Two Spots Northeast of Mt. Washington Summit - What are they?

[Driver8]

Hi, I'm curious about a couple of spots on Mt. Washington and what they are or were in the past. They are shown in this picture I took this summer from the Obs deck of the Adams building:

The two spots are left of the Auto Road and appear right of center in the picture. From satellite photos on Google Earth, they look like they are, or were in the past, more than just pull-off spots for cars. Anyone know anything more about them? I'd enjoy learning more if more is to be learned here.

 

[Chip]

they used to land a small plane with the fuel for up there. i think it was in that area.

 

[RoySwkr]

I believe they were Air Force research buildings, the Gulfside Trail used to go by there (hence its name) but had to be relocated when they were built
http://docs.unh.edu/NH/mtws38se.jpg

 

[DougPaul]

I thought the clearings were the site of the jet engine testing facility: Project Jack Frost c1953.
* http://www.vftt.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3074&d=1278367399 (from http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?36715-Old-pictures-Can-you-identify-locations nh7.jpg
* http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/williams/mc_years.htm
* http://books.google.com/books?id=GU...&q=jet engine testing "mt washington"&f=false
* http://img507.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mtwashingtonfrommtclay1jr5.jpg (from http://www.mountwashington.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-1848.html)
* http://www.mountwashington.org/foru...her-old-shots-from-the-mountain&p=878#post878
* http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...iEzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=le4HAAAAIBAJ&pg=5290,3223241
* http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...twbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w2QEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3596,3252961
* There was a Helicoptor Test Apron located in the area--it may have been in one of the clearings. (WMG 19th ed, 1969, pg 5.)

More recently there were fuel tanks in one of the clearings. (from memory).

Doug

 

[Breeze]

In Auto Road code speak, the whole site is generally called "Air Force", as referenced by Doug Paul above. A jet engine testing hangar took up one area, and a crew barracks the other.

In more recent years, the sites have also been used by private contractors involved in renovations, improvements, conversions and other heavy work being done on the summit as staging and storage areas.

When the Auto Road first opens to the top in Spring, the site is very popular staging and parking and " Festing" for Slackfest skiers. At the Tollhouse in late May ( and until skiing is done) I often tell folks wondering where to park for skiiing-- open your car windows, you'll definitely know where people are gathered to Grill and Chill.

Breeze

 

[natron]

yup, "air-force 1" is the name I've heard..
great place to park for the late season slack turns!

if you are really ambitious and the snow is good on all aspects of mt.w. you can do days like this.. (that day, I did 1 run on the east snowfields, 2 runs on main gully in oakes gulf, 1 run in ammo and 1 in burt ravine, 1st car up the rd., and last 2 leave) the typical years and typical days of late may or early june, most will use these lots for east snowfield laps or gg laps.. my 4 year streak of mt.w. auto assist late season turns ended last year..

 

[Driver8]

What a treasure trove of helpful responses. Thanks, Doug, for all the informative links and everyone else for your helpful background. So cool to learn more about this awesome mountain's rich and singular history. I thought I smelled something more interesting in those spots than just a couple of parking areas.