Mt. Washington and Champney Falls hike

We knew we wanted to go to the top of Mt. Washington, where the highest wind ever was recorded (231 mph). For some reason the toll to drive up is $45 per car PLUS $20 per adult passenger. $65 seems like a lot of money to drive up a dangerous, potentially fog shrouded road. So we decided on the cog railway, which is actually much more expensive, but a lot easier and they have a guide narrating the ride. So at least it seemed like we were getting something for our money other than a near death experience. The thing about Mt. Washington is the signs brag it has the worst weather in the world, and when we got to the summit, sure enough it was enveloped in clouds and really windy. The woman in the gift shop said they get 60 clear days a year. So you spend money to get up there with a slim chance you will get the full views of 5 states and Quebec. What you usually get is shown here:

It is really windy up there and the clouds would break a bit occasionally and everyone would scramble to see/ take a picture of the views like this:

Notice how bright and sunny it is? Also notice everyone is wearing coats and stuff? It was around 90 at the base of the railway and I think around 50 with howling 40 mph winds at the summit. It was really cool to be up there, not sure it's worth the cost though. Felt like gouging to me, but of course we all paid, so more power to them, I guess. After that we had a late lunch at Muddy Moose in Conway, which was a good meal at a nice place. We then tried to see Diana's baths which are nice waterfalls, but they have a tiny parking lot and we could not get a spot, so we moved on to Cathedral Ledge, which is the next turn. We went to the trailhead and tried to hike the trail, but it wasn't marked at all from what we could tell and their were several paths you could take. After going down one and ending up heading back towards the parking lot, in 94 degree heat, we decided "F this" and got back in the nice A/C in the car. We did see the big granite slab that people climb though (think a mini version of El Capitan in Yosemite). We decided to drive the Kancamangus Scenic Byway which follows the Swift River through the White Mountains National Forest. It is a nice ride and we pulled off at one point, threw on our water shoes and waded in the river for a bit, just to cool off and check out the view. After our river wading, we hopped back in the car to continue on the byway and eventually head to dinner and our hotel in Concord. That was the plan anyway. But after driving for about 15 minutes we saw a sign for Champney Falls. The signs said it was a 1.4 mile hike each way. It had cooled off some by this point (it was almost 6 by now) and we wanted to see a waterfall, so in we went. The whole 1.4 mile thing turned out to be a lie, as that was the distance to where you could keep straight for a trail to the mountain top or turn left to see the falls. Getting to the top of the falls turned out to be another 1/3rd mile, basically walking up steps the whole time. But the views are nice.

Also here is a pic of the steps that don't count in the distance measurement, apparently:

By the time we got done with the hike and drove to the end of the byway it was after 9 and we still needed dinner. Only problem was the town the byway ended at was tiny and after 9 everything was closed down. So I thought we'd just stop at a truck stop on the highway, as we still had nearly an hour drive. One problem, there is NOTHING on that stretch of I-95. So, dinner was Belvita breakfast biscuits, Sour Cream and Onion chips and mini-Twix. Nutrition at its best! But that happens sometimes when you fly by the seat of your pants. We survived and collapsed into bed at the hotel.