Winter Hiking Mount Moosilauke (4,802')

HIKE STATISTICS

Total Distance: 8.6 miles (or 8.9 miles for the loop)

Elevation Gain: 2,345 feet

Hiking Time: 6 hours and 40 minutes

Difficulty: Moderate

Curious to learn more about this peak during the summer time when there is no snow? Click here!

Want to feel what it is like to experience this peak? Watch our vlog which you can find here!

HIKE DATE: 12/22/2019

Description: Mount Moosilauke is the western most 4,000 footer and dominates its region. The open summit offers incredible panoramic views. Overall, this is a relatively easy hike for a tall 4,000 footer with incredible views. It’s a great peak to start out on in winter as the route is not too difficult and you will also briefly spend time above treeline.

Trails Used: Ascend via Gorge Brook Trail and descend by turning around and going back the same way you came (or to make a loop descend via Moosilauke Carriage Road to Snapper Trail back to Gorge Brook Trail).

Trail Summary: When we hiked Mount Moosilauke in the winter, we did an out and back via Gorge Brook Trail. This is a common winter route to the summit which you can also make into a loop by ascending via Gorge Brook Trail and descending via Carriage Road Trail to the Snapper Trail back to Gorge Brook Trail. Since we noticed the Snapper Trail was not broken out on our way up, we did not want to deal with having to break trail the whole way down so we did the in and out. One important thing to note is that Ravine Lodge Road is partially closed in the winter, so you have to park at the gate half way up the road and walk about 0.7 miles on the road. This will add 1.4 miles round trip to the hike. Both times we have done Mount Moosilauke when there has been snow on the ground the road has been semi plowed to the parking lot half way up the road, so you should have no issues getting to the lot. From the lot, you’ll have to hike an easy 0.7 miles along the road to the actual trailhead. To start this hike, you will first take the Gorge Brook Trail which you can access by crossing a footbridge over a river at the end of the gravel road. You will come to a junction with the Hurricane Trail, where you will want to turn right to stay on Gorge Brook Trail. After 0.8 miles, the trail goes right veering off from the Snapper Trail (which is where you will descend from later if you choose to do the loop). The trail moves uphill at easy to moderate grades the whole way; there is nothing particularly difficult about this trail. After about 3.3 miles, you’ll reach the treeline where you will now climb for another 0.4 miles before reaching the infamous orange summit sign. One thing to note is that the trail can be very easy to lose above treeline depending on the conditions due to the wind which creates snow drifts and erases tracks. Pay extra attention to the cairns and have a map/GPS handy for navigation! Since it was a clear day, we had no issues navigating but we did wear full face protection due to the fierce winds and snowshoes due to the deep snow drifts. On a clear day, there are phenomenal views in every direction from the summit. The Gorge Brook Trail climbs roughly 2,400 feet and it took us about 3 hours.

To descend from the summit, you have two options. You can simple turn around and return the way you came if the conditions are poor or the trails are unbroken, or you can take the Carriage Road Trail which heads west (take a look at the summit sign). This trail used to be a carriage road (as you could guess from the name), so it is a wide trail and offers a very gentle and moderate descent. You will descend about 0.2 miles before reaching the treeline. In 0.9 miles, you’ll come to a junction with the Glencliff Trail and also see a spur path which is 0.2 miles long and leads to South Peak. We’ve checked it out in the summer, but never in the winter. It’s definitely worth the small detour as South Peak offers a unique view! Continue following the Carriage Road Trail for another 1.2 miles until you reach the junction for the Snapper Trail. This portion of the Carriage Road Trail is very moderately graded and has great footing the whole way!

The Snapper Trail makes this loop a possibility. As you’ll have seen on your way up, the lower portion of it coincides with the Gorge Brook Trail. You will hike on the Snapper Trail for 1.1 miles approximately before reconnecting with Gorge Brook. Like Carriage Road, this trail allows for a nice moderate descent and has a few small streams crossings. Once you get back on Gorge Brook Trail, it’s an easy 0.8 miles back to the trailhead then another 0.7 miles on the road. It was a great day for Winter 48 number 6 for us!