Mt. Moosilauke trail suggestions?

[Mongoose]

I'm taking 3 people up for a day hike this weekend. They are new to winter hiking but are in good shape. I figure Moosilauke will be a good hike. It has some alpine zone but not so much that if the weather turned bad, we'd have to miss out on most of the hike.

Now, I've always gone up Beaver Brook trail but what are the other trails like? Are they easier/harder than Beaver Brook? I want to pick a fairly easy trail since they're new.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

In winter I have gone up by the Glencliff and Gorge Brook trails.

Glencliff is short, 3.9 miles each way, with 3,300 feet of elevation gain, and has some steep sections. The Glencliff Trail itself is in the trees, but on the west (windward) side of the mountain, on one trip we all had face protection on from about 3,000 feet (way below treeline). The final approach along the Carriage Road is, to me, fascinating: as the trees grow shorter the wind grows stronger. One advantage: if the wind is too much for the summit, you can get to the summit of the South Peak.

Gorge Brook is longer, 5.3 miles each way with the road walk. In spite of the road walk the elevation gain is less; 2,800 feet, so it is less steep. There is a section of sidehill above treeline that I found myself mildly uncomfortable on. By and large it is sheltered on the east side of the mountain (of course not at the summit).

If you go up Gorge Brook and the weather is good enough to cross the Carriage Road then a loop, going down by Carriage Road and Snapper, is a delightful option.

However you do it, one of my favorite peaks.

 

[blacknblue]

I'll second Mohamed's reply. Glenclif Trail is steady but not overly steep, except for one section just below the South Summit. Then you have a nice ridgewalk over to the main summit. That would probably be best for newbies because you get the elements in incremental stages. On Gorge Brook, the wind tends to hit you all at once as you come over the shoulder of the mountain.

The Benton Trail is similar to Glenclif, but I'm not sure if the approach road (off Rt. 118) is plowed in the winter.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

The Benton Trail is similar to Glencliff, but I'm not sure if the approach road (off Rt. 118) is plowed in the winter.

According to the WMNF Forest Road Status page the Tunnel Brook Road is CLOSED.

 

[Mongoose]

Glenclif sounds good, I'll plan to do that then. I assume the road to the trailhead is plowed in the winter?

 

[marty]

Glenclif sounds good, I'll plan to do that then. I assume the road to the trailhead is plowed in the winter?

Yep, it's plowed and there is a parking area at the trailhead that is usually plowed, too.


Regards,
Marty

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Road is plowed, as it leads to the Glencliff Home for the Elderly. The parking lot was also plowed every time I have been there.

 

[Jason Berard]

The road and the lot are plowed. I was there today. Also, there is a town garage lot across from the trailhead lot that you can use as an overflow lot if the "real" lot is full. This is a popular trail, and is sometimes full,as it was today.

 

[blacknblue]

The road and the lot are plowed. I was there today. Also, there is a town garage lot across from the trailhead lot that you can use as an overflow lot if the "real" lot is full. This is a popular trail, and is sometimes full,as it was today.

That's commonplace for New Years Day. Moosilauke is a popular New Years Day tradition for those who aren't interested in staying up past midnight.

 

[RoySwkr]

Now, I've always gone up Beaver Brook trail but what are the other trails like? Are they easier/harder than Beaver Brook?

I have been up or down 7 different trails on M in winter conditions and BB is by far the hardest due to the gorge section lower down, the chief thing it has to recommend it is easy drive and less distance and elevation gain

The Benton Trail and those from Ravine Lodge are tougher in winter than in summer as you have to walk in farther

Glencliff is a good choice although you have long exposure above treeline and more elevation gain than BB

 

[vegematic]

What is the parking situation at Ravine Lodge road in winter? Am I likely to be out of luck arriving at 9 a.m. on a nice Saturday?

-vegematic

 

[DougPaul]

What is the parking situation at Ravine Lodge road in winter? Am I likely to be out of luck arriving at 9 a.m. on a nice Saturday?

I've always been able to find a spot. (Parking is on a short plowed section of RLR just off 118.)

Doug