Stony Brook Trail up Moriah - easy or hard to follow?

[Elizabeth]

Has anyone hiked the Stony Brook Trail up Mt. Moriah recently? Is it difficult to follow if you have never been on it before? I get the sense from some of what I have previously read that it is not clearly marked, and may have some confusing turns.

On another issue - I have tried looking up this trail and others by doing a search in the Trail Conditions forum and have had no luck. I have even tried inputting key words that I can clearly see are being used in titles and text in the forum, and the search engine comes up with nothing. Is there a trick to the search that I am missing here?

Thanks,
Elizabeth

 

[peakbagger]

The only possible confusing point is the stream crossing near the bottom of the trail (1/4 mile in somewhere after the short bridge over the small flume). The temptation for some folks is to try to keep going straight on the north bank of the stream rather than crossing it to the south bank. The trail was relocated 15 years ago and once you cross the stream, it is on the old trailbed which is an old road which would be hard to lose. When coming down the trail, some folks miss the turn and keep going straight on the old road which eventually ends up in someones back yard.

 

[bryan]

only time i've ever had a problem following this trail is on the ledges with a deep fresh snow base. this time of year you shouldn't have any problems.
a nice hike. enjoy.

bryan

 

[mahony]

Very easy to follow...even in the dark

 

[hikingmaineac]

Many Trip Reports here:

http://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com - just switch the pull-down to "Trail" and enter "Stony Brook".

 

[Elizabeth]

Thanks!

Thanks to all who responded for the helpful information. If the weather is good this Sunday we may head up there.

(Not that I am a fair-weather-only hiker; but my previous hike up Moriah - via Carter-Moriah Trail - was in a cold November fog. So this time I want views.)

 

[weatherman]

Stony Brook is WAY nicer too, IMHO. No pointless ups and downs and a real nice stream to follow for a good mile at least. I did the loop last year, up Stony Brook and down C-M, just to have done a loop (and try out a short bike spot to close it), and wish I had just gone Stony Brook both ways, though the biking was fun.

 

[Gwynna]

Elizabeth - howdy, we met you on the Carter-Moriah trail! I recognize those pups in your avatar. There were two of us, one with a pink bandanna and one with a green bandanna, and we met you below the best of the ledges. Hope you had a great hike!

 

[Elizabeth]

Weatherman - Having now done the Stony Brook route, I completely agree. Great hike!

Gwynna - I (and the dogs) enjoyed meeting you and your friend on the Carter-Moriah Trail. Hope the rest of your hike was as nice.

I should note too, that the potentially-confusing turnoff from the logging road to cross the brook as you are coming back on Stony Brook Trail has been blocked off with branches, so even a hiker who is not really paying attention cannot miss the turn.