Shelburne Moriah Mountain to Mount Moriah

Summits: Shelburne Moriah Mountain and Mount Moriah
Trail route: Rattle River Trail to Kenduskeag Trail over to Shelburne Moriah Mountain then back on the Kenduskeag Trail to the Carter-Moriah Trail up to Mount Moriah and down the Carter-Moriah Trail
Trail conditions: Mostly dry trails but with areas of wet trail and mud
Weather: Warm with some humidity, cloudy skies and sunshine
Total miles: 12.8
Total time: 9:10

Hike summary: Today I would be joining Jill and Larry for a hike to Shelburne Moriah Mountain (3,735') with another group of hikers, Danielle, Amy, Amanda and Rick. This would be Danielle's final summit of the 52 With a View list. Jill, Larry and I would then hike to Mount Moriah (4,049'), a summit that we all need for September. I had never hiked to Shelburne Moriah so I was not familiar with the Rattle River Trail and Kenduskeag Trail.

We spotted a car at the Carter-Moriah trailhead and then drove down to the Rattle River trailhead for a 9:00 AM meet time. We were all on the trail shortly after 9:00. It was a nice hike up the Rattle River Trail then on to the Kenduskeag Trail that took us to the summit of Shelburne Moriah Mountain. Danielle tagged the summit, we ate lunch and then our groups departed in opposite directions. Danielle's group set out for the Shelburne Trail while Jill, Larry and I headed for Mount Moriah.

It was a good hike back across the Kenduskeag Trail. As we made our way up to Moriah the trail got steeper. Just before the summit there was a ledge climb with a rather tricky spot to get over near the top. That was the last of steep climbing and we were up on the summit. There was a comfortable breeze blowing that felt very nice. Three other hikers were there and we talked with them for a few moments before starting our descent.

We had another 4.5 miles of hiking down from the summit after already hiking 8.3 miles. We were very familiar with this trail and knew there were several ledge scrambles to get down over but the granite was dry and we had no problems. This trail always seems longer than it is but with a steady pace we made it down in 2.5 hours.

This was a fun day of hiking on new trails to a new summit and joining up with hikers I haven't hiked with before. It was nice to be there to see Danielle complete her last peak for the 52 With a View list.
Congratulations, Danielle!

Enjoy the photos and video!

The hike starts here

Another hike with lots of mushrooms along the trail

Not sure what this is

Snowmobile bridge

Water crossing

Black trumpet mushrooms

Rattle River Shelter

Trees growing on a large rock

Dry river crossing

Low water

Mushrooms in formation

Looks like a nice swimming hole

Fall colors are starting

Another water crossing with very low water

Convenient bog bridges

Mud on the Kenduskeag Trail

On our way up to Shelburne Moriah

The summit is up there

Almost at the summit

Summit cairn on Shelburne Moriah Mountain

Danielle stands on her final 52 With a View summit

Jill helps Danielle hold the Congratulations banner on Shelburne Moriah Mountain

Views from the summit

All of us on the summit

A large mud pit beside the trail

Heading for Mount Moriah

A look back at Shelburne Moriah

Shelburne Moriah Mountain through the trees

An easy ledge

Ledge climb just before the summit of Mount Moriah

Jill and Larry climbing a tricky ledge

Larry is almost on the summit

Gray jays were visiting the summit

Views from the Mount Surprise ledges

Last of the ledges on the way down

Puff balls

The hike ends here

Enjoying the sunset on the drive home

Having Fun in  the Great Outdoors!