Parking for Mt. Washington (Pinkham Notch side)

[Greenpoint]

I'm planning on hiking Mt.Washington this coming Sunday (Boott Spur, Lawn Cutoff, etc). I know there's no solid answer but, with 3 hours of driving to get there, is the lot typically full by a certain time? I'm hoping to get there by 8am. If the lots are full is there an alternative (like the shuttle from Cannon to the Falling Water Trail)? I'd hate to get there only to find there's no place to park. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[peakbagger]

I think you are starting at Pinkham Notch. There is lots of overflow parking on either side of RT 16 immediately south of Pinkham Notch. Worst case is park at Wildcat and walk the 3 tenths of mile south to Pinkham I seriously doubt that will be needed. Things are a bit tighter at the Cog Railroad lot ont he other side of the mountain.

Have fun and be prepared for crowds of clueless folks on the trails and at the summit. Bring plenty of water and check the observatory forecast online before you head out in the AM, they update it around 5 AM.

BTW Seek the Peak is Saturday so definitely a Sunday hike is preferable to Saturday.

 

[DayTrip]

I generally park at the lot for the Direstissima Trail for most of my East climbs of Washington (Tuckerman, Jackson Road, Boott Spur, etc.) just South of Pinkham Notch official parking area. It is rarely completely full, even on busy weekends at mid morning, and is a very short cut over to the official trails from Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.