Al Merrill -- Asquam Ridge loop (Moosilauke)

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Today I wanted to do a small hike, and wanted to get some more trails in the western Whites redlined. I had never done the Al Merrill Loop, so decided to go up it and down the Asquam Ridge Trail, for a distance of 5.1 miles and 1,050 vertical feet. A delightful loop that is not well known.

From the turnaround at the end of the road the Al Merrill Loop rises very gently to an excellent viewpoint, the 10th Mountain Division Memorial Overlook. A mellow 900 feet spread over 2.4 miles. Excellent footing adds to the pleasure. I feel that even I, a lousy XC skier, could do it quite easily on skis.

The views from the overlook give an idea of the size of the Moose. You can see the ridge from the South Peak, over the main summit to Mount Blue (trees hide Mount Jim) with excellent views into the ravine of Gorge Brook and Jobildunk Ravine.

Beyond the overlook the trail get narrower, rockier and rootier for a short distance, then improves somewhat (but never becomes as mellow as the first part). It soon drops about 400 feet to rejoing the Ridge Trail. This trail descend moderately to cross the Baker River, then runs along the river with a minimal incline.

A most enjoyable trip, all that now remains to redline the Moose itself is the Hurricaine Trail. Probably will do a loop from Ravine Lodge: Gorge Brook, Hurricaine, Glencliff, Carriage Road and finally Dave's own Snapper Trail.

 

[RoySwkr]

...all that now remains to redline the Moose itself is the Hurricaine Trail. Probably will do a loop from Ravine Lodge: Gorge Brook, Hurricaine, Glencliff, Carriage Road and finally Dave's own Snapper Trail.

You could start on the officially-abandoned trails and come down the Gorge Brook Slide, that seems to still be in use in winter at least.

 

[el-bagr]

come down the Gorge Brook Slide, that seems to still be in use in winter at least.

check! Depending on your definition of redlining, that's one I wouldn't want to miss. Much more technical in winter for various reasons, definitely doable in summer for slide/bushwhack climbers.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Abandoned Gorge Brook Slide trail

Dave, where are you when I need you?

 

[el-bagr]

Ascend Gorge Brook Trail to the "Last Sure Water" point. The route diverges into the woods here, running parallel to the brook, then crossing it (this point can be hard to find). After a short downhill pitch, reach the bottom of the slide (which is still fairly open). I think the slide is blazed in black and orange. After the slide, join up with the Carriage Road over a short but fairly obvious woods path.

 

[David Metsky]

Hey, I'll take you there the next time we hike at Moosilauke. The directions posted by el-bagr are accurate but it can be difficult to find if you don't know the distances. I haven't been up it in 3-4 years, but it still gets regular use. I used to climb it all the time.

The slide itself is fairly easy, with a few loose sections. From the top of the slide to the Carriage Road is pretty grown in with many blowdowns, or it was when I last hiked it, but fairly easy to follow.

There's a few other abandoned trails on Moosilauke, check the old topos. One or two are still followable, the rest just look like woods.

Here's a photo from several years ago. It's near the bottom of slide, I believe.

-dave-

 

[spencer]

The hardest part of El-bagr's directions is finding the trail after entering the woods from "last water"

as I recall, head into the woods about 30 yards and bang a left. You drop down a bit at El-bagr mentions and should find some old orange and black blazes.

spencer

 

[David Metsky]

Most folks lose there way at the stream crossing, where you are going downhill and the trail pretty much is obiliterated by the wandering banks of Gorge Brook. Once you know where you are going it's hard to miss, but the first time is always interesting.

-dave-

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

The Moose has been redlined!

Since Hurricaine Charley was too busy to visit us in the Whites I decided to finally do Hurricaine Trail today. There were few cars at the Lodge, earlier forecasts must have kept the out of staters back home!

I followed my original plan, starting at the Lodge and going by Gorge Brook, Hurricaine, Glencliff, up to South Peak for views and lunch, and back by Carriage Road, Snapper and Gorge Brook. Roughly ten miles and 4,000 feet.

The loop was interesting in that it involved trails that I rarely use. I have been up and down the Carriage Road exactly once, ditto the Carriage Road/Snapper combo. Obviously this was my first time on the Hurricaine. Glencliff, on the other hand, is an old friend.

These trails are less used by hikers, I would humbly suggest for very good reasons. The Carriage Road and Snapper Trail may be fun ski trails, but have little to recommend them as hiking trails. Hurricaine Trail allows you to combine Glencliff with any of the trails starting at the Lodge, but who (other than a redliner) would want to do that?

Enough grumbling, any day on the trails beats a day at the computer

 

[RoySwkr]

These trails are less used by hikers, I would humbly suggest for very good reasons. The Carriage Road and Snapper Trail may be fun ski trails, but have little to recommend them as hiking trails.

I would agree that Snapper Trail is recommended only for hikers who don't like steep scrambling over rocks and roots, like my friend who probably couldn't have gotten up Moosilauke any other way.

As for you ME, we told you about a "better" way and you didn't use it.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

I would agree that Snapper Trail is recommended only for hikers who don't like steep scrambling over rocks and roots, like my friend who probably couldn't have gotten up Moosilauke any other way.

I wonder, was that before the relocation of the Gorge Brook Trail? It is now pretty mellow.

As for you ME, we told you about a "better" way and you didn't use it.

Will do it one day with Dave to guide me

 

[David Metsky]

Don't be bad mouthin' my trail! (Snapper) Actually I find it a fairly pleasant hike in the woods, still some trailwork to be done but a huge improvement over the old trail.

-dave-

 

[RoySwkr]

I wonder, was that before the relocation of the Gorge Brook Trail? It is now pretty mellow.

I suggested going down that way, but was rebuffed because:
* Approaching summit, Gorge Brook has stone steps designed for giants that my friend didn't want to go down
* Up to Last Water, Gorge Brook is still on old route and very rocky as noted turning off on Snapper