Driving Mt Washington Auto Road, New Hampshire: The surprising home of the world's worst weather

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 5 years ago

Driving Mt Washington Auto Road, New Hampshire: The surprising home of the world's worst weather

By Kylie McLaughlin
Mt Washington Auto Road is not for the faint-hearted.

Mt Washington Auto Road is not for the faint-hearted.Credit: Alamy

It's a beautiful day in Mount Washington State Forest at the height of autumn, and its mountainous landscapes are decorated with rainbow-coloured leaves on trees, which attracts visitors in droves.

The state park is also bordered by quaint towns, beautiful hiking trails, charming historic inns and this: the world's most terrifying drive. Well, OK, I might be exaggerating slightly, and I hadn't the faintest notion of what I was in for until some fellow tourists warned me against driving the road on my own the evening before I was due to attempt it.

America's first man-made attraction, Mount Washington Auto Road opened in 1861, climbing 1873 metres to the summit. It all starts innocently enough. The sun lights up the autumn leaves which creates a colourful canopy over the road I have to myself. But as the road gets higher, seemingly narrower and breaks into gravel, the safety barrier of the trees slips away as it goes above tree-line. There isn't much between the road and jaw-dropping ravines and I'm mightily relieved I am driving on the left-hand side.

An aerial view of the road's path to the top of Mt Washington.

An aerial view of the road's path to the top of Mt Washington.Credit: mtwashingtonautoroad.com

But we're not there yet. I get the feeling that we're in an incredibly steep place, but I cannot actually see as the car plunges into thick fog. For the first time I understand how people must feel on Bolivia's infamous Death Road, and I thank my lucky stars there are no crappy buses carrying villagers and llamas from which I'd have to veer dangerously close to the road's edge to give way.

After driving for about 20 minutes I reach a carpark with half a dozen other cars, so I assume it's the summit. I can't see the summit, of course. I throw on my lightweight ethically-made goose down jacket, grab my keys and jump out of the car. But nothing prepares me for what happens next.

OMFG. I've just stepped into a blizzard. The wind is howling, the car door is nearly blown off its hinges and I've never been so cold in all my life, like a slap in the face. I can't actually see where I am supposed to be going and half expect a polar bear to emerge from the ice and clouds, growling and hungry. I see a set of stairs and sprint there, with gale force winds making it feel much like scaling The Game of Thrones' Wall. I make for the closest door and once inside, I take a moment to recover from the shocking cold which has left me breathless. The building I've found is Mount Washington Observatory, which is thankfully warm, and offers hot drinks for sale – for those who were smart enough to bring their money.

Getting about Mt Washington's summit can get awkward on a windy day.

Getting about Mt Washington's summit can get awkward on a windy day.Credit: Kylie McLaughlin

Once I can feel my fingers, I explore the Mount Washington "Extreme Museum", which gives you information on the history of its weather and a sterling, 360 degree view of nothing, today. You'll have to admire the panoramas they have on the walls of the observatory instead. I check the weather – minus 7 degrees. Is that all? It feels at least minus 20. While you're gathering your wits, you can learn how the weather is observed and recorded here, and virtually pilot a snowcat.

Advertisement

Unsurprisingly, Mount Washington's weather rivals that of Mount Everest and the polar regions. But worse. It's actually known for being the home of the worst weather in the world. Visitors don't just come up here for the pretty views – they come to experience this terrible weather, first hand. Why didn't anyone warn me?

Once I head back out, this time a little more prepared for the freezing cold, I pause for the longest two seconds of my life to read the sign attached to a small building I missed on the way to the observatory. "The highest wind ever observed by man was recorded here," it reads. It was 371 km/h. I am not surprised.

The highest wind ever observed by man was recorded here at the Mt Washington Observatory during a great storm on April 12, 1934. The wind velocity recorded was 231 miles per hour.

The highest wind ever observed by man was recorded here at the Mt Washington Observatory during a great storm on April 12, 1934. The wind velocity recorded was 231 miles per hour.Credit: Kylie McLaughlin

Typically, as I make my descent, the clouds start to break up and the above tree-line views are sensational. Three's plenty of pull-outs on the road if you want to brave the cold and take photos. They're also handy for giving way to traffic coming uphill, which luckily is not often early in the morning.

Just as I'm gaining confidence descending the steep road, which has an average grade of 12 per cent, the smell of burning rubber wafts through my hire car. Another issue of climbing a mountain so steep is that brakes tend to overheat coming back down, which forces drivers to stop every 10 or so minutes. More or less a chance to take in the spectacular views of deep valleys covered in October's fall foliage – hardly a terrible thing.

Nonetheless, I am super glad when me and my poor rental dive into forest canopy once again signalling that the end of the road was nigh. I'd survived the world's worst weather and hadn't managed to plunge over a cliff. I return to the highway, feeling slightly elated.

FIVE OTHER NEW HAMPSHIRE ADVENTURES

DRIVE THE KANCAMANGUS HIGHWAY

One of the best ways to experience fall foliage in the state, the popular 56 kilometre scenic highway cuts through the New Hampshire Mountains with plenty of hiking opportunities and pull-offs for photos. See kancamagushighway.com

HIKE FRANKENSTEIN TRESTLE, CRAWFORD NOTCH STATE PARK

No scary monsters, just a pleasant short hike through forest that ends on a high 1893 trestle bridge with magnificent views across the mountains. See conwayscenic.com

VISIT LITTLETON

Nestled alongside the White Mountains, this picturesque riverside town is home to a covered bridge, a brewery, cool shops and eateries. See townoflittleton.org

STAY IN HISTORIC INNS

The Omni Mount Washington Resort is an iconic venue with amazing views. See Omni Mount Washington Resort. Adair Country Inn is a classic New England B&B with huge rooms, expansive grounds and old-fashioned hospitality See adairinn.com. The Glen House is a brand-new hotel with mod cons, friendly, helpful staff and, conveniently, is alongside Mt Washington Auto Road's entrance. See theglenhouse.com

ZIPLINE THROUGH FALL FOLIAGE

Moderately-paced, rather than heart-failure inducing drops, ziplining at Bretton Woods is a fun way of zooming over the top of fall foliage, with knowledgeable instructors and incomparable views from the treetops. See Bretton Woods Adventure Center

TRIP NOTES

Kylie McLaughlin was a guest of Discover New England.

MORE

Traveller.com.au/northamerica

discovernewengland.org

FLY

Fly with Virgin to LAX, then to Boston with Delta. See virgin.com au; delta.com

Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter

Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading