Sorry, new here

[Sherry9091]

but... I am planning a trip to n. conway in october. Was wondering besides cog and to drive my own car or *gasp* hike... is there another way to get to the top of mt washington? I have driven in the past, almost had a heart attack and well not in shape of any kind to hike it. Cog just looks too darn scary. Sorry if this has been asked, but I just found this board.

TIA

Sherry

[Bill O]

For example? Three choices is pretty good.

I'd highly recommend all of those choices. If you're leaning towards one or the other we can all give positives and negatives.

As far as being scared, that's not a valid or logical reason for not doing any of them.

[Tim&Val]

The Cog is FUN! It takes the scary aspect out, since you're not worried about dumping your car over a cliff and you can sit back and enjoy the views!

You could also do a Guided Tour up the auto road if you prefer.

http://www.mountwashingtonautoroad.com/

HAVE FUN!
Valerie

[Rich]

That drive up is pretty hairy! I would much prefer to skydive to the summit. Pretty cool to come down to 6288'.

[KathyC]

I've been to the top 3 times, the first time with the Auto road and the other two my brother in law drove up. I don't think I could personally drive it, I'd be too nervous. And as much as I would Love to hike it, I'm a green horn so to speak. I'd highly recommend the auto raod.

I am also going up in October with my sister, the weekend of the 18th which is my Birthday too...

I told her without a doubt that I want to go up to meet Marty if I'm lucky enough, I'm treating her to the auto road...

[mtruman]

I've never done the cog but for me going up the auto road (in my own car) was pretty hairy. I definitely prefer hiking. I think that the auto road in one of the "stagecoaches" (vans) would be my way of choice but the cog would also be good. Both will provide great views and are completely safe.

[Brad]

Several years ago I took my mother up on the Cog and it was great. The views are wonderful (if it ever stops raining). There was never a feeling we were on a ledge - but it was steep. It was a fun ride. My wife has guests coming this fall and they do not get around well. So, the plan is to take them up the Cog. I have never done the Auto Road but hear the word scary a lot about that one.

[Steve M]

I have driven the auto road around 6 times and It can be unnerving, especially when the guy coming toward you is too scared to stay on his own side of the road, making you get over more than your comfortable with. Anyone afraid of heights would not do well driving the auto road. I would recommend riding in the auto road stage vans and leave the driving to those who are up and down it every day, that way if you get scared you can just close your eyes. The road is very safe though with an excellent safety record in the length of it's existence.

[Bretton Woods Brat]

Take the Cog... you haven't done that yet. To get there from Conway, you will drive through my favorite, Crawford Notch! Read up on the history before you go.
Downside about taking the Cog, you will only get to enjoy the summit for 20 minutes.

[mtruman]

My auto road experience was actually a bit scarier than necessary due to my own absent mindedness. I do have acrophobia and get a bit white knuckled on this kind of road anyway (I've driven the PCH along Big Sur a couple of times and the auto road up Mt Rainier and had the same issue). In this case there was an added factor. We had decided to drive up the auto road (for the first time) and park at the Cow Pasture and hike across the Alpine Garden. We were driving the minivan and about 1/3 of the way up I looked down at the dashboard and the low fuel warning light was on. AAuugggghhhh. Can't turn around now. Am I going to make it!?!? We made it up to the Cow Pasture (which is about 1/2 mile from the summit) with the fuel needle well below empty now. It had occured to me that the incline we were going up might be causing this but that didn't stop me from being freaked out. We went ahead with our hike which turned out to be great. Hard to beat a clear sunny July day in the Alpine Garden. When we got back to the car (without hiking over the summit) I decided to just head back down rather than going the extra mile up to the summit and back. Of course all the instructions say to drive down in low gear and use the brakes minimally. But what if we run out of gas!?!? No power steering!!! No power brakes!!! We might die!!! So - all the way down in neutral with my foot on the brakes. Had to stop at every turnoff and stop for 15 minutes to keep them from catching fire. Of course I'm sure everyone can guess the end result. We got to the bottom just fine and then drove the additional 10 mile to the nearest gas station. Based on what it took to fill the tank it appeared that there were at least 2-3 gallons left. Just another in a lifelong series of my boneheaded moves.

By the way, if you aren't afraid of driving the auto road (and have gas in your tank) the access to the Alpine Garden via the auto road makes for a great hike near the summit without having to do the whole mountain. Probably one of the best ways to get small kids hiking up in the clouds.