Mt. Moriah, opinions/comments

[stu]

Planning a north/south Carter/WildCat traverse for Columbus Day weekend. I plan to stay at the imp shelter the first night out. Starting at 8 or 9 in the morning, I am trying to decide wether to take StoneyBrook trail to the shelter, drop the pack, then climb Moriah and back to shelter, or.... start in Gorham, take the Carter/Moriah trail to the summit and then down to shelter? I want to make sure I get a spot in the shelter as I will not be carrying a tent and it is a holiday weekend. Both ways are fairly equal in distance. Other then that which trail is a nicer walk. Which trail has better views on the way up. What would you do? I look forward to your comments and opinions. Also one add'l question. Does anyone have the phone # of a taxi service out of Gorham? Thanks, Stu.

 

[skiguy]

The views are far better on the Carter Moriah Trail than the Stoney Brook. The Stoney Brook is definitely the easier and quicker approach to Imp Shelter.
If you go Stoney Brook and drop Pack you will still get some great views on the way to Moriah from Imp. I would rate the Carter Moriah Trail from Gorham to be quite a bit more difficult especially with an overnight Pack than the Stoney Brook, but much more viewage. Since you are going on to the rest of the Carter Range and the Wildcats and also have no Tent I would certainly opt for the Stoney Brook/drop Pack option. This is a VERY busy weekend and this option would take alot of Stress out of your day.

Talk to arghman about the taxi service.

 

[stu]

Skiguy

Interesting. You mention some valid points! Hmmmmm! Stu

 

[SherpaKroto]

I go completely reverse of skiguy's thoughts re: views. I think the views up to Moriah once you reach Cater Moriah Trail to be excellent, and the return views of the Presis and Moriah Brook drainage awesome (but you'd see them anyway. I'm not a big fan of the lower section of Carter Moriah Trail on Bangor Rd. Not exactly sure why - it's just not one of my faves. Mt Surprise is nice, the little hump on the way to Moriah summit is a bit disheartening (as are most false summits). Getting to Imp Shelter around noon certainly increases your chances of a spot! (Lay out your pad and bag!!!)

I guess this will tell you that all routes up are excellent, so you can't go wrong!

 

[stu]

Sherpa

I guess I have'nt decided yet. (Both sound sweet), but thanks for your input. Nice meeting you, Mark and your crew on Isreal Ridge last weekend. I finally got to meet someone from this fine group of people. Anyone else have an opinion? Keep im coming...Stu

 

[skiguy]

I go completely reverse of skiguy's thoughts re: views. I think the views up to Moriah once you reach Cater Moriah Trail to be excellent

Just my Point..."ONCE" you get to the Carter Moriah trail.
You would net "MORE" overall views if you were to go up via Bangor Road but might be sacrificing a place at IMP. The sensible compromise is to go to IMP via Stoney Brook and return to Moriah via Carter Moriah Trail. Thence netting "SOME" good views and getting a place in the shelter.

 

[arghman]

re taxicabs, see this thread

 

[skinhawk]

I did the exact hike your are pondering ( up Stoney Brook ) for the same reasons. The extra weight of an overnight pack and arriving early at the shelter. I left the trailhead at 10:30AM, arrived at Imp shelter around
1-1:30PM, and unloaded my pack. I took a short break, then left for Moriah at 2:00. The hike up Moriah from this side has great views to the east. I summited Moriah and got back to the shelter around 5:00 in time for cocktail hour. ( perhaps this might explain the extra weight??? )

 

[stu]

gotta love it!

Decision made! Thanks arghman for the taxi info and skinhawk for painting the picture. I will be taking stoneybrook to the shelter and then summit. I love this board! over and out...Stu