The Mount Winds Down 150th Season
As Fall Foliage Excursions Begin To Peak
PHOTO: Sunset on Lake Winnipesaukee as seen from the deck of the M/S Mount Washington. Photograph courtesy of former NH State Senator Bob Letourneau.
The days are getting shorter, but the Lakes Region is just starting to gear up for some beautiful fall weather and the awe inspiring sites as a multitude of colors overtakes the landscape.
Lake Winnipesaukee has its own special charm in the fall and the lake is one of the last areas in the state for foliage to appear. The mountain ranges surrounding the lake start earlier, meaning there’s plenty of leaf peeping to be had from late September through late October.
Photo courtesy of former NH State Senator Bob Letourneau.
One of the many ways to take in the colorful fall foliage season around the big lake is aboard the M/S Mount Washington which had a busy year celebrating its 150th anniversary this summer.
Over the past century and a half, the Mount has welcomed visitors from around the world, employed generations of crew, and helped families to celebrate special occasions. In 2022, Mount Washington Cruises celebrated not only the legacy of the Mount Washington, but also the dedication of her crew, the loyalty of communities around the lake, and the enthusiasm for The Mount within the tourism community.
From the original steam-powered sidewheeler to the 230-foot motorship cruising the lake today, the Mount Washington has been a fundamental part of life on Lake Winnipesaukee since 1872 when it started as the 178-foot S.S. Mount Washington side-wheeler built and launched by the Boston & Maine Railroad.
This season the Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society has been celebrating the Mount with a special collection featuring numerous images and objects representing this icon of Lake Winnipesaukee which will be on display at the museum through Columbus Day weekend when the museum will close for the season.
In July, Captain Morash shared stories at the museum from his 40-plus years on The Mount, with observations from his perspective piloting the vessel around the Big Lake. Starting as a deck hand when he was in college, and working through the ranks, Morash’s longtime love of the M/S Mount Washington eventually led to his current role as captain, co-owner, chief of operations and general manager.
Daily cruises are offered on the Mount from Weirs Beach at 10am and 12:30pm. From Wolfeboro, the ship departs at 11:15am Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the Mount Washington offers a departure from Alton Bay at 11:15am. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays dinner cruises are available from Weirs Beach, early enough to view the variety of fall’s colors and see the sun set on Lake Winnipesaukee.
The Lake Winnipesaukee Museum is located at 503 Endicott Street North, next to Funspot in the Weirs and is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10am-4pm through Columbus Day Weekend. The Mount itself will continue to cruise the lakes through October 22nd when it closes out the season with its Halloween Masquerade Ball.
Another great way to take in the foliage is the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad which offers 4-hour Fall Foliage Specials that run weekends starting September 23-25th until Columbus Day weekend. The train will start at Meredith and proceed north to Ashland over to Bridgewater and then to Plymouth for a hot lunch at the Common Man and then back to Meredith. Along the way you will cross the Ashland High Trestle and past Bonnie Brae Deer Farm and the Glove Hollow Christmas Tree Farm, all providing views of some of the more spectacular fall colors, south over Ashland Summit, past Lake Waukewan and make your way to Meredith Station where you will arrive just after 3pm.
Tickets for this memorable 4-hour excursion include the hot buffet lunch at the Common Man Inn & Spa, the guided tour of the 1869 Ashland Railroad Station and a souvenir tour booklet.
For ticket info and how to make reservations visit hoborr.com/fall-foliage-trains/