Mount Moosilauke via Gorge Brook Trail,Carriage Road and Snapper Tr - 9/22/18

Mount Moosilauke has lots of different trails that lead to the summit.  My wife Leesa missed out on my hike there the previous weekend, so I volunteered to go again... just taking a different trail.

For our 9/22 hike, we were also going to meet Leesa's brother Rob at the trailhead.  When we got there, his car was there but he was not.  We started the hike, figuring we'd hook up with him at some point.  This route for this trip began at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge  and climbed the Gorge Brook Trail to the summit.  For the decent, we made a counter clockwise loop by coming down the Carriage Road Trail to the Snapper Trail. 

The previous weekend had perfect weather, but this day wan't so promising.  The mountain was socked in with clouds that didn't show any sign of clearing.  It was also much colder (high 30's) and there was a fierce wind.  At treeline we met Rob, who had already been to the summit, but came back down to the trees to stay warm.

Looking NW to Black Mountain (open summit) from South Mountain.

Choices, choices

We went up via the Gorge Brook Trail and came down via the Snapper Trail

Interesting signwork...

Last water ... 3300'

With the weather the way it was, we didn't linger at the summit.  WE huddled behind the rock wind wall for a few minutes, but that was it.  We started down the carriage road trail towards South Peak.

We couldn't see beyond the summit cone

The old carriage road

At the South Peak spur trail we took the 0.1 mile spur to the summit.  It was starting to clear!  As we stood there at the top, the clouds blew out!  Moosilauke was now visible.  What also caught my eye was the open rock summit to the NW, which I determined was Black Mountain, not a 4000 footer, but a peak on the 52 with a view list.   Another future hike...

Moosilauke is soon to appear!

The summit of South Peak

A dedication...

Looking NE from South Peak

Looking towards the summit of South Peak

We debated whether to go back to Moosilauke, but it was still cold and windy so we chose to continue down.

Moosilauke appears!

There were quite a few people on the trail, in spite of the weather.  What can you say, Moosilauke is a popular mountain.  We enjoyed our trip.  This route is the most popular route and probably the least strenuous.

Hike Stats:
Hike Distance:  7.8 miles
Hike Time:  5 hours, including stops
Total Vertical Gain:  ~2600'

Mount Moosilauke via Beaver Brook Trail - Woodstock, NH - 9/14/18

Mount Moosilauke is a mountain with no equal.   It has a unique summit, unmatched for the large  open grassy summit it offers.  It is the southwestern most 4000 foot peak in NH and has a long history with Dartmouth College and the Dartmouth Outing Club.  In fact, Dartmouth just razed and built a new Moosilauke Ravine Lodge to replace the old building that had stood on the location since 1938.    The summit catches a lot of wind, so be prepared for that.

We went there on Saturday October 14th, on just the perfect weather day; sunshine, 60's and minimal wind.    We opted to take the more adventurous Beaver  Brook trail from the east.  The trailhead is the Beaver Brook parking area near Lost River on Route 112, perhaps 10 miles west of Route 3.  This is not a trail to take during wet conditions, but we knew that wasn't the case on our day.

An early warning sign...

One of the fine cascades on Beaver Brook

The concern on this trail is the steep sloping rock faces alongside Beaver Brook that are often wet and slippery.   Trail stewards have added wood steps make things a litter easier.  Just remember that the wood can also be quite slick.

Nicely placed assistance.

The early slick part of the trail is also the steepest.  The second half of the hike is quite a bit easier, another unusual thing about this mountain.  Along the lower ridge we passed a herd path leading to Mount Blue.  We decided to save this for the return.

1st view at the alpine zone! 

No matter which trail you take to the summit, the entrance to the alpine zone is nothing  short of jaw dropping.  The trees fall away and you are propelled forward towards the grassy dome; broken only by the stone lined trail and some stone wind breaks near the summit.

Looking back down the beaver brook trail with the Franconia Ridge in the back right of the picture.

Rev was after a squirrel that was using the cairn as a safe haven.

Look at the nearly perfect roundness of the ground!  I can't think of another summit that is similar.

Still watching for the squirrel.

Looking down the Gorge Trail from the summit.

We couldn't have asked for a better day on the summit.  It was almost nap worthy.

Nick on the summit.

One of the wind breaks at the summit. 

Heading back down the Beaver Brook Trail.

On the way back we took the short herd path to Mount Blue.  It was less than 0.2 miles to the summit.  No views, but a worthwhile diversion.

Nick and Rev checking out the Beaver Brook leanto.

The final descent

I've yet to ski this mountain in winter, but one of these years I'll make the trip.  I hear it's popular with skiers.  In any case, it's a mountain not to miss.


Hike Stats:
Hike Distance:  7.4 miles
Hike Time:  6   hours, including stops
Total Vertical Gain:  ~ 3350'