Summit: Mount Moosilauke (4,802')
Trail route: Ravine Lodge Road, Gorge Brook Trail, Carriage Road, Snapper Trail
Trail conditions: Ravine Lodge Road is plowed but gate is closed at winter hiker parking lot, hard packed trail with loose snow at higher elevations
Weather: Frigid start and cold wind on the summit with clear blue sky and sunshine
Total miles: 10.5
Total time: 4:47
After a windy and brutally frigid day on Saturday the wind diminished overnight and the temperature would be rising today. But it was still going to be a frigid start this morning with the temperature starting at -15°F in the driveway before leaving home. I would be hiking with Jill, Melissa, Scott and Lisa. Jill would be gridding out Mount Moosilauke and the month of January today.
On the drive to the hike the temperature dropped to -20°F along the way. I turned onto Ravine Lodge Road to find the gate open and road plowed. I drove up to the winter hiker parking lot with no problem. The last time I was here less than a month ago the road was completely ice covered. I arrived at the parking area and the temperature had risen to a few degrees above zero and there was no wind.
Scott, Lisa, Jill and Melissa pulled in right after me. We all layered up against the frigid chill and started the road walk to the trailhead. As we moved up the trail the sun started to warm up the temperature and I needed to delayer. The trail was solid with lots of tree debris on it from recent high winds. Just before leaving the treeline we all layered up again anticipating the wind that was inevitable on the summit.
Sure enough there was an icy wind blowing on the exposed summit. We took a few minutes for photos and then made the decision to descend on the Carriage Road and loop back down to the Gorge Brook Trail via the Snapper Trail. There were a lot of hikers on the mountain today making their way up to the summit. It was an enjoyable hike back down. The temperature had risen to a comfortable level. We had gotten a later than normal start and were done by early afternoon.
Congratulations to Jill for gridding out Mount Moosilauke meaning she has now done it in every month of the year and for gridding out January after having now hiked all 48 four thousand footers in this month. This was my 11th time to this summit with one more month remaining to grid it out. It turned out to be a spectacular day for hiking with a fun group of hikers!
Enjoy the photos and video!
A frigid start
The road walk to the trailhead
The hike starts here
Another bridge crossing
First view from the trail
Another view from the trail
Franconia Ridge
Ravine Lodge far below
Zooming in on Ravine Lodge
Winding our way through snowy trees
A view of the summit just below treeline
Summit up ahead
Jill making the final ascent to the summit for the 12th time on Mount Moosilauke
At the summit sign
Northern view
Southern view
West view
East view
Lafayette and Lincoln
Mount Washington
We decide to descend on the Carriage Road
On our way toward South Peak
A look back at the summit of Mount Moosilauke
Stopping for a break at the trail junction
View from the Carriage Road
On the Snapper Trail
Back on the Gorge Brook Trail to complete the loop
Final bridge crossing
Ravine Lodge
Back at the parking area
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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