What can be more spectacular than standing on the top of the highest mountain in the Northeast and seeing the sunrise over the mountains and valleys to the east? In the pre-dawn darkness of Sunday, August 26, you’ll start up the Mt. Washington Auto Road, just 13 miles north of the Inn at Ellis River, and reach the top in time to await the new day. Plan ahead, since there are only three times each summer when you can drive up the auto road yourself to witness this spectacle ~ the last Sunday mornings in June, July and August. The opening time for the Auto Road is different each month to allow for the changing seasons: 4 pm on July 29, 2012, and 4:30 am on August 26, 2012. The inn will provide you with a voucher that will let your passenger ride free ($25 charge for auto and driver) and a romantic continental breakfast picnic to enjoy.

New at the Mount Washington Auto Road this year is another option if you would like photograph the mountain top sunrise or sunset: Guided Photography Tours, led by photographer Ernie Mills, offers three hour tours every Friday. The cost for the Guided Photography Tour is $150. Here are some photos by Ernie Mills of a June sunrise to inspire you.  It’s a bucket list must!