Mt. Moosilauke

On day two of this years New Hampshire trip we decided to hike Mt. Moosilauke.  We were staying at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge so there was no driving involved.  There was a large group going up this day and we started at 8:30am.  About 10 of us headed up the Gorge Brook Trail, a 3.7 mile trail that is the shortest route to the summit.  The route up follows the brook for awhile then works its way up the east peak.  It is an easy to moderate trail with some nice views as you climb up.

Once at the east peak the trail approaches tree line, which is at about 4000ft in New Hampshire.  After flattening out for a brief stretch through trees you come out onto the alpine meadow and see the summit of Mt. Moosilauke.  I think this summit offers some of the best, if not THE best views in all the White Mountains.  

On this day the weather was terrific and we were able to see for a long way.  The peaks of the Green Mountains and even the Adirondacks to the west, Franconia Ridge and the Presidentials to the east, and more fantastic landscapes both north and south.  We were lucky as the weather can be quite unpredictable and many people go up to views of clouds.  After a brief stay on the summit, I made my way back down the same trail.  It was an uneventful descent and I met many hikers on their way up as the Gorge Brook trail is one of the more popular routes up.

This was a very fun hike that went pretty fast.  There are a number of other trails that lead to the top and I look forward to hiking some of them as well.  It is popular though so expect to meet other hikers of all abilities on both the trail and the summit.