Side Path For South Peak

[DayTrip]

I was planning on hitting Moosilauke this weekend and I noticed in AMC Guide that there is a well marked side path to climb up to South Peak, with good views. I have only done Glencliff Trail once and it was last April when there was still a decent amount of snow and ice on trail. I do not recall seeing any side path at/near junction with Carriage Road as described in the Guide.

Is there any kind of sign at that path? Will it be more obvious to see on bare ground? Want to be sure and include the views from there on the hike. If anyone can describe in more detail where this side path is it would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Guthook]

I was up there in early August this year, and the trail is very well marked, hard to miss. The junction is directly where the Glencliff Trail hits the Carriage Trail, and there's a sign that says "South Peak 0.1 mile". I think the 0.1 is a bit off, but it's definitely there.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Here is a track log overlaid on the topo map. The topo does not show the spur, but it is pretty hard to miss.

http://caltopo.com/map?id=7C5C

Tim

 

[Kevin Rooney]

... I think the 0.1 is a bit off, but it's definitely there.

Tactfully put. Many of the signs on Moosilauke are a "bit off", but I guess that's part of the charm.

As others have noted, the sign/path are nearly impossible to miss, especially when headed downhill.

 

[nartreb]

The intersection is a little bit confusing - forms a sharp angle very near another intersection, so it's possible to misinterpret which way the sign is pointing (unless the sign was moved since I was last there). If after a couple minutes you're not on top of the south summit, you went the wrong way. The beginning of the spur trail is narrow and snakes through some dense trees, would be easy to miss in winter. But it's quite well-trod, easy to see when bare.\

Edit: Make that, "If you find yourself going downhill, you went the wrong way." You really will know within a minute or two, even if it takes you a few minutes more to reach the peak; the other trails don't stay on top of the ridge.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

If after a couple minutes you're not on top of the south summit, you went the wrong way.

It takes me more than a few minutes to climb South Peak - it's been a couple of years since I was there last, but my recollection is that it took me (and my companions) about 15-20 minutes. It's probably about 1/3-1/4 mile from the junction in question.

 

[Driver8]

It takes me more than a few minutes to climb South Peak - it's been a couple of years since I was there last, but my recollection is that it took me (and my companions) about 15-20 minutes. It's probably about 1/3-1/4 mile from the junction in question.

I did it May 5, 2012 on a beautiful day. I'd say 1/4 mile, maybe 0.2. The views from up there on a clear day - down to Tunnel Brook Ravine and up to the main summit, and beyond - are magnificent. Worth the relatively easy side trip.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

My GPS track says 0.2 miles, in agreement with others.

I would describe the trail as easy to miss if you are not looking for it, but impossible to miss it you are.

 

[David Metsky]

I would describe the trail as easy to miss if you are not looking for it, but impossible to miss it you are.

A perfect description.

 

[DayTrip]

Did the trail today and the huge orange sign marked "SOUTH PEAK" is pretty obvious and without snow the footpath is pretty easy to spot. AMC Guide says it is .2 miles (as everyone has previously noted the 0.1 on the sign definitely appears off) and I think it took me 10 minutes (I took a few quick stops). I don't believe that sign was there last April. It looks brand spanking new(like many signs I saw today) but seeing where the spot is now I recall there was a large group of people sprawled out in that spot last year eating snacks and putting on cold weather gear. They may have been blocking it when I went by. All irrelevant. Both summits were socked in with fog this morning, although everything was clearing out splendidly as I was about half way down.

As an aside I took the Snapper Trail back over to Gorge Trail off Carriage Road on return. I hit a wide cleared area with a reasonably large cairn but no sign. My GPS indicated it was near the trailhead so I turned down it only to quickly find it was very lightly traveled and hard to follow with the leaves and twigs all over it. It dropped fairly steeply down for awhile and then there was the well trodden Snapper Trail in front of me. ???? Is this just some sort of bushwhack short cut to eliminate walking out to the corner and back? I imagine if I had continued a little far down the Carriage Road there would have been a sign? Just wondering what that was. Very clearly marked so I presume it had some sort of benefit, although I don't see what that would have been.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

You probably took the old Snapper Trail, which was relocated a few years ago.

 

[David Metsky]

You probably took the old Snapper Trail, which was relocated a few years ago.

Yup, I'm sure that's what he did. The new lower junction with the new Snapper trail is very obvious. The trail was relocated in the 90's.

 

[blacknblue]

With deep snow cover, it can be really easy to miss. The trail isn't cut very high, and I've seen the snow depth basically fill in the whole thing. However, as stated, in summertime, it's readily apparent. It's one of my favorite unofficial 4Ks!

 

[madmattd]

As an aside I took the Snapper Trail back over to Gorge Trail off Carriage Road on return. I hit a wide cleared area with a reasonably large cairn but no sign. My GPS indicated it was near the trailhead so I turned down it only to quickly find it was very lightly traveled and hard to follow with the leaves and twigs all over it. It dropped fairly steeply down for awhile and then there was the well trodden Snapper Trail in front of me. ???? Is this just some sort of bushwhack short cut to eliminate walking out to the corner and back? I imagine if I had continued a little far down the Carriage Road there would have been a sign? Just wondering what that was. Very clearly marked so I presume it had some sort of benefit, although I don't see what that would have been.

Sounds like the old Snapper Trail to me too. I know the spot you speak of, and the first time I nearly took it. There is a sign, between 1/4-1/2 mile further downhill if memory serves, which is where the Snapper now starts/ends. One of these days I plan to take that old route, looks fairly easy to follow (fallen leaves notwithstanding).