Also on this trip

Trails Used

Moosilauke Carriage Road, Beaver Brook Trail, herd path, Asquam Ridge Trail, Gorge Brook Trail, Snapper Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

This was a 17.2-mile loop (4,650' gain) starting from just below the trailhead to the Moosilauke Carriage Rd., following this to the summit (with a brief side trip to visit scenic South Peak), and then taking the Beaver Brook Trail and Asquam Ridge Trail down to the Ravine Lodge. I also visited Mt. Blue, which has a well-defined herd path leaving from the Beaver Brook Trail about halfway between the Benton Trail and Asquam Ridge Trail junctions. This offers no views at all (think Zealand Mtn. without the unique summit placard), but it's a short walk with pleasantly soft footing, and I had never been up there before. To get back to the car, I took the Gorge Brook Trail and Snapper Trail to return to the Carriage Road before descending. Early signs of fall foliage were visible, with a few yellows showing, but nowhere near peak, and almost all of the leaves were still up. Views from Moosilauke and South Peak were spectacular (as always), especially with no haze on this cool, brisk morning. Trails were pleasantly dry for the most part, with a few muddy sections on the upper Carriage Road below treeline, and particularly on the west side of Mt. Blue when approaching on the Beaver Brook Trail. Full route details on Unnecessary Climb!

Parking

Recommended parking is at a pull-off on Breezy Point Rd., about 1.2 miles from Route 118 and 0.4 miles from the actual trailhead. Above this point, the road narrows significantly, and if you persevere (which I briefly did), conditions deteriorate to high-clearance 4WD only- think rutted road, large chunks of missing pavement, and an increasing number of decently-sized rocks. There is no place to turn around once you've committed, so I ended up reversing about a tenth of a mile to get back to the parking area I should have chosen the first time for my AWD, low-clearance hatchback.

Water Crossings

All significant crossings were bridged. Otherwise, I can't recall anything more than a minor stepover.

Wildlife

Almost none- no repellent needed!

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Gorge Brook Trail, abandoned Gorge Brook Slide Trail, bushwhack, Carriage Road, Beaver Brook Trail, herd path, Asquam Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

A beautiful day for another big loop over Moosilauke, incorporating a fifth ascent of the old Gorge Brook Slide Trail. Every time I make this climb, it's different. The bottom is starting to get choked with small blowdowns and higher up requires pushing through spruce in spots. Thankfully, the ledge sections were dry. Above the slide, the old trail is obvious in the woods at first but fades out pretty quickly. Just bushwhack uphill. Smooth sailing on Carriage Road, which is down to one lane in places due to spruce growth. Gonna need to be cut back to accommodate skiers. The summit was busy, with a lot of hikers there when I arrived, joined by two groups of backpackers who came up Beaver Brook Trail. Weather on top was delightfully cool and comfortable, a welcome change from this summer's heat and humidity. While it is a longer return route at almost six miles, the walk back on Beaver Brook and Asquam Ridge trails is generally quiet, with no other souls seen on the latter. The perfect way to end a full day on one of my favorite mountains.

Parking

Roadside in the designated hiker parking at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge.

Wildlife

None!

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Asquam Ridge Trail, Beaver Brook Trail, bushwhack, Gorge Brook Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Wonderful day to explore some new trails. Asquam Ridge Trail is a gentle approach to Beaver Brook Trail with pretty nice footing. Down lower by the river the vegetation is growing in a bit, so be prepared to brush up against tall grass. Luckily, no ticks seemed to hitch a ride today. Didn't find a canister on Mt. Blue, and based on some research, I'm guessing these have been removed/stolen in recent years. Summit of Mooilauke wasn't as busy as expected... maybe 15 people up there at any given time. The temps were perfect with minimal wind. Took Gorge Brook Trail down to switch things up a bit. Not sure if it's any faster than the typical Carriage Road/Snapper Trail combo, but it was worth a try.

Parking

Ravine Lodge Road had plenty of parking close to the lodge along the road.

Water Crossings

No issues - wooden bridges make things easy.

Wildlife

Mostly on Asquam Ridge Trail where it follows the river, but not enough to put bug spray on.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Beaver Brook Trail,herdpath,Carriage Road,Snapper Trail,Gorge Brook Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Beautiful day for Moosilauke. Views for days with a light refreshing breeze. Summit was busy as expected with many enjoying the fine day

Parking

Dropped at Beaver Brook Trailhead 3 vehicles on arrival large lot. fee required. Carspot at Ravine Lodge Road which was quite busy

Water Crossings

No issues minor rockhops

Wildlife

Very active, deet helped

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Beaver Brook Trail, herd path, Carriage Road, South Peak Spur, Glencliff Trail, Road Walk, Warren Recreational Rail Trail, Wachipauka Pond Trail, herd path

Trail Conditions

Notes

Epic day to grid out Moosilauke! We started hiking at BB at 5AM and finished around 12:30. Skies opened up within a minute or two of us finishing hike-perfect timing. We stayed dry all morning and had great views on Moosilauke summits. Much less snow than anticipated. Was glad to have boots but trailrunners would be okay already if you lean that way and don't mind soggy feet. Carried spikes, only a few very short sections where snow was unavoidable. Also carried trailrunners which we swapped to at 4200' on Glencliff for rest of day. First traces were at 4K'. Slightly breezy and chilly but pleasant in the alpine. Waterfalls were gorgeous on way up. Snuck up on a snowshoe hare just past main summit sitting right on the trail. Only 4th time I've seen one in 11 years of Whites hiking and two of those sightings were in the last ten days! Mt. Blue herd path is obvious to find as you pass it and easy to follow to summit with good footing. We road walked to skip the wide crossing on Town Line trail. Jumped on the rail trail we saw on the map and saw many bags of trash that had been dragged from the adjacent neighborhood and shredded in the woods and on trail. Saw one overflowing dumpster might have been the culprit... That's a bummer that's how bears get habituated and we end up with pemi situations:(. Enjoyed a snack break at pond for a few minutes before the mosquitoes appeared and we bugged out. Took the herdpath at north end of pond and it is in good shape. Spits you out at the south end to avoid any out-and-backs. Awesome spot. Really fun traverse and we saw a 1:1 ratio of hikers (section hiker) to snowshoe hares on one of New Hampshire's finest 4K peaks over fifteen miles-so that's a great Sunday!!!

Parking

Fee lot at BB trailhead. car spot by powerlines on 25C

Water Crossings

easy rock hops

Wildlife

nonexistent until we reached the pond. Mosquitoes appeared at the pond. Was tolerable without a net or spray but in a few days this section of AT between Glencliff and 25C is going to be horrendous with skeeters

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Ravine Lodge Road, Gorge Brook Trail, Snapper Trail, Carriage Road, South Peak Spur, bushwhack, Asquam Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

The Moose Loop. Conditions were perfect, cruising right over the top of the hard pack on micro spikes. Easiest Mt. Blue Shwack ever. Flurries early give way to big sun up Carraige, haze cast up high to increasing clouds down Jim and a steady snow driving out.

Water Crossings

Crossings Bridged