Summit: Mount Moriah (4,049')
Trail route: Carter-Moriah Trail
Trail conditions: Wet, muddy, ice, snow
Weather: Cool and cloudy, snow at higher elevations turning to rain on descent
Total miles: 9
Total time: 6:12
An approaching Nor'easter was in the forecast today but a small window of opportunity was available for a morning hike before the heavy precipitation started falling. There was some question as to whether it would start as rain and turn to snow and how much accumulating snow would fall. It seemed like a good adventure and it was a short drive for me so road conditions would not be much of an issue.
It was cloudy but no precipitation falling when arriving at the trailhead parking area. Hit the trail at 6:30 and found bare ground to start. It was not until the ledges on Mount Surprise that the first ice appeared. There was enough bare ledge to get around the ice. But further up the trail it was getting tricky and the microspikes went on.
Not a surprise there were no views on the summit and it was not a day for lingering or basking in the grayness. It was a quick turn around and thus began the descent back to the trailhead. Met several hikers heading up on the way down.
It was good to get an early start as the precipitation in the form of snow was starting to fall. Once again it was careful foot placement down over the ice and ledges. About a mile from the trailhead the snow turned into rain and a steady rain on the short road walk to the parking area. A note of interest, the trailhead sign is gone.
The approaching storm made this hike a little more exciting. There is several inches of snow expected. The next hike might require snowshoes and trail breaking!
Enjoy the photos!
Partial view
No view
Lichen and snow
Trailside icicles
Snow-covered ice
On the summit of Mount Moriah
Snowy spruce
Descending Mount Moriah
Big rock
Carefully crossing bog bridges over deep mud
Steep drop
Accumulating snow
Snow starting to change over to rain through here
Somebody made an easy stepover for this blowdown
Back at the trailhead in a steady rain
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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