Mt Washington...the easy way

[dvbl]

Walked up the Auto Road at midnight in order to see the sunrise. Drove up to New Hampshire Friday evening after work. Attempted (and failed) to sleep in car from 10:30pm til midnight. Started up the Auto Road about 12:15am. Just like walking up a ramp; no rocks or roots or mud patches. Nice change of pace from the regular trails' rough footing. Casual pace, no rush, goal was to be on summit for pre-sunrise light. Only one other person on summit; he had come up Tuckerman Ravine trail. Cool...someone to take our picture, which we weren't expecting. Sky was clear on the way up, but as dawn was nearing, the haze started to build. So the sunrise show was less than perfect, but still nice. Hung around for a few hours and watched the first 2 or 3 bicycle racers reach the summit. Went over to west side of the summit away from the crowd and tried to sleep on the rocks. Only dozed a little. Descended via Lion Head. Next stop, Glen Ellis falls. Then Sunday we went to Arethusa Falls.
Random stuff...
-the night sky is awesome when there's no man-made light.
-small waterfalls and creeks and brooks are very loud at 2am.
-the smells of the forest seem more intense at 2am.
-girl coming up Tuckerman Ravine trail Saturday afternoon in shower flip-flops seemed mildly peeved at her boyfriend.
-I can sleep very well after being awake for 39 out of 40 hours.
-Lots of calf and achilles stretching helps.
-I'm not as brave as Periwinkle, so I didn't go solo...I took my wife for protection.

a few pix

 

[J&J]

Nice trip report and title! We've come out of the woods very late at night many times before, but we've never done a night hike. We must put that on the agenda!