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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Moosilauke, NH
Trails
Trails: Ravine Lodge Road, Gorge Brook Trail, Carriage Road, Snapper Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, January 25, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: The lot was plowed but the 1-mile drive in from Rte 118 may test your nerve even though it's not super-steep. Still, low gear and good tires are a MUST, especially coming down because there's no margin for error. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None of note 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: [IMPORTANT NOTE: The summit trail signs may me packed solid with rime ice so KNOW where you are going because it's easy to go down the wrong way!] Lower 2/3 of Gorge Brook firm enough for micro-spikes, I advise snowshoes on the upper part to consolidate the powder. Snapper was unbroken except by skiers so my snowshoe ascent helped a bit. The Carriage Road was fantastic! Very wide, nice easy grades & packed solid with some soft snow in spots up to the snowmobile turnaround. After that snowshoes are a must for efficient travel and to keep the trail in good shape. The trail is well-sheltered by scrub past Glencliff jct for .5 but after that it can be brutal on the (.4 mile long) open summit ridge! Came down Gorge Brook and the upper part was not consolidated yet and there was some postholing. Once I got below tree line the monorail became apparent but I hope the next few days people wear snowshoes. Gorge Brook seems more sheltered (at least today) but be prepared for wind in the last .25 to the true summit. The weather exposure is on par with the Franconia Ridge or the Presidentials!


It was a great, sunny day! Not nearly as cold as yesterday (that's why I stayed home). It was still around 5 degrees on the long summit ridge with sustained 50 MPH winds & wind chill was at least -20. It is ALWAYS windy up there and you are exposed for .4 miles on the long, flat summit no matter which trail you choose. Face mask is a must and goggles are advisable in these conditions. The summit views were clear and spectacular in all directions! I tried to take a few pics but the wind chill was causing frozen taint (despite 3 layers) so I waited until I hit the scrub. The views were equally fine a few tenths down the trail. The descent reminded me of Bondcliff Trail on the upper part with steepness & a narrow footbed nearer the summit giving way to sweeping turns mixed with pleasant stretches where you can really pick up the pace if you care to. Total time for the loop was 3:40 with a few snowshoe changes and pre-summit layering. 4000' peak #28 in my single-season Winter 48 saga  
Name
Name: Bob H 
E-Mail
E-Mail: hynoskyb@aol.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-01-25 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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