Cog Railway Mount Washington, NH: Considering the idea of visiting the Cog Railway on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. We will be traversing from Burlington, Vermont to Freeport...

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

Considering the idea of visiting the Cog Railway on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. We will be traversing from Burlington, Vermont to Freeport, Maine and a detour looks not terribly out of the way.

If we do not have time to actually ride the Cog Railway, do any you Hoggers know of a way to get good shots from a drive up the mountain. In addition, has a long time train buff, I think sometimes you could get better pictures by not riding the train.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

The cog railway is the most direct route to the top. The auto road is a lot longer and I do not think you would save that much time. The trip up & back is 3 hours and costs about $70, but does depend on wether you book diesel power or steam. You really have to think about booking now as popular times sell out quickly. You can rebook if the weather is bad. Www.thecog.com
I have done the trip with good photos at the base station, the top and on the way up. Bring extra clothing as it can get a lot colder and windy at the top. The trip is narrated pointing out points of interest and history.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

newsguygeorge wrote:

Considering the idea of visiting the Cog Railway on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. We will be traversing from Burlington, Vermont to Freeport, Maine and a detour looks not terribly out of the way.

If we do not have time to actually ride the Cog Railway, do any you Hoggers know of a way to get good shots from a drive up the mountain. In addition, has a long time train buff, I think sometimes you could get better pictures by not riding the train.

As you probably already know, the cog railway is on the opposite side of the mountain from the auto road. It's pretty much an hour to drive from one to the other, with route 302->2->16 being slightly (8 min) shorter.

The east side is pretty dramatic - west side also pretty cool, but much more wind. I've done the ascent five ways - Cog, Road, hike from Pinkham Notch, Crawford Notch, Tuckerman's Ravine and Huntington's Ravine (which I will never do again, it was that hard). By far and away, the coolest way to get up there is the Cog.

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Wear warm thick sox ..... etc.

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MDI Mainer

There are also commercial van rides you can take. If you're the driver, photographing while operating the vehicle is not a recommended practice ;-)

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

It's kind of a whole-day trip, but well worth it if you have the time.

Trekker

Unless things have recently changed the first ride of the day on the Cog is the old steam engine. By all means take that. Bring warm clothes even in summer it’s cold up there. Unless you hike there’s no better way to visit the summit. Bring a wide lens. It’s pretty amazing up there—enjoy!

traderjohn Loc: New York City

newsguygeorge wrote:

Considering the idea of visiting the Cog Railway on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. We will be traversing from Burlington, Vermont to Freeport, Maine and a detour looks not terribly out of the way.

If we do not have time to actually ride the Cog Railway, do any you Hoggers know of a way to get good shots from a drive up the mountain. In addition, has a long time train buff, I think sometimes you could get better pictures by not riding the train.

Do not think the weather at the base will be the same at the top. It can of course but not always. I would bring a windbreaker or a light jacket.
About 20 years ago my wife and I listened to my oldest son and the three of us hiked to the top. That kid is out my will.

cwhi1444 Loc: Orland Park, IL

All advice has been very good. A most wonderful place to visit. Do take a jacket not a windbreaker if you go up it can be quite a temperature drop at the top. If you can't find time for the mountain trip at least drive up to the base station and see the trains. Expand my avatar to see the steam train starting up the mountain.
Another beautiful thing to see near there is the Mount Washington Hotel, one of the most majestic hotels of its time.
Good luck on your trip.

ELNikkor

I climbed Mt. Washington in 2 hours (off trail), but that was long ago...

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

Thanks, y'all. I don't think my original post was written well. Yes, if we do anything, it will be to try to make the steam train up the mountain. What I was really asking was whether there are vantage points from which to shoot photos of the train going up the mountain.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

The cog railway is absolutely worth it. The auto road is VERY twisty with not that many turn outs. Be prepared for weather and temperature change. Mt. Washington has some of the most extreme weather in America. There’s a reason the weather station at the top is tethered down with very heavy chains.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

mizzee wrote:

The cog railway is absolutely worth it. The auto road is VERY twisty with not that many turn outs. Be prepared for weather and temperature change. Mt. Washington has some of the most extreme weather in America. There’s a reason the weather station at the top is tethered down with very heavy chains.

Coming down is tricky if your brakes are in question.

ceallachain Loc: Cape May, NJ

Up or down you’ll be able to get some good shots. Going up in the front car you can get shots of the track and peripheral scenery all good. There’s a stop at a water shed to take on water or something shots of the shed are possible. Coming down is also providing amble scenery. At the top there’s many shot opportunities as you up there about an hour. Advice on something warm is correct. There is however a store up there for those who think they could brave the cold. It’s about a 45 degree or more difference from the where you got on the train. Opportunities abound at top there’s a radio station, rock formation to climb and shoot. 😊

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

On the train watch for hot ashes flying from the locomotive.