Mount Moosilauke

 This weekend a group of us trekked to New Hampshire to tackle Mount Moosilauke. We had planned to leave early Saturday morning but living through a pandemic , one of us received a contact tracing email and had to get a rapid COVID test before we left. We practiced flexible thinking and adjusted our schedule. We decided to keep the hotel room and have fun the night BEFORE the hike. 

We arrived at our hotel in Londonderry at about 4:30pm. We changed up and went out looking for trouble in Manchester, where apparently there isn’t any COVID because very few people wore masks. We kept our masks on and went to Tio Juan Margaritas for fish tacos and a flight of margaritas that were delicious. Then we journeyed over to a cowboy bar called Bonfire for some very weak drinks and terrible chips and dip, fun atmosphere, terrible drinks and food. We were home by 10 to get rest before the big climb.

We drove about a hour north to Loon the next morning to the entrance at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. Unfortunately, the parking lot is closed so that added about a mile to the trip. We chose an out and back route on Gorge Brook Trail which you access near the lodge by crossing over a bridge. You cross over two other bridges while hiking that are always fun for a yoga pose! 

The trail consists of 3.6 miles of slippery rocks and leaves. The assent was challenging on the lungs but easy on the body while the opposite was true for dissent. Hiking poles are a must for the hike down. 

The views are the summit are breathtaking and there are plenty of fellow hikers but also plenty of room to share. The total mileage of this trip was 11 difficult miles, well worth the journey and views. 

I really enjoyed the interesting appeal of the frost on the evergreens at the summit. The trees had a magical quality that felt special and unique to this incredible mountain top habitat . 

Mount Moosilauke was a great first 4000’ footer to cut my mountain climbing teeth on! I was sore for about two days and enjoyed a relaxing yoga class upon returning home to give my old bones a break. 

Can’t wait for number two!!!