There is a third way to get to the top; hike up to Tuckerman's Ravine base camp and then up the ravine face. Anyone in good physical shape can do the ravine face but don't stumble; it's a long way down.

The day I did this (early Sept) was a beautiful day at the base camp; 75 & not a cloud both starting out and returning. As we approached the top, clouds were coming over the top and disappearing into the ravine below. After going over the top it was snowing and very windy. Couldn't see 30 feet in the fog. Icicles came off the buildings horizontally. Fortunately the path to the restaurant was marked and not very far. We were in tee shirts and shorts.

A great book to read on this type of adventure is "Don Fendler - Lost on a mountain in Maine". It's about a boy -- well I'll let you read it.

One of my best friends had provided me with a good expectation of what I would see while there. At one time, he was in charge of the development, testing, and production of commercial jet engines for General Electric. They chose the top of Mt. Washington for their program for 3 reasons: elevation, extreme cold, and room for all of the support facilities required. I asked him about the noise they must have generated....he smiled and said " well, it wasn't quiet when we were running engines".

You can get to the top one of two ways. You can drive or you can ride a cog-wheel driven train. I chose to drive. That was a little nerve-racking. As much mountain driving I do, I've been on some pretty dicey roads. But this road had extreme pucker power. In several places, it was really only a one way deal. Twice when going up, I caught a car coming down. The first time, it was at a spot that wasn't that bad. The second time, It almost came down to who was going to try and back up to find a spot with more room. I told my wife to get out of the car and tell how close I was getting to the rocks on the right of the car. When we passed, I had about six inches between me and the rocks. And with both side mirrors folded, the other car and I had less than a foot between us. While in the visitor center at the top, I asked someone at the help station how many cars have ever gone off the road and down the mountain. She said 3, but that there hasn't been one since 1985. It was 2020 when I was there.