Status of Moat Mountain conditions?

[HockeyPuck]

I'm curious as to trail conditions of the Moat Mountain trail starting from the Dugway Rd trailhead. Has anybody visited since Sundays snowfall?

 

[kltilton]

I have not been out there recently, but if I get a chance in the next couple of days I'll try to check it out for you.

 

[RoySwkr]

Nobody has admitted visiting MMP#9 since Nov. 2

 

[HockeyPuck]

There appears to be a trip report dated 12/15 to South Moat. I believe this was before the snowfall.

I'm hoping to gain some winter experince above tree line (as well as visit Roy's MMPC #9) and my goal is to traverse the full 5 miles to North Moat..

Thanks

 

[rocket21]

I was there before the storm...my guess is that up to South Moat, it may be rebroken by now. Regardless, there should be evidence of where the trail is from from the tracks we set before the storm (which helps since it isn't blazed too well). The snow depths increase sizably around 2,500' or so, at least they did before the storm.

They plow the parking lot, fortunately.

The day I was there, only one person continued past South Moat, so it may be tough going in some of the small cols between South and North.

 

[forestgnome]

The trail to South Moat summit can be hard to follow in a few spots, but only if you're breaking trail. From SM to Middle, it's likely that you'll be unable to follow the trail and just venture ahead toward MM. Even if it's been broken out, the hiker who did was just venturing in the general direction, unable to follow the trail. If it's been a few days since the last hiker, the wind has probably obscured their track. It's a wonderful place.

From MM summit, you'll need to find where the trail goes into the trees in the col. Once you find it, you'll easily be able to follow the tunnel all the way to North Moat. If skies are clear, you'll be treated to the finest (IMO) views in the White Mountains.

If you descend down to Lucy Brook, watch for ice on the many ledges for the first mile or so.

happy trails

 

[Tim Seaver]

The trail to South Moat summit can be hard to follow in a few spots, but only if you're breaking trail. From SM to Middle, it's likely that you'll be unable to follow the trail and just venture ahead toward MM. Even if it's been broken out, the hiker who did was just venturing in the general direction, unable to follow the trail.

That would pretty much describe my trip from South Moat towards North Moat on Saturday before the storm! I forgot that the trail veers off to the right at the "fork" in the ridge on MM, and ended up wandering around awhile before I found the trail ( the few cairns are quite small). Stay on the crest of the right ridge to it's end, where the trail drops down to the left as it enters the woods. The slot was a little hard to find.

So yes, somewhere under the 2 feet of new snow, there is a "packed" trail.

 

[rocket21]

That would pretty much describe my trip from South Moat towards North Moat on Saturday before the storm! I forgot that the trail veers off to the right at the "fork" in the ridge on MM, and ended up wandering around awhile before I found the trail ( the few cairns are quite small). Stay on the crest of the right ridge to it's end, where the trail drops down to the left as it enters the woods. The slot was a little hard to find.

You didn't happen to see a bloke pull up in the parking lot with a pickup truck and head out on snowshoes, did you?