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What to See & Do in Bretton Woods & Crawford Notch NH |
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Dramatic scenery, a state park, and a historic mountain cog railway over a century old... |
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North and east on US 302 from Glen will take you through Crawford Notch to the Crawford Notch State Park. The park is a fine place for hiking and fishing, and you can see two impressive waterfalls—the Flume and the Silver Cascades—from the highway. State Park facilities include a 24-site campground, a picnic area, an information booth, and a shop featuring the products of New Hampshire artisans. The ruins of the Willey House hold a mystery and a story from the 1820s, when the road was being cut and the Willey family set up house in Crawford Notch to provide for the teams that would pass through the valley. In August 1826 one of the worst storms ever to hit the White Mountains wreaked havoc in the valley, with floods, landslides, wind, and rain which left the Willey House unharmed, but resulted in the death of every member of the household. Certainly the quaintest way to get to the top of Mount Washington is by the Mount Washington Cog Railway (tel 603-846-5404). It's a 3 1/2-mile track along a steep trestle up the mountainside. The specially-built coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive drives a cog wheel on its undercarriage which engages with pins between the rails to pull the locomotive and passenger car up the slope. In operation since 1866, the 3-hour round-trip scenic excursion is a lot of fun. At the portion of the run known as Jacob's Ladder, the grade is a surprising 37%, but the little engine pulls along trustworthily despite the steepness. At the top, the average summer temperature is 40°F, and there may be a stiff wind. Stroll to the Visitor Center for a snack, drink, or souvenir, and then tour the mountaintop: see the displays highlighting the worst of Mount Washington's weather. If you pick a clear day to ascend the 6,288-foot summit, it will seem as though you can see all the way to Europe! The cog railway base station, where you board the train, is 6 miles off US 302 east of Twin Mountain NH. The season is Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day (Canadian Thanksgiving), with weekends-only runs until mid-June, then daily. Have reservations, or try to take an early train to avoid having to wait in line. From Labor Day through mid-October, there are a few trains daily if weather permits. Remember to bring a sweater or jacket, or both, for the cool weather at the top, no matter how warm it is at the bottom. |
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