Hello!
I’m back with another hike recap! Today I’ll be writing about my solo Moosilauke (or as I like to call this mountain, the Moose) hike from Monday. One of my many many hiking related goals is to hike all of the NH48 peaks solo, and Moose brings me to 19. Fun little project.
This hike also was the 48th peak for round three! If you asked me a few years ago if I would be hiking the 48 multiple times, I probably would’ve responded something like “that sounds fun, but it probably won’t happen”. Many things in my current life (and even pre-covid) life are a lot different than I anticipated. Moving north was a goal but I didn’t expect it to actually happen. Living alone was a dream, and I’m happy I pulled this one off. Starting my own strength and sports nutrition coaching business definitely wasn’t in the cards, in fact, I thought I’d be in medical school right now. Solo hiking also wasn’t something I did until really the last year/year and a half. Life is interesting.
SO, the Moose.
The hike: Moosilauke via Gorge Brook Trail
Miles: 9
Vert: ~2,713ft (according to my Garmin watch)
Initially I was planning on taking the Glencliff Trail up, but ended up going via Gorge Brook as it was a little less driving and my spidey sense was telling me to go this way. Decision made. I think next time I’ll make a loop with some of the other trails to spice things up a tad.
Parking for Gorge Brook is about a mile up on Ravine Road, where from there hikers have a 0.8 mile road walk to the trailhead which is at the other end of the bridge pictured above. A pretty quick road walk to the start of the trail, which then on my way back to the car I decided to run it (mainly because running is fun… but I also get ansty, ha!).
Having hiked Moose from Gorge Brook before, I knew what the trail was like and that it would be a pretty mellow hike for myself. Mellow was completely what I was after this day, so Moose felt fitting. My main reason for the Moose was to wrap up round 3 with a solo hike and also I needed it towards a different hiking goal… see I told you, I have a few projects up my sleeve.
There are a few lookout spots along the trail, but otherwise it is below treeline until the last maybe 0.25 miles. Although when I hiked this trail a few winters ago, there was much more “above treeline”, as you know, so much snowfall.
My hike up went by quickly and I was surprised to only pass 6 or 7 other hikers as this is a pretty popular route. When I arrived at the summit two girls and a pup had just left, and I had the summit to myself! The skies were blue with some clouds, wind very light, and the sunshine was warm! These are the best days in my opinion, and it’s always lovely to get to hangout solo on a summit.
I took some pictures, had a snack, and just enjoyed the quite time. About 10 minutes later another hiker came up from the Beaver Brook Trail and we said hello. After staying for a few more minutes, I grabbed my pack and made my way back into the woods.
The remainder of the hike was fairly uneventful. Just a quite hike/jog down the mountain. I could tell more people had arrived after I did as there were quite a few hikers heading up as I was coming down. I decided to listen to a podcast on my way down, one of the entrepreneur related podcasts I follow. Typically I hike in silence but sometimes opting for a podcast or music just feels right, totally depends on the day/hike/mood. This is definitely one of the perks of solo hiking – choosing if I want to hike in silence or not.
All in all this was a great hike and I’m looking forward to my next trip up the Moose and exploring some new (to me) routes!
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
John Burroughs