Moosilauke Questions

[BIGEarl]

I'm working on putting a plan together for the coming weekend and am thinking Moosilauke may be included. My current thoughts are for an early start on Tecumseh and, if that goes well, head to Moosilauke for the afternoon. I'm interested in learning about the general conditions that exist. My basic assumption is a traction aid and snowshoes are probably both still needed. But, I could be wrong, which is the reason for my questions.

Has anybody hiked Moosilauke recently that can offer some details? My preferences would be Gorge Brook, Glencliff, or Carriage Road but if the access road to Ravine Lodge is still gated Beaver Brook becomes a possible choice.

Is the access road to Ravine Lodge still gated?

Are we at a point where Stabilicers are an adequate traction aid or are crampons still needed in many cases?

Any current information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Earl

 

[DougPaul]

Is the access road to Ravine Lodge still gated?

http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11896
(sticky at the top of the Q&A NE page)

or

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/recreation/roads_status.php

Doug

 

[BIGEarl]

http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11896

or

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/recreation/roads_status.php

Doug

Thanks Doug.

I'm aware of the Forest Service Road Status reports. I also recall last year when the access road to Ravine Lodge was opened for roughly three weeks before the referenced reports were updated. Evidently there may be a delay between the DOC opening the road and the Forest Service knowing about it.

Earl

 

[peakbagger]

Based on a lot of comments last weekend, stabilicers are probably not of much use. Many of the trails consist of thick packed frozen ice with slush on top, deep points have a chance of cutting through the slush and hitting something solid while stabilicers would tend to slide on the soup. Then again conditions are changing day to day, mountain to mountain so might as well bring everything. I used bareboots, crampons, snowshoes all in a one mile section of trail last weekend (and didnt see any conditions where Stabilicers would have been my choice of tool.

 

[David Metsky]

The DOC does control the gate, and they sometimes open it for work on the lodge before the road is ready for prime time, so take an open gate with caution. The best thing to do is to contact the DOC directly:

(603) 646-2429
[email protected]

-dave-

 

[Sirdar]

Moosilauke Conditions

Big Earl, We hiked Moosilauke via Beaver Brook on Saturday, the 19th on an AMC lead hike. Conditions are deteriorating rapidly. Snowshoes were a must on the ascent. Stream crossings were easily negotiated but snow bridges are all but gone. There is no snow or ice above tree line. Snow shoes were adequate for the descent but one member of our group used crampons and I felt they were the better choice for a couple of the steepest sections. I don't think intermediate traction such as microspikes or stabilicers would be of any value. Hope this helps, have a great hike!

Sirdar

 

[BIGEarl]

Thanks. It looks like either Beaver Brook or Glencliff. We may try for an early start with intentions to hike Tecumseh after Moosilauke, (if everything goes well). I believe Beaver Brook will save a little drive time. But, Glencliff has more sun exposure.

Probably a coin toss.

 

[dentonfabrics]

Update for you BIGearl, Ravine Rd was still gated last Wednesday the 23rd.