| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moosilauke, Mt. Blue, Mt. Jim, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gorge Brook Trail, abandoned Gorge Brook Slide Trail, bushwhack, Carriage Road, Beaver Brook Trail, herd path, Asquam Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, August 21, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Roadside in the designated hiker parking at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Gorge Brook Trail: Continued erosion and trail creep from heavy use. Carriage Road: Becoming overgrown and needs brushing. Beaver Brook Trail: Upper section needs brushing; I recall one blowdown. The herd path to Mt. Blue may as well be formalized into an official spur trail at this point; it would take a small crew a day or two at most to properly clear it and the treadway is already well established. The small cairn at the high point of Mt. Jim was not present. Asquam Ridge Trail: Several scattered blowdowns balanced out by others that have been cleared (thank you!); lower portion along the river needs brushing. Someone had flagged a bushwhack route to the base of the Gorge Brook slide that I initially didn't notice on the way in. Think I got most of it down. Don't flag bushwhacks, that's kinda cheating! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
None! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A beautiful day for another big loop over Moosilauke, incorporating a fifth ascent of the old Gorge Brook Slide Trail. Every time I make this climb, it's different. The bottom is starting to get choked with small blowdowns and higher up requires pushing through spruce in spots. Thankfully, the ledge sections were dry. Above the slide, the old trail is obvious in the woods at first but fades out pretty quickly. Just bushwhack uphill.
Smooth sailing on Carriage Road, which is down to one lane in places due to spruce growth. Gonna need to be cut back to accommodate skiers.
The summit was busy, with a lot of hikers there when I arrived, joined by two groups of backpackers who came up Beaver Brook Trail. Weather on top was delightfully cool and comfortable, a welcome change from this summer's heat and humidity.
While it is a longer return route at almost six miles, the walk back on Beaver Brook and Asquam Ridge trails is generally quiet, with no other souls seen on the latter. The perfect way to end a full day on one of my favorite mountains. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-08-22 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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