Mount Blue?

[skiguy]

Was thinking about doing yet another trip to the "Moose". I have noticed that many of a Tramper here has made a side trip to Mt. Blue which I've bypassed every time I have been in that neck of the woods. What is the significance from a listers point of view if any? Would be glad to visit there otherwise..is there a view? Worthwhile anyhow? Feedback folks...Thanx

 

[1HappyHiker]

Mt. Blue

I’m sort of a newbie at hiking the Whites, but as far as I know, the only list Mt. Blue appears on is the Trailwrights 72. I was just there a few days ago. If there are any views, I missed them!! But, must admit I didn’t poke around much looking for any. It’s a very short and easy whack off the Beaver Brook Trail . . . you might want to do it just for the heck of it . . . won’t take much time or effort!

 

[David Metsky]

Yup, I think the only list it's on is the Trailwrights 72.

 

[skiguy]

Ah yes thanks for jogging my Memory. Mount Jim and South Peak of the Moose also are on the list in that neck of the woods. What to do ???hmm

 

[carole]

South Peak

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

The three Trailwrights peaks on the Moose are an interesting study in contrasts:

• South Peak: Definitely worth visiting for its own sake, with good views that are different from those seen from the main peak. Good trail.
• Mount Jim: A joke, but if you are on the Asquam Ridge Trail you might as well do the short "bushwhack" to its "summit".
• Mount Blue: A real bushwhack off the Beaver Brook Trail.

 

[David Metsky]

Keep in mind, if you're doing the Trailwrights list you have to do all four peaks in four separate trips.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Keep in mind, if you're doing the Trailwrights list you have to do all four peaks in four separate trips.

I view that as a feature, not a bug! More trips equals more fun!

 

[skiguy]

Keep in mind, if you're doing the Trailwrights list you have to do all four peaks in four separate trips.

Yet one could do all four peaks in one trip if they were not doing the list or if they were doing the list and were reconing where the peaks were to return on a different hike or trail While we are discussing the Moose; Dave do you have any insight to the (OLD?) trails that lay or are shown NE of Gorge Brook Trail on some Maps. I've noticed that the big old map in Ravine Lodge shows these trails. It looks like it might have been part of some old DOC Ski Area system. Are any of these still naviagble on foot and /or Skis?

 

[David Metsky]

There are several hiking trails that have been "lost" on Moosilauke. Some hiking trails have been rerouted, particularly Gorge Brook and Snapper, and the old routes are still mostly followable. The old Slide trail and the Asquamchumaukee trails have been abandoned but most of them can be followed. There are older lost trails from the 30's and 40's that are pretty much gone, like Hell's Highway and the old East Peak trail.

Th old ski trails were behind the Lodge on the Blue Ridge side, above the parking turn around. You can still spot and follow the old tow line, and the Dipper trail was possible to spot around 10-15 year ago, not sure about now. They were abandoned in the 50's and were reclaimed by nature fairly quickly.

 

[skiguy]

Great Beta Dave..I 've noticed that this area does not seem to be on The Lost Ski Areas Site . I would imagine the DOC must have some interesting old photos of that place; possibly in the Library at Ravine Lodge?

 

[sapblatt]

Hell's Highway

I am intrigued by that name - where exactly did Hell's Highway run?? I can think of a few trails that should have that name!

 

[David Metsky]

Hell's Highway was the original ski trail cut in the 30's that ran from just below South Peak down towards Gorge Brook. It was steep, rocky, and difficult. It also eroded away rather quickly and fell into disuse after the '38 Hurricane and no use during the war. We tried following the route in the 80's and think we were on parts of it, but there's little left to be sure.

 

[Grandaddy]

I remember seeing quite a few trail signs in the lodge and I think that there were a couple of pics on the walls. It's too bad, in a way, that it is not an active ski area. The thought of crashing in front of that giant fire place after a long day on the slopes...

 

[David Metsky]

Those trail signs on the wall by the stairs to the balcony are from a variety of DOC locations. Some are from Moosilauke but others are from trails, cabins, and shelters all over NH. When we replace signs the old ones find there way to MRL.

The ski area closed because in order to compete against the big areas starting up in the 50's they would have had to make a huge investment in resources and would have changed the entire character of the area. The ski tow only operated for 3-4 years, really. But we still ski on the mountain.

 

[skiguy]

But we still ski on the mountain.

Oh Yea we do Ravine Lodge is the way a lodge should be. The surrounding cabins are pretty kool too. Stayed there with the family a few years ago...great BaseCamp!