Trip report
Mount Roberts & Faraway Mountain Loop
Full Day Hike DATE: 05/21/2022 - 05/21/2022
Trip/Event Location: Moultonborough, NH
Trip Leader(s): SasquatchKM
Max # People: 8
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Mount Roberts & Faraway Mountain Loop is a 9.2 mile loop in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. The ledges have expansive views and variable 5-15% grades. Expecting 4-5 hours plus time for lunch at
...Parking at Castle in the Clouds is pay parking, but the Shannon Pond Hiker Kiosk and Parking area is free, plus overflow parking in the pasture on the left past the sign.
From Moultonborough NH, Head southwest on NH-25 W for 0.2 mi. Turn right toward NH-25 E, then turn left onto NH-25 E and proceed 0.8 mi. Turn right onto NH-109 S proceed 2.2 mi. Continue straight onto NH-171 E for 0.5 mi. Turn left onto Ossipee Park Rd and proceed up to the trail head or overflow parking. Group will depart the Shannon Pond Hiker Kiosk rally point (43.73203,-71.32449) at 9:15.
Trip Report/Photos
A spectacular display of why Castle in the Clouds got its name today. Dense fog and humidity were thankfully tempered by the much cooler than expected temps for the ascent up Mount Roberts. Not much standing water on the trail but made up for by some aggressive blackfly and mosquito swarms. Going to have a fresh crop of welts even with a healthy coat of bug spray.
Generally an easy trail but with the added distance of Faraway Mountain in the loop and the half day duration planned, pace was quick. 10.25 miles with 1815’ of elevation gain combined in 4 hours 11 minutes to complete the trail just after 1pm.
Overall trail conditions were dryer than expected, but if you’ve hiked the ridge trails in this range, “dry” is a relative term. Dozen or so larger mud puddles but all were easy to traverse and remain dry. Plenty of blazes and well-worn path. Has been interesting to watch the trail weather over the pandemic with increased traffic. Normally this trail has amazing views from the ledges most of the way up Roberts, but we unfortunately didn’t make it out of the cloud bank until we were halfway down Faraway Mountain. So, our views were … lots of gray.
Ascending, we started up Mount Roberts Trail through forest floor and lots of roots and rocks, a few sets of ledges, and back to the green tunnel to the summit where to stopped for a quick group photo and water break, then proceeded down High Ridge Trail to Faraway Mountain trail to cut over to Faraway’s cell tower for a second water break and quick snack. Returning to High Ridge Trail to until we picked up Faraway Ridge Trail for our descent. Criss-crossed the same little stream a dozen times or so but all just a hop, skip, or jump over the water. Tons of birds and frogs made for an amazing forest sound track for the day’s trek.
We deviated from the planned route near the end of the hike to avoid the 1 ish mile road walk and remain in the woods. Taking Cold Spring Trail the last mile to rejoin Mount Roberts Trail we came in on. And as it always seems to happen, as we were coming out of the woods at the trail head the weather was warm, sunny, and gorgeous while we sat and had some lunch next to Shannon Pond. I bet the afternoon views of Lake Winnipesaukee were epic from the ledges…
There are 7 photos in Album (Note: Move mouse pointer over larger pic and click on NEXT for better viewing)
What Members Are Saying About This Trip/Event
- I’ve seen various insect repellents put on arms and then placed in a glass container of mosquitoes. DEET (20% -30%) is by far the best, although you still get bit. It can be on your arm or on a long sleeve shirt. Some people don’t like DEET, but there are no studies that say it’s harmful. - phoenix
- After 45 minutes it became obvious I could not keep up with the others, so I turned around. I put insect repellent on when I encounter the bugs, so didn’t have any on when the others started getting bit. The same thing happened last week when hiking with two friends. I did not get bit either time. The thought that I may have “black fly immunity” only lasted for a microsecond. More likely faster hikers give off more carbon dioxide that attracts more black flies. - phoenix
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phoenix
May 23, 2022 at 11:30 PM
Comment: I’ve seen various insect repellents put on arms and then placed in a glass container of mosquitoes. DEET (20% -30%) is by far the best, although you still get bit. It can be on your arm or on a long sleeve shirt. Some people don’t like DEET, but there are no studies that say it’s harmful.
phoenix
May 23, 2022 at 11:28 PM
Comment: After 45 minutes it became obvious I could not keep up with the others, so I turned around. I put insect repellent on when I encounter the bugs, so didn’t have any on when the others started getting bit. The same thing happened last week when hiking with two friends. I did not get bit either time. The thought that I may have “black fly immunity” only lasted for a microsecond. More likely faster hikers give off more carbon dioxide that attracts more black flies. |
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