• Where is Mt. Washington located?
  • What makes Mt. Washington significant?
    • It is the mountain with the highest prominence to be situated east of the Mississippi River.
  • What mountain range is Mt. Washington part of?
    • Mt. Washington is part of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains.
  • What township is Mt. Washington in?
  • What protected areas include Mt. Washington?

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1. The highest point in the state of New Hampshire

The highest point in the state of New Hampshire


  • What is the difference between a mountain's elevation and prominence?
    • The elevation of a mountain tells us how high it is above sea level, while its prominence refers to how tall it is from its base to its summit.
  • What are the elevation and prominence of Mt. Washington?
    • The prominence of Mt. Washington is 6,148 feet (1,874 m), while its elevation is 6,288.2 feet (1,916.6 m). It is the highest point in New Hampshire.
  • How can visitors reach the summit of Mt. Washington?
    • Mt. Washington has its own cog railway leading to the top, as well as a toll auto road allowing people to enjoy scenic drives to the summit. The mountain can also be hiked and climbed and is featured on the Appalachian Trail.
  • What is the Native American name for Mt. Washington?
    • Mt. Washington is also known as "Agiocochook", a name given to it by Native American tribes.
  • Who was the first European to ascend Mt. Washington?
    • The first recorded ascent by a European settler was in 1642, when Darby Field made it to the top.
  • What transportation services make Mt. Washington a popular tourist destination?
  • What are some other reasons to visit Mt. Washington?
    • Nearby attractions include skiing locations, the Lakes of the Clouds, and a unique mountain hut near the summit. The mountain is also a great gliding spot and is famous for its unpredictable weather.
  • What makes Mt. Washington's weather unique?
    • Mt. Washington experiences huge amounts of precipitation each year and holds the record for the fastest wind speed outside of a hurricane, recorded at the Mount Washington Observatory in the 1930s.

2. Elevation of Mt Washington

Elevation of Mt Washington


  • How does elevation affect the climate of Mt. Washington?
    • The climate of Mt. Washington is strongly influenced by its elevation. The highest parts, including the summit, have an alpine or tundra climate with extremely low temperatures.
  • What type of climate is found at lower elevations on Mt. Washington?
    • Areas of lower elevation on Mt. Washington have a subarctic climate, with slightly milder temperatures in general.
  • How much snowfall does Mt. Washington receive?
    • At its summit, Mt. Washington receives over 280 inches of snowfall annually.

3. Key Areas to Know about Mt Washington

Key Areas to Know about Mt Washington


  • What are some key areas around Mt. Washington?
    • The Mount Washington Auto Road has a base elevation of 1,527 feet (465 m) and a top elevation of 6,145 feet (1,873 m), resulting in an elevation gain of 4,618 feet (1,408 m).
    • The Mount Washington Cog Railway begins at an approximate elevation of 2,700 feet (820 m) and ends at 6,288 feet (1,917 m), just short of Mt. Washington’s peak.
  • What plateaus are found on Mt. Washington?
    • The Alpine Gardens plateau is located east of Mt. Washington’s summit and begins at Chandler Ridge, with an elevation of 5,200 feet (1,600 m).
    • Bigelow Lawn is the plateau on the southern side of Mt. Washington, with an elevation ranging from 5,000 feet (1,500 m) to 5,500 feet (1,700 m).
  • Where do most hikes up Mt. Washington begin?
    • Most hikes up Mt. Washington begin at the Pinkham Notch mountain pass, which has an elevation of 2,032 feet (619 m).
  • How does Mt. Washington’s elevation compare to the rest of New Hampshire?
    • Mt. Washington is the highest point in New Hampshire, greatly exceeding the state’s mean elevation of 1,000 feet (300 m).
    • The lowest point in New Hampshire is the Atlantic Ocean, which is at sea level.
    • The highest incorporated town or city in New Hampshire is Clarksville, located in Coos County, with an elevation of 1,980 feet (604 m).
  • What are the elevations of major cities in New Hampshire?
    • Manchester (Hillsborough County) – 210 feet (64 m).
    • Nashua (Hillsborough County) – 151 feet (46 m).
    • Concord (Merrimack County, state capital) – 288 feet (88 m).
    • Derry (Rockingham County) – 282 feet (86 m).

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