Mt. Moriah (4,049 ft) 9-13-14

Distance: 10.4 mi.
Elevation: 3,066 ft (overall) 3,488 ft (total)
Time: 3:25 (Summit) 5:52 (Total)
Trails: Stony Brook Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail

This year for Flags on the 48 I didn't sign up to hike with my normal group. Having a set goal for the year, I didn't want to use up a hiking weekend on a peak I had already done this year. So I just picked a peak I hadn't hiked this year that I wanted to for the event. The group for Mt. Moriah was coming in from another direction than I wanted to, so I decided I would just be a spectator this year.

I got a bit of a delayed start to the Stony Brook Trail head this morning, but since I didn't have to be up to the summit for noon, that was fine. The trail starts about 50 feet up the road from the parking area and immediately crosses the river on a nice bridge. It then works along the side of the river over pretty gentle terrain. It does work uphill away from the river briefly before coming back down to cross it. The crossing today was as easy as could be.

First river crossing

After the crossing, the trail follows an old logging road. This makes for a smooth trail and gentle grades. Higher up this section, the trail crosses a couple small brooks. One crossing looks like it could be slippery when wet as the open rock is covered with moss, but hikers have made a workaround for this spot. After the next crossing, the trial turns to the right and heads uphill more steadily.

Crossing of a currently dry brook

Climbing more steadily now, the trail gets a bit more rocky at times, but not overly bad. It does a little bit of a switchback coming up to the ridge as well. Once on the ridge, the trail goes between short climbs and level spots as it works towards the summit. There are open areas along the trail scattered in here as well that provide good views around.

First open spot on the ridge

Interesting clouds over the Presidential Range

As I was nearing the summit, I was in an open section and could see it. I noticed the flag was just getting raised up. I looked at my watch and saw it was 11:58, two minutes before they flag needed to be raised. Good timing by the group bringing it up.

Flag flying on the summit

Just before the summit is the steepest part of the ascent. The Carter-Moriah Trail quickly climbs up some steep rocks before getting to the short path over to the summit. I spent a fair amount of time at the summit and helped the group take down their flag after chatting with them. I then headed back down the same route I came up. Everything went well knowing what the terrain was like. Further down towards the bottom, it started to rain though. Luckily it wasn't raining too hard and I made it to my car without getting very wet.

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE

Mt. Moriah (4,049 ft) 3-15-11

Distance: 8.14 mi.
Elevation: 3310 ft.
Time: 4:05 (base to summit)
Trails: Carter-Moriah Trail

The trail started off pretty gentle through some open woods. The trail was broken out by a couple other hikers with snowshoes. Unfortunately they had stepped in the same spots so you needed to have the same stride to step on hard snow. I was bare booting it at this point and was able to do so until about a mile from the summit. At that point I was starting to sink into the snow a couple inches as it was warming up and the sun was hitting the trails some too.

Early section of trail

The hiking was pretty easy going up to Mt. Surprise. This went by quickly and it only took about 1hr 15min to get there. Pretty good for being almost halfway up the trail distance wise.

View near Mt. Surprise

After this the speed went down though. Partly because of getting more tired, but mainly due to the tighter trails, steeper sections, and the ups and downs over humps in the ridge and false summits. Getting closer to the summit, I was glad someone had been up the trail before me. It was easy to follow, but at times I questioned if we were actually on the trail. This was mainly due to what I am guessing is very deep snow in spots on the trail. There were some sections where you were almost on your hands and knees to get under the branches of the trees on the trail. I am guessing you can easily walk under these in the summer.

Branches about 2 feet off the ground in the trail

All this effort was worth it though once I got to the summit. The sky was clear and the view was great. You can see in all directions, but I found I was almost always starring over at the Presidential Range taking it all in. There was almost no wind at all so I only put on my goggles to be used as sunglasses. I had something to eat and drink and looked around. It was very peaceful on the summit as the only noises I heard were the occassional sound of a jet and the snow melting and falling off of the trees. It was great being there with that view in complete silence at times.

Gorgeous view from the summit

View to the North

Mt. Washington summit

With the day being so nice, I took a longer ride home going through Crawford Notch and other places to get some pictures and see some more sights for the day. This made for a nice relaxing ride home.

Mt. Washington Hotel and Presidential Range

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE