White Mountains of New Hampshire

We didn't have far to travel to get to the next campground, but it was slow going through the mountains.  We went through the White Mountain National Forest to an area called Twin Mountains city of Carroll, New Hampshire.  It is conveniently located for taking day trips to visit some of the many covered bridges throughout northern New Hampshire and Vermont......and most importantly, still in the mountains so we can enjoy the cooler weather.

We began to see these beautiful white birch trees which are the official  state tree for New Hampshire.

All throughout the northeast into Maine and even Nova Scotia, we would see piles of firewood in peoples yards ready for the upcoming winter season.  Also, more of those beautiful white Hydrangea bushes!

 We were somewhat surprised to see this pickup truck in New Hampshire flying his rebel flag.....

As we got closer to the campground, we saw a warning sign for moose in the area........who knows, I may get another chance for a picture. :)

But first.........we decided to ride the Cog Railway to the top of Mt. Washington located only 20 minutes from the campground. 

 

 

 Mt. Washington Cog Railway

 

The Mt. Washington Cog Railway is the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway (rack and pinion railway).  It uses a Marsh rack system and one or two steam locomotives and five biodiesel powered locomotives to carry us tourists to the top of the mountain.  It is the second steepest rack railway in the world with an average grade of over 25% and a maximum of 37%.  The train goes up the mountain at an astounding 2.8 MPH.  Like the Brakeman on our train said....." we are off like a herd of turtles"!  It descends a little faster at 4.6 MPG.  It takes approximately 65 minutes going up and 40 minutes going down. The train depot is located at 2,700 feet above sea level, while the summit of Mt. Washington is 6,288 feet.

Located in the museum is an example of how the cog works.
Below is a picture of the cog (or rack and pinion) system that allows the locomotive to climb Mt. Washington. The rack rail design uses a ladder-like rack with open bar rungs engaged by the teeth of the cog wheel.  This system allows snow and debris to fall through the rack rather than lodge in it. 

 

Also located in the museum was a picture of the "Devil's shingles" 

(pictured  below). 

 Back in the early days during the railway construction, men used these simple home made devices to descend the mountain at 60 mph!  The slideboards as they were called fit over the cog rack and had enough room for a worker and his tools.  The "Devil's shingles" were banned in 1906 after the accidental death of an employee. 

 

 

 We took this picture of the steam powered engine as it was coming back from the top. 

 

 

 

The passengers on board disembarked and another group boarded.....then up they went!  The steam powered train only goes up twice a day and are booked in advance.  We rode on one of the biodiesel trains.  Which was okay, because we got to watch this magnificent sight going up the mountain!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After giving the steam powered engine a little head start up the mountain, we boarded our train and headed up the mountain behind it.

 

 

 

As we got higher up the mountain, the brakeman pointed out the trees growing along the tracks were actually growing straight up.....it was us that was on such an angle.

 

 

 

We passed a stone face that was clearly visible with the white backdrop behind it.  From this picture you can also see the track as it works its way up the mountain.

 

 

 

Our view looking out over the mountains.

 

You can really tell how steep we were in the picture below.  I stuck my arm out the window and took a picture back down the mountain.

 

 

We are now above the tree line.......only a lot of rocks.

 

 

 

Finally made it to the top!

 

Our train goes back down to pick up more passengers while we have approximately an hour to look around and take pictures.

 

 

We learned on the way back down that the engine and the train car are NOT connected in any way.  On the way up the engine pushes us and on the way down it keeps us traveling down the mountain at a steady pace .........or in other words, from  careening out of control! 

 

 

At the summit you can stroll onto the observation deck to enjoy panoramic views, visit the 1853 Tip Top House, and then on to the Visitor Center which houses a weather museum, snack bar and, of course, a gift shop.  There is also a post office located at the summit where you can purchase a post card and get a unique Mt. Washington postmark. 

 

The Tip Top House located at the summit is a historic former hotel.  It is the oldest surviving building on the summit.  It currently features exhibits concerning the mountains history. 

 

It was windy and cool at the top!

 

 

 

 

Below is a picture of some of the weather equipment.

 

 

 

The mountain boasts some of the planet's worst weather.  Mt. Washington's summit is where the world's highest speed observed by man was recorded.  It has also been recorded to have had an astounding minus 40 degree temperature and hurricane force winds in the winter and has never been over 74 degrees in the summer.  When we got to the top is was somewhere in the upper 40's.

 

 

 

The pictures below were taken from the observation deck looking down the mountain where our car is parked.....somewhere down there!

 

We were above some of the clouds.  It was yet another great weather day......plenty of sun and warmer at the bottom.

 

 

Alan was checking out the rail system....it just drops down out of sight!

 

 

 

Another train just arriving.....

 

 

 

 

We have boarded our train and headed down.  You can see how steep it is by looking down the tracks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was another train as it was headed back down the mountain.  That almost looks like snow on the mountain, but it is rock.

 

 

 

 

This is one of the hiking trails leading up to the summit.  Mt. Washington is one of the most popular hiking, backcountry skiing, alpine climbing and ice climbing destinations in New England, affectionately known as "the rock pile".

 

 

 

Below are a few of the hikers making the trek back down.

 

 

Had a great time on the Cog Train!