From the article: Mt. Washington Auto Road
The Mt. Washington Auto Road is a 150-year-old, iconic New England attraction that leaves some drivers exhilarated, while others find the trip to the summit of New England's tallest peak intimidating. Tell us about your Mt. Washington Auto Road driving experience. Would you make the drive again? (Note: You do not need to log in or register in order to submit a response.) Share Your Experience
Scary
- I was shaking when I reached the top. My leg was sore from flooring the gas for a half hour. Most people coming down don't give you enough room because they are scared. I would never do the road again in a 4-cylinder Mustang, but I would ride my motorcycle up. It is a beautiful place.
- —Guest Glenn Ranger
Terrifying
- THE most terrifying drive of my life! My poor husband was scared, and our son in the back was urging us to turn back. I considered taking the train back down.... Once we got past the unpaved part of the road, we were fine. Definitely listen to the CD, and read and heed the directions!
- —Guest Katharine
Freeze to Death on Mt. Washington
- In August, we hiked up Mt. Washington. We were dressed for August weather. At the top, we were warned by loud speaker that everyone was advised to leave as a surprise wicked cold and snowy blizzard was beginning to hit the top. We had just missed the Cog Railway down. Tourists were already gone. One could hardly see through the white-out storm. Staff was mostly gone. Two cars remained. One passed us. The remaining car was preparing to leave. "Guys, we need to block the road to get a ride or freeze to death." We got the ride. Close call. Welcome to the fastest changing weather in the world.
- —Guest Daryl Gonyon
25 Years Ago Motorcyle - Wife & I - FUN!
- My wife and I and my best friend rode all the way to the top on our motorcycles, and it was delightful. Yes, you should drive carefully and not get carried away by racing up. The views were really special, and it started to snow, just a little, when we got to the top. Have pics that we always smile about.
- —Guest Thrilling MC ride
Hitchhiking on Mt. Washington Auto Road
- My son and I climbed up the steepest grade to the top. Temp at bottom: 80 degrees and sunny. Temp at top: freezing and blizzard! We were dressed for summer mountain climbing, not winter blizzard. We missed the last Cog Railway down. The entire facility at the top advised everyone to get out and down ASAP! We tried hitchhiking, but no one stopped for us. Only three cars were left. Two passed us by. I told my son, "We must stop the last car, or freeze to death!" We stood in the middle of the road and didn't budge. The car stopped and took us down. We had escaped death, we believed.
- —Guest Life saving!
Don't Ruin Your Car
- "Paul" is right. One of the van drivers with whom I made the trip twice said that if he ever saw a used car for sale with a sticker saying that it climbed Mt. Washington, he'd walk right by it. The vans are specially fitted with post-factory equipment; your car is not.
- —Guest Nancy de Flon
Not for the Faint of Heart
- Took a drive up many years ago with an old boyfriend. I think I screamed most of the way up, and I also dug my nails into the poor guy's arms from terror. A short distance from the top, we were surrounded by complete fog and couldn't see anything in front of us. I told him if we didn't go back down, I would walk down. After that, I would only go up on the Cog, which I have done three times. That I enjoyed, but I will leave the auto road to others.
- —Guest Carol D.
Mt. Washington Auto Road
- Before attempting the drive, my husband stopped at the toll booth so I could ask if the boulders along the road went all the way to the top. Having been assured they did, we started up. He LIED!! The farther up we got, the smaller the rocks became. We made it up and down, but I'll stick to the Cog Railway, thank you. We also have gone up in the Stage. That was a whole other experience! Those drivers go up and down so often, they drive like they are on Route 16! In spite of the terror, I would highly recommend it, especially on a clear day in the summer. My only regret is, I never got to hike up with Johnny Edge while staying at Rockhouse Mt. Farm. I'm afraid I'm too old to do that now!
- —Guest Caroline
2007 Trip
- Two of us wondered what photos we could get up Mount Washington, so windy and cold in October! Noted the chained-down building and the lack of safety barriers on the way up! We stopped at the bottom to let the brakes cool down, and when we took the rental car back said, "Brakes are not very good." Would recommend it only if you do not have nervous passengers!
- —Guest UKcolin
Great Drive!
- My wife and I drove the Mt. Washington road during our road trip through New England in 2008. It was beautiful and rewarding, if demanding. Remember to bring warm clothes; it's pretty cold on top (we were there in October!), but the views are worth the trip. Thanks for your newsletter, btw. ~Claude, Sydney, Australia
- —Guest Claude LeComte
Mom Walks
- About halfway up the mountain, my mom refused to go any farther and demanded to get out of the car and walk back down if necessary. Ever see a car with a bumper sticker that claims it climbed Mt. Washington? Stay clear, its brakes are gone.
- —Guest PAUL
