Summary

Join us for a weekend backcountry backpack into the primative Wild River Wilderness.  The Wild River Wilderness once bustled with a logging railway and camps along the river, and the area was pretty much deforested by logging and a subsequent fire in 1903.  The region has been reclaimed by birch, maple, oak, pine and other subalpine vegetation.  The area became a managed land under the Forest Service in 1914 and was finally designated a wilderness area in 2006.  The wilderness consists of approximately 23,700 acres and is home to moose, black bear, deer and other fauna.

We will enter the wilderness via the Carter-Moriah Ridge using the Appalachian Trail (AT)/Rattle River Trail.  Friday evening we'll camp along the trail just a couple of miles in...preferrably not at the shelter, so be prepared for primative camping!  On Saturday, we'll continue along the trail, climbing Shelburne Moriah Mountain (3735') before descending into the wilderness and exploring the Wild River Valley and watershed.  We'll camp primatively along the river Saturday night.  On Sunday, we'll climb over Mt. Moriah (4049') using the Moriah Brook Trail, where we'll visit the Moriah Gorge along the way.  Finally, we'll descend the ridge via the Carter-Moriah Trail over Mount Surprise (2194').  NOTE:  Fording of the Wild River may be necessary.

Total Distance and Elevation Gain:  27.4 miles with approximately 5882 feet in cumulative elevation gain.  This breaks down to approximately 2+ miles and 500' Friday evening, 13.5 miles and 2915' for Saturday and 11.9 miles and 2967' for Sunday.

Rain or harsh weather may postpone to another date or cancel, as appropriate. 

What to Bring:  You will need a pack, tent/bivy, sleeping bag/pad, extra dry clothes/towel, food for 2 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts, headlamp, bear bag/cannister, camp stove, water filter, etc. (some double up is possible for shared equipment...tents, bear bags, stoves, water filter).  Typical summer hiking gear should be appropriate:  convertible hiking pants, good sturdy hiking boots with thick socks and a windbreaker/raingear (just in case).  Snacks and at least 2 liters of water (water can be filtered/treated along the way).  Optionally, pack bug repellent and sunscreen and anything else that you may require for a multi-day hike.  Also consider bringing a swim suit, if you'd like to swim at Wild River (officially public nudity is prohibited within the WMNF, but I don't know if it's ever been enforced).

Carpooling:  Contact other participants or the trip leader to arrange for a rideshare to the trailhead.  Note:  We'll need at least 2 cars for this trip.

Afterwards:  If there is sufficient interest, we will have drinks and/or dinner before leaving the area on Sunday afternoon.

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

From the eastern intersection of Routes 2 and 16 in Gorham, follow Route 2 easte out of Gorham for approximately 0.6 miles.  After crossing the railroad tracks, turn right onto Bangor Street and follow this to the end (0.5 miles).  There will be limited parking along the eastern side of the street (but we'll only be leaving one car here).  NOTE:  After assembling we'll leave a car here and carpool over to the AT trailhead on Route 2 (3.4 miles away).

For GPS Users:  44.382458, -71.169384 (51 Bangor Street, Gorham, NH)