top of page

Hiking the Gentle Giant: Mt Moosilauke, NH

  • Writer: Steve
    Steve
  • Oct 15, 2020
  • 4 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Hike distance: 10.0 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,774 ft elevation gain

Prominence: 2,932

TrailsNH Hiking Difficulty Calculator: 236 – Very Strenuous

Click here for a review of prominence and its role in mountain topography

Click here to navigate to the TrailsNH website for a description of the hiking difficulty calculator


I wanted to knock off another '4000 footer' hike before the end of Daylight Saving and the onset of colder and snowier weather. I set my eyes on Mt Moosilauke, but unfortunately I had to hike it alone since Dave was still nursing a sore foot.


The Moosilauke Ravine Lodge was close and road access limited so I had to park 1.7 miles from the trailhead.

Once I arrived at the lodge, I could see today's destination. Mt Moosilauke is the peak located right of center just above the trees. Although from this perspective the South Peak (left of center) appears taller, it is actually 279 feet shorter than Mt Moosilauke.

South Peak on the left is 279 feet shorter than Mt Moosilauke on the right. NH 4000 footer

For the hike, I selected the out-and-back Gorge Brook Trail. It provided a moderate ascent to the summit with reportedly excellent views of the Franconia Ridge along the route. From the trailhead, I descended past several buildings and huts to a bridge over the Baker River. The river's flow was minimal for this time of year.

The start of Gorge Brook Trail to the summit of Mt Moosilauke followed the Baker River.

After the river crossing, the trail split off and began following the Gorge Brook - climbing steadily alongside the brook.

The Gorge Brook trail steadily climbing as it followed the Gorge Brook

The trail crossed the Gorge Brook on several rudimentary bridges.

The Gorge Brook trail cross the Gorge Brook on several rudimentary bridges

I loved the sound of water falling over the debris and rocks; it's peaceful and calming. Especially since I couldn't see anyone else on the trail.

Water flowing over rock in the Gorge Brook on the trail to Mt Moosilauke summit in NH . NH 4000 footer

The trail segment beyond the bridge was rerouted in the 1990s due to significant damage from Tropical Storm Irene. At the next trail intersection, I proceeded along Gorge Brook.

Trail marker for Gorge Brook Trail or Snapper Trail both lead to Mt Moosilauke summit in NH. NH 4000 footer

The trail climbed steeply with more rocks, roots and erosion evident.

Rocks and roots lined the trail with signs of erosion
Rocks and roots lined the trail with signs of erosion

Every once in a while some well-placed rock stairs provided a break.

Rock stairs along the Gorge Brook trail leading to the Mt Moosilauke summit in NH. NH 4000 footer

There were several clearings in the forest that provided picturesque views of the nearby mountains.

Mt Cushman or Mt Carr from the Gorge Brook trail leading to the Mt Moosilauke summit in NH. NH 4000 footer

Even more remarkable were the views to the north, where the distinct peaks of the Franconia Range could be seen in the center of the image below.

The sharp Franconia Range peaks were visible from the Gorge Brook trail leading to the Mt Moosilauke summit in NH. NH 4000 footer

In this photo, the nearest mountains are the Kinsman Range, followed by the Franconia Range, and the farthest are the Presidential Range. The summit offers even better views.

Kinsman Range, with the Franconia Range behind them and finally the Presidential Range furthest away on the Gorge Trail to Mt Moosilauke summit. NH 4000 footer
 Franconia Range and the Presidential Range furthest away on the Gorge Trail to Mt Moosilauke summit. NH 4000 footer

The path climbed through rocky switchbacks, with trees becoming shorter and the forest thinning out.

Gorge Brook trail continued up rocky switchbacks as trees grew shorter. Mt Moosilauke in NH. NH 4000 footer
Gorge Brook trail continued up rocky switchbacks as trees grew shorter. Mt Moosilauke in NH. NH 4000 footer

I arrived at the scrubby false summit, and there was only one other person visible.

False summit on Gorge Brook trail leading to the Mt Moosilauke summit in NH. NH 4000 footer

For another half mile the trail flirted with the tree line but in the distance, there was a clearing offering glimpses of the exposed summit.

Gorge Brook trail flirting with treeline.  Mt Moosilauke summit visible in the distance.

Emerging from the tree line and entering the alpine zone with the summit directly ahead.

Entering the alpine zone approaching the Mt Moosilauke summit in NH. NH 4000 footer

Once out in the open, the temperature easily dropped 10-20°. Rarely do I get cold hiking but at this point I had to add a long sleeve jersey and a second insulated top to stay warm.

Rocky trail along the alpine zone approaching the Mt Moosilauke summit in NH. NH 4000 footer

Just a short climb to the broad treeless summit but each step brought more powerful wind gusts. Being the westernmost high peak in the Whites, Moosilauke directly faces winds from the west.

Rocky trail along the alpine zone approaching the Mt Moosilauke summit in NH. NH 4000 footer

The wind at the summit was blowing so hard that I had to brace myself between rocks to take this picture. Lesson learned, always research and prepare for a hike. Don't just familiarize yourself with the trails, but also read reviews by other hikers/bloggers you trust. In my case, I read several reviews that stated, 'The summit is very exposed, often windy so prepare for rapid weather changes and drops in temperature. These 360-degree views come with a risk of exposure.'

Mt Moosilauke summit sign in NH. NH 4000 footer

There were a handful of people out in the open on the summit.

Rocky, barren and windy Mt Moosilauke summit in NH. NH 4000 footer

Most people were sheltering from the wind in what's left of the 19th century summit buildings. In 1860 the Prospect House, a stone hotel opened on the summit of Moosilauke. It went through many changes over the years, including an appropriate name change to the 'Tip-Top House'. However, in the 1942, the hotel that had withstood hurricane force winds fell victim to fire. Here is what's left of the stone buildings foundations.

Taking shelter behind rock wall on the summit of Mt Moosilauke in NH.  NH 4000 footer

I discovered some scattered rocks, sheltered from the wind, and had a quick lunch.

Taking shelter behind rock wall on the summit of Mt Moosilauke in NH.  NH 4000 footer

I descended from the summit following the same Gorge Brook trail as I had used to ascend Mt Moosilauke.

Gorge Brook Trail leading to the summit of Mt Moosilauke in NH.  NH 4000 footer

Once off the summit it was easier to take pictures and enjoy the outstanding views.

Gorge Brook Trail leading to the summit of Mt Moosilauke in NH.  NH 4000 footer

Many regard this as one of the most spectacular mountain views in all of the Whites. I could focus on the Franconia Range (left of center), with the towering peak of Mt. Washington visible at the top far right.

Franconia Range on the left and Mt Washington peak visible in the top far right. Summit of Mt

Soon enough I was out of the wind and back on the tree-lined trail leading to the false summit.

Gorge Brook trail continued up rocky switchbacks as trees grew shorter. Mt Moosilauke in NH. NH 4000 footer

I find descending a rocky trail more challenging than ascending it.

Rocky and wet section of Gorge Brook Trail leading to the summit of Mt Moosilauke in NH.  NH 4000 footer
Moss covered rocks on Gorge Brook Trail leading to summit of Mt Moosilauke in NH.  NH 4000 footer

A short selfie break when the trail reached the Gorge Brook bridge crossing.

Gorge Brook on trail leading to summit of Mt Moosilauke in NH.  NH 4000 footer
Gorge Brook flowing over rocky section of stream

Near the Baker River bridge and close to the trailhead, I still had a 2-mile walk on the access road to get to my car.

Not much flow in the Baker River on the trail leading to the summit of Mt Moosilauke in NH.  NH 4000 footer

At the Ravine Lodge with one final look at Mt Moosilauke. It's the 6th 4000 footer mountain we've climbed to date. Only 61 more to go!

View of Mt Moosilauke from the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge in NH.  NH 4000 footer
  • Hike Distance: 10.0 miles

  • Duration: 5.8 hours

  • Average Pace: 35 min/mile


Comments


bottom of page