was in the 90's at the base, it was 32 at the top.

We have driven up twice. Once a few years back we took my parents up to get away from a brutal humid July day. The observatory area had a small pile of snow hiding in the corner. We were pleasantly surprised at how cool it was up there. Bring a lite coat when you go. Definitely a very interesting place to visit, a clear day at the top is a must.

[pcmc]

Fantastic, a huge thankyou Dave!

Love the hikers humor.lol.

Originally Posted by Dave R

You don't need any special mountaineering gear, it's really just a long walk in rugged terrain with potential for craptastic weather.

Good shoes and socks are a must. I like light-weight hiking shoes by Merrill. They need little to no break-in and seem ruggedly made. Polypropylene sock liners and wool blend hiking socks round out the foot gear nicely.

Avoid cotton clothing and layer up so you can adjust clothing for 90 degrees and sunny down to 30 degrees and windy/wet.

You can get water and snacks at the AMC huts and at the summit so you don't need to carry vast amounts of either. That said, I still think it's hard to beat a Camelback and some easy to access trail mix. I also bring ibuprofen and 5 hour energy. Those two things can convert a miserable descent into a walk in the park.

For a laugh, bring some apples and give them to people you are hiking with while your are climbing (not during a break). It's funny to watch how quickly a person can get out of breath trying to eat an apple and climb steeply at the same time.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by pcmc

I would love to hike Mt. Washington but it sounds intimidating.
What does it take to prepare for an under taking like this?
Are the physical demands similar to Mt. Major?

Walk in hilly terrain as often and as long as possible in the weeks leading up to the hike. If you can crank out 40 miles a week of walking without any discomfort, you are going to be perfectly fine on the hike. Unless you are terribly out of shape or have some health issues, it does not take too long to work up to an average of 6 miles a day of walking. I routinely walk 8 miles or more (combined) during lunch and after work, and I'm far from "in-shape".

[bclaker]

In my younger days, back in the 50's I hiked Mount Washington a couple times with a friend and his four boys and my two older boys. The first time we went up the Jewell trail from the parking lot below the Cog Railway, then back down to the Lake of the Clouds. That was easy compared to the trip up from the Pinkham Notch base to Howard Johnson's and up the right gully. At the top of the gully were so bushed that we had to rest in between moving each foot. We decided to walk down the Auto road on the way back, even though it was a lot longer. We didn't, get very far and a pickup stopped and asked if we wanted a ride. Before we could say No, the boys were in the truck bed. There were several others picked up and they had to pull off a few times and let the brake pads cool off. We finally made it back to our cars without any casualties, but it was pretty scary. Another time I drove up the Auto Road. The road wasn't very wide and when you meet one of the wide passenger vehicles coming towards you, there isn't much room to pass and a sharp drop off on the North side.

[NoBozo]

I have done Pikes Peak in Colorado @14,100 feet..on a 900 pound touring motorcycle. It was a dirt road, and a challenge for a motorcycle.

I have also driven up Mt. Washington (@6288 Feet) in a '63 Chevy with Drum Brakes...Scary coming down...and a much more recent four wheel drive pickup. The road is narrow.. broken up asphalt and alternating gravel and dirt. Let me tell you..Mount Washington is a MUCH more SEVERE Challenge than Pikes Peak.

At the top...Mount Washington is less forgiving..weather wise. However: We drove up through clouds, and at the last minute..the clouds blew away and we had Clear Blue Sky at the summit with unlimited visibility. ...It was COLD. NB

PS: There were a few Stanley Steamers (Antique Autos) at the top when we got there.

[DickR]

About a year and a half ago was when I last did Washington, with a group of the "Over the Hill Hikers" hiking group, in early September. Weather-wise, it was a great day. We went up the Jewell Trail to the Gulfside Trail, and up the summit pile to the top. We got there just in time to witness that first-ever naturalization ceremony at the top of Washington for new citizens. It was on WMUR that night (they were - we weren't).

Then we went down the other side to the Lakes of the Clouds AMC hut, on up to the top of Mt Monroe, since it's "right there." Then down the other side of Monroe and over the ridge and up Mt Eisenhower, down the other side of that and over to Mt Pierce. Finally it was about another four miles out to the parking area just short of Crawford Notch, where we had spotted a car to get us back to where we started. That was a good hike, about 14 miles and all day, not bad for a bunch of post-retirement age folks. But then we had been doing stuff like that once a week since mid-spring.

I wouldn't recommend doing Washington unless you've been doing some serious uphill walking or something like that for a while beforehand. Or you're young. Do pay attention to wearing something sturdy on the feet, bring clothing to layer up with as you get up above tree line, carry at least a half gallon of water (OK, a quart or more, figuring you can tank up again at the summit or at the AMC hut). Watch the weather reports, and pick a good day. The Obs URL is here:
http://www.mountwashington.org/weath...t_forecast.php

[Dave R]

One more thing to add for those that intend to climb on foot: Mt Washington is really not that great of a mountain to climb if you are looking for views. The last time I climbed it, I could not see the observatory from the summit; they are only a few feet apart...

There are vastly better hikes that also happen to have splendid views with much more regularity. Chocorua and the three sisters loop is excellent. The views up there are simply staggering. Little Haystack, Lincoln and Lafayette are a popular loop hike that lets you bag 3 4000+ footers in one fun day. Views there are fantastic as well. Take Falling Waters up and Bridle path down for the safest trip. The aptly named Falling Waters trail is a treat as well, I imagine you can guess why...

[Pineedles]

I would agree with Dave R. Take a look at his photo sphere on top of Chocorua. Even with a cloud cover, that would obscure your view if atop Washington, it is breathtaking. And as for what to wear, there's a kid with sneakers and shorts in the picture to give you an idea.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ch...4fbe97dd?hl=en

[geordie]

The railway costs about $37/person in November and more than $60/person the rest of the time.

The auto road is $28 for the car and driver plus $8 per passenger. I've driven up about a dozen times since 1987. First time was in a crummy Ford Tempo and the last time was a GMC Yukon XL. I've never had any sort of a problem on the road.

It isn't a difficult drive, there's a lot of BS rhetoric on the CD, and it was probably true back in 1965. But a modern car? The radiator is not going to explode if you drive up with the A/C on and the brakes aren't going to catch fire so long as you don't creep down riding the brakes all the time. Here's a Mustang GT descending in summer 2012, yes I was driving. Just use a low gear and brake when the speed gets up too high. There are plenty of places to move over and admire the view.

http://youtu.be/DC6xjIFN6Jg

[Descant]

There are several entities here. The NH Parks own the top and lease to the Mount Washington Observatory, a non-profit. AMC does the trails. The Cog and the Auto Road are separate commercial enterprises.

Here's the quickest way to the top:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4TmKodpqx8

Other trips. I've done the cog a couple of times and it's worth it just for the experience. There used to be a discount if you stayed at the Mount Washington Hotel. Maybe still? Technology has changed, and the first and last cog trip of the day are steam. Other trips are diesel and a little quicker. The Observatory has been working with the Cog to give you more time at the summit. The hotel is a great experience. I've also done the auto road a couple of times. Went up once in the winter in the sno-cat and spent the day with the observatory crew. (I won a TV auction prize.) I've also been a member of the MW Observatory for several years. Along with some great off mountain benefits, this gets you a tour that is not open to the public. They have some extraordinary mountain top once in a life time events that are not highly publicized, but are highly memorable.

If you're not big on fancy hotels, stay at Joe Dodge Lodge, but first join the AMC for big discounts. My mother-in-law, when she was 75, hiked up with a group of similar age active friends. A two day hike with an overnight at Lake of the Clouds. Yes, she is active, rows and kayaks along with hiking.

Last time we drove up with two cars, (June 1) went into the clouds at 4,000 feet, although three days before and two days after were beautiful and clear. When we got closer to the top, visibility was only 25 feet. On the good side, we had the mountain top to ourselves. On the way down, the lead car stopped at 4000 feet to take beautiful pictures of the valley. Driver and passenger got out and the passenger locked and closed the doors, engine running. Oops. Fortunately the owners of the Auto Road patrol about every 15 minutes (they prefer to not have AAA running up and down the road) and they were able to unlock the doors quickly.

In sum, it can be a very easy day or a difficult day, so be prepared for an adventure, and be prepared to prevent an adventure. No matter what, you'll have some great NH memories.

[Airedale1]

Thank you one and all.

[SIKSUKR]

I certainly wouldn't waste my money driving up the auto road if you can't see the mountain.

[EllyPoinster]

You can get a weather forecast for the summit here.