Mount Washington, New Hampshire – At a height of 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is the Northeast's highest peak, home to the worst weather in the world, and a winter climber’s paradise. The 60 acres, more or less, surrounding the summit cone is part of the Mount Washington State Park.
The most well known historical event in the White Mountains happened on April 12, 1934. On this day, a wind gust of 231 miles per hour was recorded on Mount Washington by the Mount Washington Observatory staff. It was the fastest wind gust ever recorded on the surface of the Earth, and it wasn’t until sixty-two years later, in 1996, that an unmanned instrument station in Barrow Island, Australia broke the record with a recording of 253 miles per hour during Tropical Cyclone Olivia.
The first known ascent of Mount Washington was in 1642 by Darby Field. It is hard to imagine anyone standing on the summit of Mount Washington in the 1600s.
You can get to the summit by riding the Mount Washington Cog, or driving the Mount Washington Auto Road, or hiking one of the many trails that lead to the summit. Though the Auto Road is an exciting way to visit the summit, many visitors seem to love riding the Mount Washington Cog.
The landscape is amazing and you will not be disappointed! It is an excellent area to photograph and visit. All of the above images can be licensed for publications by clicking on the image you are interested in, and you can view more scenes of Mount Washington here.
Happy image making..
© Erin Paul Donovan. All rights reserved | Historic Information Disclaimer | White Mountains History
Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC
Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society. He has written two photo history books about the White Mountains: the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad (2018) and Franconia Notch (2024).
Amazing shots! I have been to the summit many times but never during the winter. I wouldn’t have thought to go up during the winter.
Thank you for your kind words Daniele! The summit during the winter is breathtaking.
Blog Post: Five shots of Mount Washington in black & white http://fb.me/TWg1HJqD