Mt. Washington

The peak of Mt . Washington was first seen by explorers off the New Hampshire coast in 1524 . Known to Native Americans as Agiocochook, the summit was believed to be the home of the Great Spirit . Today, by foot, car or train, the 6,288' summit of Mount Washington is surprisingly accessible . Home to Mount Washington State Park, it is visited by more than 250,000 people each year from all over the world, who come to revel in the top-of-the-world views of New England, New York, Canada, and on a clear day, even the Atlantic Ocean! The first footpath to the summit was carved out by Ethan Allen Crawford in 1819; today the Crawford Path is the oldest continually maintained footpath in the country . Visitors can drive up the Mt. Washington Auto Road or simply leave the driving to the cheerful (and informative) stage guides . The Mount Washington Cog Railway, the world’s first mountain climbing railroad, opened in 1869 . Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeast and its weather is variable at any time . The record high temperature is 72°F; the record low, -47°F . Without factoring in the wind chill! With an average July temperature of 49°F, summer visitors can get a respite from warmer temperatures in the valleys below . When you come, plan to bring a jacket and sturdy shoes . And don’t forget your camera!