Early and Late Season Summit Trips

Winter comes early and stays late at the summit of Mount Washington, and so do we!

Mount Washington enjoys a well-deserved reputation as being home to the “World’s Worst Weather”. Because of fierce winter conditions, the Mount Washington State Park summit facilities are closed from Columbus Day until just prior to Memorial Day weekend. Even so, our first trips to the summit go up on May 1, several weeks prior to the State Park facilities opening (weather permitting). We will also attempt to reach the summit approximately one week after the Visitor Center closes in October. These early and late season trips are a unique opportunity to safely experience an environment that only winter hikers and the summit’s resident meteorolgists and park rangers ever get to see.

During early May and late October, we stage an empty passenger coach at the summit, attended by a summit station supervisor. The temporary shelter provides a warm, welcoming respite from the weather, and hot beverages are always complimentary. We also stock snacks and a limited supply of sweatshirts, etc for purchase (cash only). As always, we strongly recommend that visitors to Mount Washington dress appropriately with warm clothing and sturdy footwear. It is ALWAYS cooler and windier at the summit than at lower elevations. It’s usually a good idea to leave your shorts and flip-flops back at the hotel, especially early and late in the season!

Here’s where you can learn about our midwinter destinations when the summit is inaccessible, Skyline (5500’) and Waumbek Station (4000’)