Copy/Repost Hike

Our plan was to hike a big loop around trails on Mount Moosilauke. Due to construction of the new lodge, we now have to park 0.8 mile before it and walk the road. We started around 10 AM and once reaching the future site of Dartmouth’s Moosilauke Ravine Lodge we picked up the Asquam Ridge Trail at the end of the road. The plan was to take this trail to the Beaver Brook Trail to the summit of Moosilauke, and then we would descend via the Carriage Road and pick up the Snapper Trail back to the Ravine Lodge. A nice, tidy, and fairly long loop!

Asquam Ridge Trail is an old logging road most of the way up to the ridge near Mount Jim, and as such the footing was generally good, and the grade was mild. We made great time along this trail, and really enjoyed it too, it was a pleasant change from the usual rocks and roots of New England. There were a number of scattered blowdowns, but none took us long to climb over or under, and in short order we were on the ridge. At the high point, we were close to the wooded summit of Mt. Jim, that I discovered after this hike from further research that there was a short herd path leading about 25 or so feet to the summit. Next time!

From Mount Jim, we continued on to the junction with the Beaver Brook Trail, where we ran into the first people of the day. Not surprising, since the Beaver Brook Trail is on the Appalachian Trail and is a popular ascent route. The route got rocky and there were a few boulders to navigate, but overall it wasn't bad. As we approached the Mount Blue - Mount Moosilauke col we kept a lookout for a herd path. We somehow missed it. Next time!

The climb from here to Mt. Moosilauke was straight forward, and with a final push up a steeper segment just past the junction with the Benton Trail, we popped above treeline to awesome views. As always with Moosilauke, the views are superb when you have them, and we enjoyed every bit of them for the rest of the gradual walk up to the (predictably) busy summit.

It was breezy on what is normally a windy peak (arguably almost as windy normally as Mount Washington), and we took a lunch break here like everyone else was. Its bare summit commands wide views in a complete circle! This was Chuck’s and Joe’s first 4,000 footer! And the first time that Tim and Phil have been to the Mt. Moosilauke summit!

Eventually we tore myself away and headed down the ridge to Moosilauke's South Peak. We got cool views of the Tunnel Brook Ravine. We originally planned to climb South Peak looking at our watch, it was best to move on. Next time!

Returning to the Carriage Road, we descended roughly 1.2 miles to Snapper Trail. The first stretch on Carriage Road was its usual rocky self, but we really enjoyed the second half with far fewer rocks. When we reached the Snapper Trail, we were hiking in some really nice hardwoods and wildflowers: Trout Lilly and Red Trillium.  Once on the Gorge Brook Trail, we had the seemingly never-ending climb to the parking lot from the main stream crossing on the Gorge Brook Trail at the very end. A terrific loop, with lots of lightly-traveled trails, but as is typical with the Dartmouth Outing Club that maintains these trails, they were all easy to follow and overall maintained very well.

Afterwards, seven of us returned back to the Mad River Lodge to relax on the deck and enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Jon ending with a lemon pound cake topped with strawberries. It was so great to be with like-minded men enjoying nature and the beauty around us! Until next time!

Trip Report by Mike Boisvert
Pictures taken by Jon Normand

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