Moosilauke Snowboard Report

[bcborder]

Summary:

Very good conditions! I snowboarded the Gorge Brook Trail from
shortly below the summit of Moosilauke, then climbed back up the
Snapper Trail and the Carriage Road to the Glencliff Trail junction
and snowboarded back down to Ravine Lodge. Lots of powder of the
Gorge Brook Trail, same for the Snapper. There's a vicious 1/2 inch
rain/ice crust *above* about 3500", especially for snow not protected
by the trees that made the Carriage Road an interesting descent.


More details:

Parking was difficult for two wheel drive vehicles at the Ravine Lodge
intersection. It hasn't been plowed since the last storm. I was
parking on the main road (NH 118) behind several other cars when a NH
plow truck stopped next to me and said the police were coming to
ticket and tow the cars on the road. I moved my car to a plowed
turnout about 0.4 miles up the road. Several four wheel drive cars
and trucks were parked on Ravine Lodge Road before the gate. They
were all gone when I left so maybe the state will plow it out.
Anyhow, thanks to Eric and Dana for giving me a ride from the pullout
back to the start of Ravine Lodge Road.

I got started just before 10:00. Several snowshoers and skiers packed
out Ravine Lodge Road to Ravine Lodge. There were at least 4
snowshoers and a guy on tele skis in front of me on the Gorge Brook
Trail. I also met two guys on randonee gear who had come up the
Carriage Road and were coming down Gorge Brook. I dropped my board at
the alpine zone sign. The last 1/4 mile to the summit was pretty
unpleasant. I estimate the winds at 50 to 70 mph and it was cold.
Although it was cloudy with fog, there actually were some views,
if you could look up! This was strictly a tag the summit for me.

The snowboard ride back to the Snapper Trail junction was sweet.
Even though there were 3 skiers ahead of me, there was still plenty
of space to make turns. In fact, I think the two randonee guys
left Gorge Brook for their own secret stash because once I passed
the tele skier on the way down, I didn't see any fresh ski tracks
in front of me.

Back at the Snapper/Gorge Brook Trail junction I couldn't resist
another run. Part way up the Snapper I met the randonee ski guys
coming out of the woods, probably at secret stash. Then up the
Carriage Road to the Glencliff Trail junction. There's been a couple
snowmobiles on the carriage road but there's plenty of untracked on
the sides. On the way up I was thinking, this will be mine, not! I
was hoping to go to the South Peak summit but at the junction with the
Glencliff trail (which is packed out), it was socked in and blowing
pretty good.

Time for my last run back to Ravine Lodge. The Carriage Road is wide
with lots of untracked snow on the sides. There were actually pretty
good turns in the snowmobile tracks. The untracked sides were brutal
though, even for a snowboard! Thick, breakable crust. It took me
down once hard and that was enough. This was one of the few times I
was glad to have snowmobile tracks on a backcountry run. The Snapper
was fine, great powder and then an easy snowshoe back to the car.

 

[forestgnome]

Welcome! (although I think you've reported in "Trail Conditions" before)

Are these trails steep enough to keep going on the board once it gets warm and sloppy? (my favorite conditions ) Which route would be the best if I were going to chose one on a warm, slow day? Thanks.

Happy Trails

 

[David Metsky]

Snapper and Gorge you should be able to ride nearly all the way to the Lodge, even in the slop. Once there you won't be able to ride out the road, it requires lots of double poling on skis. There are a few sections of Gorge that require short climbs, but that's it.

Carriage Road to the trailhead is another story. It's a much more gentle trip out and has some rolling terrain.

Great report. Any pictures?

-dave-

 

[Double Bow]

I've never seen boarders on the trails before and I know almost nothing about snowboarding. Is it easy for them to stop when they come across hikers coming up the trail or is this something that hikers need to watch out for?

 

[David Metsky]

I've never seen boarders on the trails before and I know almost nothing about snowboarding. Is it easy for them to stop when they come across hikers coming up the trail or is this something that hikers need to watch out for?

It's the same as for skiers. Anyone sliding on snow has the responsibility to be in control and able to avoid hitting other hikers and uphill skiers. Good skiers and snowboarders are able to control their speed. Bad skiers and snowboards are not.

 

[bcborder]

slop, photos and boarders on the trails

I think the best riding in the slop would be the upper Carriage Road,
above the Snapper Trail to the Glencliff Junction. I skied the complete
Carriage Road several years ago and it gets pretty flat at the bottom.
The Gorge Brook and Snapper trails are not as steep as the Carriage Road.
I needed to ride the uptrack a fair amount on both trails to keep from
stalling out. Also I'm a big fan of carrying poles when backcountry
snowboarding (for both up and down). They can get you through the
flat spots when the only alternative is taking the board off. I was able to
ride the Ravine Lodge Road back to NH 118 after the initial climb from Ravine
Lodge. This was mostly due to a good uptrack and lots of poleing.

Thanks for the welcome, I post on the trail conditions occasionally but this
is my first post on the forums.

Unfortunately no photos. I brought my camera but there really wasn't
many views and I've already got a lot of photos of ski tracks in the trees!

If a snowboarder, skier, or anyone else can't avoid running into another
person in the backcountry, the snowboarder is over is head and doesn't
belong there, simple as that. If you don't hit someone else, you will hit
a tree, rock, etc and an injury and/or broken gear is not something you
want in winter in the backcountry.

I passed at least four snowshoers and a tele skiier on the way down. Usually
I just stopped and called ahead and people stepped aside so I could safely get
by. That also means I'm not bombing around blind corners or narrow gaps
in the trees (on the hiking trail that is).

Most of the time I'm climbing what I ride and anyone reasonable should be
descending with the assuption that someone may be coming up!

A place like Tecumseh is tough because you get people from the ski area
that shouldn't have left the groomed because they can't control themselves
in the backcountry environment. In general I belive people should be
allowed to acces the backcountry from a ski area but it should be hard
enough so that it's not easy for those who don't know what they're doing.

 

[forestgnome]

I've never seen boarders on the trails before and I know almost nothing about snowboarding. Is it easy for them to stop when they come across hikers coming up the trail or is this something that hikers need to watch out for?

I can stop on my board much more quickly than I ever could on my skies. Also, I don't get my pleasure from bombing at high speeds, even at ski areas. (not criticizing those who do!!!) I'm perfectly happy at walking speed, just as long as I can keep going, through the wintery forest.

It's been so long since I've hiked Mt Moosilaukee, and that was along the Carriage Rd. Looking forward to it this summer, and I'm planning on the Beaver Brook Trail, so I appreciate the info!

Happy Trails

 

[bubba]

bc - another welcome from another boarder. Nice report that highlights what soiunds to be a great place to ride (just to damn far for me...)

I tried to move a tree with my body as an early snowboarder -- at least I lived to tell about it. I can attest: trees are very solidly planted. The only thing that was budged was me!!! I was back to normal after a couple of years in pain. (no comments about being normal...)

 

[Doc McPeak]

Hmm. I've got Moose singled out for my 48th. Perhaps I should do it in style with a ride down? bubba, you game for that finish?

Great report! Makes me want to go ride...

 

[bubba]

I'm there for ya bud!!