Leader: Len Ulbricht
Co-leader: Anne Duggan
Difficulty Rating: B (strenuous) for distance, C (average) for terrain
This enjoyable loop hike is long at 9.3 miles but terrain is not overly difficult, even for the
summit’s 4802 ft elevation and an elevation change of about 2400 ft. The route starts at the
Moosilauke Ravine Lodge off NH route 118 following the Gorge Brook trail to the summit, then loops around Jobildunk Ravine to return via the Beaver Brook (part of the AT) and Asquam Ridge trails. The trails are well maintained with stone steps in many places, easy switchbacks when needed and all river crossings bridged. There are signs of hurricane Irene damage and trail re-routing is still underway in spots. The Lodge, which is open the the public, and though part of the WMNF much of the mountain is property of the Dartmouth College Outing Club (See http://outdoors.dartmouth.edu/services/ravine_lodge/). There is ample roadside parking. Just the day before club members celebrated the opening of a newly built bunkhouse. (It’s the Class of 65 bunkhouse should you inquire about accommodations.)
Weather was perfect with temperature in the 70s, moderate humidity, a light NW breeze and
high cloud cover filtering out the sun’s heat, yet occasional pockets of blue sky allowed the sun to poke through every now and then. Six of us completed the hike in about 7 hours including a 40 minute lunch, rest and enjoy the view stop at the summit. Our 2 hour 40 minutes to the summit (book time is 3 hours) is indicative of easy terrain not fast hiking. On the ascent the roar of Gorge Brook accompanied us much of the way. At one point there was a large south facing view clearing giving uninterrupted sightline to Mt. Kineo, the ridge line of wind turbines in Rumney/Plymouth area, what looked like Mt Cardigan in the far distance, and rolling hills to the left and right. Just gorgeous. The treeless summit is well marked with cairns and we easily spotted the Franconia Notch ridge line and peaks beyond. To get relief from the cool wind hikers huddled behind several stone windbreaks, perhaps foundation remnants of a former mountaintop hotel. An AT through hiking couple (with dachshund) passed us on the summit.
The pretty return trip took us through dense and fragrant pine forest, over a couple of side
peaks (Mts. Blue and Jim), sections of open forest understory with multiple stretches of emerald green moss and clintonia borealis wildflower carpeting the forest floor, and more roaring brook from the Baker River.
GPS hike time 7:05 hrs., ascent 2579 feet, distance 8.7 miles.
