Mount Moosilauke, 4,802 feet, the western-most 4,000-footer in NH, on a clear day, affords hikers stunning views.  These views are only surpassed at night.  Imagine:  stars, lights, the stillness of the night.

This loop, the simplest and most popular, starts at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. It climbs the Gorge Brook Trail and descends the Moosilauke Carriage Road, Snapper Trail, and back to the Gorge Brook Trail. The Gorge Brook Trail is a beautiful and moderate hike that winds up the south side of the mountain, reaching the summit in 3.7 miles. About a half mile before the real summit, a scrubby false summit is reached. The trail flirts with treeline through rocks and scrub pines until suddenly you come over a rise and the bare, rocky, alpine summit is directly ahead. The summit is very exposed, often windy, and offers a 360 degree view. Leaving the summit, the Carriage Road heads off to the west, walking along the straight, flat ridge for almost a mile before its junction with the Glencliff Trail to the right and the descent really begins. Bear left and remain on the Carriage Road. The Carriage Road, as its name implies, is a wide, grassy, rocky path winding in wide curves down the southwest shoulder of the mountain. A mile past the Glencliff Trail junction, turn left onto the Snapper Trail. This trail leads back to the base of the Gorge Brook Trail, completing the roughly 7.5 mile loop.

Distance: Moosilauke Ravine Lodge to Mt. Moosilauke summit via Gorge Brook Trail = 3.7mi. Carriage Road Trail from Mt. Moosilauke Summit to junction with Snapper Trail = 2.1mi. Snapper Trail to Gorge Brook Trail = 1.1mi. Gorge Brook Trail to Moosilauke Ravine Lodge = .6mi.  TOTAL = 7.5 mi.

Moon Phase the night of this hike:

Equipment: Night hike gear, including warm clothes a headlamp and extra batteries. Note exposed summit. Be prepared.

Directions to Trailhead: From Boston, take I-93 North. After about two hours, get off at Exit 32 in New Hampshire, and turn RIGHT onto Route 112 West (the ramp turns you around to face back south, so turning right takes you west). After 3 miles (passing through the town of North Woodstock), turn LEFT on Route 118 South (it’s easy to miss — if you pass the Beaver Brook parking lot or the Lost River Valley Campground, you’ve gone too far!). After 7.2 miles (winding uphill then starting down the other side), turn RIGHT onto Ravine Road. Drive all the way to the end of the road (stay to the right at the access road turn-off) and reverse direction in the turn-around. Drive back down and find a parking space on the right side of the road (the western downhill side, closest to the Lodge and Mount Moosilauke). Make sure there’s room for busses to pass. Do not park in the turn-around!

Meet at the trailhead at 8:00 pm. (This means we won't be returning to the cars until 1:00 am)

Difficulty Level: Moderate during the day, therefore difficult at night

Weather for Moosilauke area:

Forecast Radar Cameras Photos

Your weather just got better.