BIGEarl
Well-known member
April 7, 2012: Moriah
Trails: Stony Brook Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail
Summits: Moriah
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
We managed to get started a little earlier than planned for this one. And, the conditions were much better than the experts had predicted. Nice! Moriah is another mountain we have previously neglected but we’re making up for it now. This will be our third consecutive month on Moriah.
As we were going through final prep for the day another vehicle pulled in with a couple of hikers from the Portland, Maine area. We all started off relatively close to each other and the others passed us before we reached the main crossing of Stone Brook. The hike to Moriah is a relatively short one and with an early start we were in no hurry to get through the hike.
The lower part of the trail up to approximately 3000 feet is generally clear and dry with a few muddy places to watch for. We had sunny and mild conditions to enjoy at the start but things started to change with elevation. We cleared the upper crossing of Stony Brook and started the climb. As we gained elevation we hiked into the snow cover, lower temperatures, and higher winds. By the time we were in the final steep pitch to the ridge and Carter-Moriah Trail junction we stopped to pull out another layer – it was getting uncomfortable. Along with another layer Sue changed to some warmer mittens. Even though the trail was completely covered by snow and ice we were both still bare booting the hike and having no traction problems at all. Along the way Sue commented she expected to use MICROspikes on the descent. Soon we reached the ridge and the top of Stony Brook Trail.
We made the turn north on Carter-Moriah Trail and started the climb to the summit of Moriah. On this hike I noticed the distance between the CMT trail junction and the summit depends on your starting location. From the CMT junction to Kenduskeag Trail (just off the summit) shows 1.3 miles on the trail sign; from Kenduskeag Trail to CMT junction shows 1.4 miles on the trail sign at the other end (I don’t know).
Slowly we made our way up through the ledges approaching the summit area of Moriah. The ledges were all generally clear of snow and ice but the trail segments connecting the viewpoints were still covered and in some places needed extra care. We watched our steps and managed to complete the climb to the top without pulling out the MICROspikes. In the course of the climb we experienced a big drop in temperature, the wind increased to the point of uncomfortable, and high overcast took over.
We made out way across to the final pitch up to the actual summit and were able to complete the final climb without added traction. At the summit we found the other two hikers that set off at roughly the same time as us. Soon after we arrived they left for their hike out. We hung around long enough to get our usual summit pictures and some additional pictures of a bunch of colorful birds working the area. Soon we made the u-turn and started our exit walk.
We left the summit and met a few others on their climb; a solo hiker and a couple couples. Roughly three-quarters of the way down through the ledges Sue pulled out her MICROspikes to help with the icy conditions. I decided to stay with a bare boot approach at least for a while longer. There were many small patches of ice to watch but with a little extra care I was able to descend without a problem, and stay upright in the process.
At the second open ledge we passed the hikers from Portland as they sat on the ledge, enjoying the views, and a snack. We arrived to the CMT – Stony Brook trails junction, made the turn, and continued heading for clear ground. I was thinking perhaps the MICROspikes should come out before starting down the steep drop from the ridge. I didn’t bother and was able to walk down without any problems. Once we were off the really steep descent Sue decided the day needed a snowman. We stopped and Sue went to work. Just as she was finishing up on the snowman one of the Portland crew caught up and stopped to visit. His partner was moving a little slower down the trail.
With the snowman distraction out of the way we set off for the final walk out. Soon we were on bare ground, Sue had her MICROspikes off and hung on her pack, and we were cruising from mud pit to mud pit (all were easy to get past). Down low we met a couple groups of dog-walkers on the trail. They sure make a mess – at least everything that should be on a leash was on a leash.
At the trailhead we were in the process of packing when the two from Portland returned. We all had a good hike to Moriah. It was mid afternoon and we were hitting the highway south – this is odd but it was a little too late to go climb something else.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
Trails: Stony Brook Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail
Summits: Moriah
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
We managed to get started a little earlier than planned for this one. And, the conditions were much better than the experts had predicted. Nice! Moriah is another mountain we have previously neglected but we’re making up for it now. This will be our third consecutive month on Moriah.
As we were going through final prep for the day another vehicle pulled in with a couple of hikers from the Portland, Maine area. We all started off relatively close to each other and the others passed us before we reached the main crossing of Stone Brook. The hike to Moriah is a relatively short one and with an early start we were in no hurry to get through the hike.
The lower part of the trail up to approximately 3000 feet is generally clear and dry with a few muddy places to watch for. We had sunny and mild conditions to enjoy at the start but things started to change with elevation. We cleared the upper crossing of Stony Brook and started the climb. As we gained elevation we hiked into the snow cover, lower temperatures, and higher winds. By the time we were in the final steep pitch to the ridge and Carter-Moriah Trail junction we stopped to pull out another layer – it was getting uncomfortable. Along with another layer Sue changed to some warmer mittens. Even though the trail was completely covered by snow and ice we were both still bare booting the hike and having no traction problems at all. Along the way Sue commented she expected to use MICROspikes on the descent. Soon we reached the ridge and the top of Stony Brook Trail.
We made the turn north on Carter-Moriah Trail and started the climb to the summit of Moriah. On this hike I noticed the distance between the CMT trail junction and the summit depends on your starting location. From the CMT junction to Kenduskeag Trail (just off the summit) shows 1.3 miles on the trail sign; from Kenduskeag Trail to CMT junction shows 1.4 miles on the trail sign at the other end (I don’t know).
Slowly we made our way up through the ledges approaching the summit area of Moriah. The ledges were all generally clear of snow and ice but the trail segments connecting the viewpoints were still covered and in some places needed extra care. We watched our steps and managed to complete the climb to the top without pulling out the MICROspikes. In the course of the climb we experienced a big drop in temperature, the wind increased to the point of uncomfortable, and high overcast took over.
We made out way across to the final pitch up to the actual summit and were able to complete the final climb without added traction. At the summit we found the other two hikers that set off at roughly the same time as us. Soon after we arrived they left for their hike out. We hung around long enough to get our usual summit pictures and some additional pictures of a bunch of colorful birds working the area. Soon we made the u-turn and started our exit walk.
We left the summit and met a few others on their climb; a solo hiker and a couple couples. Roughly three-quarters of the way down through the ledges Sue pulled out her MICROspikes to help with the icy conditions. I decided to stay with a bare boot approach at least for a while longer. There were many small patches of ice to watch but with a little extra care I was able to descend without a problem, and stay upright in the process.
At the second open ledge we passed the hikers from Portland as they sat on the ledge, enjoying the views, and a snack. We arrived to the CMT – Stony Brook trails junction, made the turn, and continued heading for clear ground. I was thinking perhaps the MICROspikes should come out before starting down the steep drop from the ridge. I didn’t bother and was able to walk down without any problems. Once we were off the really steep descent Sue decided the day needed a snowman. We stopped and Sue went to work. Just as she was finishing up on the snowman one of the Portland crew caught up and stopped to visit. His partner was moving a little slower down the trail.
With the snowman distraction out of the way we set off for the final walk out. Soon we were on bare ground, Sue had her MICROspikes off and hung on her pack, and we were cruising from mud pit to mud pit (all were easy to get past). Down low we met a couple groups of dog-walkers on the trail. They sure make a mess – at least everything that should be on a leash was on a leash.
At the trailhead we were in the process of packing when the two from Portland returned. We all had a good hike to Moriah. It was mid afternoon and we were hitting the highway south – this is odd but it was a little too late to go climb something else.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
