My first successful 4000-footer in a yearlong quest—the journey that became 4000s by 40—was on a brisk November day. With the support of my better half, and at her urging, we returned to Moosilauke for the task. Unlike my first experience on the mountain, the trail was crowded with hikers this day, and we quickly learned that baby blue Patagonia jackets are standard issue for most peak baggers. We also saw a broad range of ways that hikers enjoy their time in the mountains—singing, laughing, bragging, quietly contemplating, or avoiding each other altogether. Our interactions ran the gamut.
On the way up Mount Moosilauke, along the same Gorge Brook Trail that held me up during a winter whiteout, we enjoyed beautiful views and, in my opinion, perfect hiking weather. It was chilly, but not frigid. Then again, I tend to prefer the cold…
“Within minutes I was sweating like a polar bear on the equator. Off came the hat, the gloves, my jacket, and my fleece. I like to think I heat up so quickly because of my Norwegian Viking blood, inherited from my great-grandfather Lars Larson. It may only account for an eighth of me, but I choose to believe it rules the other seven-eighths with an iron fist and a hammer.”
Summit Views on Mount Moosilauke
Even though it’s colder in November, until there is snow on the ground, Moosilauke tends to be pretty well-trafficked. We met plenty of people at the summit. After a short reprieve, it was time to gear up and put back on all of the clothes I shed on the way up. On a cold day, the sweat from the ascent can give you a quick chill once you are at rest.
I’ve been to Moosilauke several times now, and I swear, it looks different every time. Recently I read a comment online where they said, “you never know when Moosilauke is going to Moosilauke,” and that rings true. There are days where at Moosilauke’s base you’ll have nothing but sunny skies, and yet, when you reach the summit, you find it covered in fog or are greeted with a storm. Then, returning to the trailhead, you have clear skies again. This hike up Moosilauke is the only time I’ve had clear weather throughout.
“It was a wonderfully misleading way to officially begin my adventure.”
I’m not sure if she knew what she helped me start, but it made a huge difference knowing that my wife was a-okaying the plan to go ahead with this harebrained scheme. To cap the day off, we headed to the Common Man in Lincoln for a beer and some grub, which every climber knows is the best way to finish a day in the mountains. It was beautiful day.
Mount Moosilauke Ascent Details
Moosilauke Height: 4,802 Feet
Route (Out and Back): Ravine Lodge Road to Gorge Brook Trail
Elevation Gain: 2,718 Feet
Miles to Summit: 4.8
Total Distance: 9.6 Miles (With the closing of the Ravine Lodge Road it added 1.5 miles of hiking in both directions)
Trailhead Location: The Ravine Lodge Road is in Warren, NH, just west of Woodstock. The usually close the gate starting sometime in November.
Exploring Mount Moosilauke: Trail Reports & Peakbagging Resources
You never know what you’re going to get on Moosilauke. As one fellow hiker recently said to me, you never know when “Moosilauke is going to Moosilauke.” In all of my hikes in New Hampshire, I’ve had more unpredictable weather on Moosilauke than any other 4000-footer. To prepare for this, here are some resources I use to determine trail conditions, peakbagging stats, and scenic highlights. There are certainly others that I use, but these are a few of my go-tos:
- Peakbagger.com – Mount Moosilauke | – A great place to track your 4000-footer progress, log summits, and see detailed elevation data.
- NewEnglandWaterfalls.com – Provides difficulty ratings and highlights scenic viewpoints in the winter—perfect for planning ahead.
- AMC Trail Maps – I have different versions that came with a more detailed trail book, but it’s always good to have a reliable map.
Digging Deeper
Mount Moosilauke gave me a rough introduction to the 4000-footers, but this time, I left with a summit under my belt and a much better idea of what I’d gotten myself into. It was just the beginning. If you want to read more about the journey—both the victories and the misadventures—you can find it all in 4000s by 40. Or, to see more photos, head back to the 4000s by 40 Visual Companion to explore more peaks.