Moosilauke Carriage Road -- an underrated winter approach

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Years ago, during spring thaw, I hiked Mount Moosilauke by the Carriage Road and, SURPRISE!!!, found it very wet. I did not return to it for several years; my favorite route (summer or winter) is the Glencliff Trail. Last year, after I broke my wrist, I asked for suggestions for a trail that would give me a decent workout with very good footing (I was not using poles, and obviously did not want to fall again). Dave Metsky (thanks again, Dave!!) suggested the Carriage Road, and I enjoyed it enough to return a couple of times in the early summer, and again in the late summer/early fall.

I had never even considered it as a winter approach (why ), but a couple of weeks ago I read a trip report by our own Becca: Moosilauke Carriage Road. Two major points: Road was accessible and there were no snowmobilers (not enough snow, she hypothesized). An even more entertaining report of that trip (for skiers) can be found on T4T: Noobie on Moosilauke - D'OH!!!!.

After reading the TR I emailed her for some details, and then decided to do it when appropriate. That was yesterday, and I have posted a brief Trail Conditions report: Carriage Road to Mount Moosilauke, 3/12/2012.

I enjoyed the hike very much. It is longer than the Glencliff approach (5.1 vs. 3.9 miles to summit) with slightly less elevation gain (3,100 vs 3,300 feet), so the grade is perceptibly gentler. There are views to the south on the way down, but obviously the main attraction is the summit views.

So next time you are planning to hike The Moose, whatever the season is, consider the Carriage Road.

 

[DougPaul]

Two major points: Road was accessible and there were no snowmobilers (not enough snow, she hypothesized).

I was told that snowmobiles are currently banned from the road due to past infractions. I don't know how long the ban will last.

Doug

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Thanks for posting that, Mohamed - maybe I'll do it the next time I hike that peak. I've done Glencliff at least 35 times, but never done the mountain via the Carriage Road. One time many years ago a friend and I did something of a loop by going up Glencliff, then down via Carriage to the Hurricane, and then back to Glencliff. There was too much up on the Hurricane late in the hike, so decided that it didn't make a very good loop hike, at least in that direction.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

One time many years ago a friend and I did something of a loop by going up Glencliff, then down via Carriage to the Hurricane, and then back to Glencliff.

Did that loop many years ago while redlining The Moose. Did the other half of the Hurricane as a Gorge Brook -> Carriage Road -> Hurricane -> Gorge Brook loop. Never been on the Hurricane since, and have little desire to return to it

 

[Becca M]

Mohamed, Glad you had a good time!!!! It sounds like it is still skiable? How decent is the coverage???
(I'll be back!!! )

--Becca

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Becca,

Snow top to bottom, no bare patches. Of course, conditions may change with the tropical temps.

Have your new bindings arrived

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

I was told that snowmobiles are currently banned from the road due to past infractions.

Probably correct, as there is enough snow, and the blowdowns could easily be cleared if the snowmobile club was allowed to maintain it.

Let me add that, a few years ago, I did the classic Gorge Brook -> Carriage Road -> Snapper loop in winter. We did meet a few snowmobiles, but not enough to be an issue.

 

[Becca M]

Becca,

Snow top to bottom, no bare patches. Of course, conditions may change with the tropical temps.

Have your new bindings arrived

DANG!!! I bet the snow won't last until April, which is when I can get there!!!! (yeah, the new bindings arrived and I just assembled them last night - SWEET!!!! )

 

[DougPaul]

Let me add that, a few years ago, I did the classic Gorge Brook -> Carriage Road -> Snapper loop in winter. We did meet a few snowmobiles, but not enough to be an issue.

I have skied Snapper and the Carriage Rd a number of times in the past. I have met but never had any conflicts with snowmobiles although I have seen tracks beyond their designated turn-around point.

A friend has skied the Carriage Rd several times this winter, often in marginal conditions. I don't have any recent reports from him.

Doug

 

[David Metsky]

I was told that snowmobiles are currently banned from the road due to past infractions. I don't know how long the ban will last.

Where did you hear that? It would be hard to ban them from the Carriage Road since some of the grant money we got for the rebuild was in conjunction with the Asquamchumake Valley Snowmobile Club. Besides, at least some minority of snowmobilers would ignore any ban, as they always have.

 

[DougPaul]

Where did you hear that? It would be hard to ban them from the Carriage Road since some of the grant money we got for the rebuild was in conjunction with the Asquamchumake Valley Snowmobile Club. Besides, at least some minority of snowmobilers would ignore any ban, as they always have.

I heard that from a friend who has a cabin nearby and skis it fairly often.

I don't have any other details--it might be only for one year. (And yes, I know that enforcement is difficult.)

Doug

 

[hikerfast]

i LOVED this approach in winter. maybe somebody will find my kahtoola microspike!

 

[Mike P.]

I'm planning on going up the Carriage Road Saturday, I'll post a trail condition report after the weekend. I'll bring the shoes and spikes but I'm hoping just to see mud after this week.

 

[Mike P.]

Moosilauke Carriage Road is virtually snow free as far as the snapper trail. As of 3/24, lots of mud in many spots, especially down low and below the snowy spots. Above the Snapper lots of bare ground with patchy snow turning to nuisance snow & then at about 4,000 feet, maybe 1/2 mile below the Glencliff junction, there is enough snow so you could use snowshoes. After postholing several times, I put the snowshoes on & used them up South Peak and about 1/2 way to the main peak. The other two people who took the Carriage Road, either entirely or as are as the snapper managed without snowshoes. I managed to leave my water bottle (inside an old hiking sock) on the summit.

Only one other car at Snapper on Saturday, a very good hiking day and the lot does not require a WMNF Parking pass. Not sure in standard winters, how far up the road they plow and yesterday the water bars were full of leaves which helped make the muddy areas even larger. (I cleaned a dozen or so out but a group could spend all day doing it)

I'd do it again but I still have to do the Benton & Glencliff trail. Since I left my water bottle at the top, I drove to the Glenncliff & Beaver Brook trailheads hoping someonce brought it down. There is snow at Beaver Brook so I suspect the trip up is a mix of snow & ice.