Mount Moosilauke: 9/15/25

I never need an excuse to climb Mount Moosilauke on a gorgeous late summer day, but I did want to check out the extensive rock work performed on the Gorge Brook Trail this summer by the Dartmouth Outing Club trail crew.

 

September wildflowers were on display below the Ravine Lodge.  

The rockfest on the lower section of Gorge Brook Trail.

Not much water at "Last Sure Water." It's dry out there.

Beautiful open woods.

I didn't count, but there were dozens of new rock waterbars on the middle and upper sections of the trail.

Several sets of new rock steps, as well.

The waterbars keep coming.

The south outlook at 3800 ft., with Carr Mountain dominating the view.

Easterly view at 4200 ft.

Thank you, DOC!

Another view where the trail turns onto a section known as "The Balcony."

Southerly vista from open ledges on the approach to the gentle East Peak.

Important message for all Moosilauke visitors.

Beautiful approach to the summit.

Looking across an alpine meadow to South Peak.

Stringing defines the footway.

Final approach to the summit.

Obligatory summit sign photo.

 

Great views of the Whites on a nearly windless day with 80-mile visibility. Amazingly, I had the summit to myself for more than half an hour.

After studying the views for a while, I took a stroll along the wonderful north ridge.

More great views of the Whites.

Looking back at he summit.

Vast western views beyond Black Mountain, including nearly the entire chain of the Green Mountains.

There is no excuse for creating a separate path through alpine vegetation just because there are some rocks in the trail.

 

I like the array of ridges seen from the north end of the summit ridge: the knobs of Mt. Blue, the Kinsmans, the Franconia Range, and beyond.

 

 

 

Summit benchmark.

Heading along the Carriage Road to South Peak.

An artful cairn.

Good rock step work done a few years ago.

Thru-hikers bound for Beaver Brook Shelter.

An easterly view over the Gorge Brook valley.

A swath of asters.

Always worth the side trip on a clear day.

South Peak summit.

Nice view of the main summit and "Middle Peak."

I love the view down to the beaver ponds and slides in Tunnel Brook Notch, though late afternoon is not the best time for lighting.

Slides and fir waves on the north side of Slide Ravine.

Heading down the stony Carriage Road.

The footing is markedly better below the Snapper Trail junction, where most traffic turns off.

Fine hardwood forest farther down on the Carriage Road.

Easy walking on Hurricane Trail heading back towards the Ravine Lodge.

Good DOC work providing passage across a washout.

Peaceful scene along the Baker River. If planning to use this trail, note that half of the railing on the high bridge over Gorge Brook is gone; best to do a rock hop across the brook until the railing is repaired.