Road trip USA East Coast Day 14 (May 11, 2024)

KG: After a hearty breakfast with a view of the fast-flowing Wildcat Brook, we drive to the visitor center in Pinkham Notch - from there our hike up Mount Washington is to start. After we told the people at the visitor center about our plan, we were strongly advised against it because we were too poorly equipped, there was still snow in which you could sink up to your hips and parts of the route were closed. That was sobering to hear, so the only alternatives left for us were the car or the cog railway. We decided to take the train, which was significantly more expensive but promised better views. The Mount Washington Cog Railway has been around since 1869 and is the first cog railway in the world to go up a mountain. The journey takes about 45-60 minutes each way, and once you get to the top you have the opportunity to explore the summit for 30 minutes: it consists of a weather station, a souvenir shop and a snack bar that is currently closed.

It was quite cold, with temperatures around freezing, and the view was limited as the summit was covered in cloud.

After the return journey on the cog railway, we wanted to get some exercise and set off on the Avalon Trail, which leads to Mount Avalon. At first, the hiking trail was straightforward, we only had to cross a mountain stream without a bridge, but as we got higher, snow and slippery rocks appeared, which we couldn't really get a grip on with our summer shoes. The way back was also difficult, as we had no more energy. We arrived at the car exhausted and drove straight to the Wildcat Tavern, where we had a leisurely dinner with live music and later fell into bed early, completely exhausted.