September 16, 2007
My map of the White Mountains wasn't showing a parking area for the trailhead, so I thought I might have trouble finding it. I had no problem though. I went by some trees that had 'no parking' signs on them. Hmmm?? The only reason I could think of that these signs were here in the middle of nowhere, was that the trailhead was close. I then noticed that underneath one of the signs was a note that stated that the trailhead had been relocated a half mile to the west. I drove down the road a little further and found not only the trailhead, but a newly constructed White Mountains National Forest parking lot. Great!
Here's today's track.
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As typical with a lot of my Sunday hikes, I got a late start. Maddie and I didn't leave the trailhead until 1:45 in the afternoon.
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Look how smooth the trail is. This can't be a White Mountains trail.
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Again, this can't be a White Mountains trail.
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Across a newly constructed bridge.
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These logs help prevent trail erosions.
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Then the trail changed. I started gaining a lot more elevation, and the trail got rocky.
Now this is a White Mountains hiking trail!
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After a steep climb, I came out on some open ledges.
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Looking west to Mount Chocorua.
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Looking south
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Looking southeast
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Madison waits for me to catch up.
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It was fairly hot for September, and I found Madison taking a break in the shade.
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Nearing the summit
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I met some hikers coming down who informed that Fandangles, a restaurant in North Conway was on fire. I had to pull off the road a couple times on my drive here to let fire trucks passed. Now I know why. I later confirmed that this fire did occur at Fandangles.
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Madison on the 2,749 summit of South Moat.
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There was a superb 360° view from the top.
Here's a view of Chocorua and the Sandwich Range.
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Looking west to the Pemigewasset Wilderness
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Looking north to Middle Moat and then North Moat.
Mount Washington can be seen to the right with its' summit in the clouds.
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Looking northeast to Kearsarge North
South Moat is an awesome peak that comes to a point. I love a pointed open summit when you have no doubt that you are on the absolute top of the mountain. I am all for the lists (100 highest in New England, 100 highest in New Hampshire, 4000 footers etc...), but those who limit themselves to just these lists are really missing out on some tremendous peaks.
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Madison and I continued on toward Middle Moat looking back occasionally to South Moat.
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We dropped down into the woods, but just for a minute or two.
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South Moat is getting smaller, a sign of progress being made.
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Madison poses near the summit of Middle Moat.
Unlike South Moat which has a distinct top, Middle Moat (2,805) has a couple places that look about the same height, so I tagged them both.
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Looking west.
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As I looked ahead to North Moat . . .
. . . I realized it was out of reach for today. I just got to the trailhead too late, and it's dark by 7:00 now. I decide that I would continue another a mile. I had hiked to the top of North Moat earlier this year. When I did, I descended via the Red Ridge Trail. I'll continue on until I get to that trail junction, at least that way I will have completed the whole ridge. I had a little difficulty following the trail from Middle Moat back down below treeline. A few more blazes or cairns would have been helpful. But I was in the open and just followed the ledges down until the trail went back into the woods. Watch out for the roots!
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About a mile later I came out at the Red Ridge Trail junction. There is a small collection of boulder here. Maddie was waiting for me at the top.
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Maddie was right! If you climb up these rocks there is another 360° view.
Looking north to North Moat which is just out of reach for today.
In the picture above, do you notice the wooden signs marking the trail junction. Every now and then, an inanimate object will freak Madison out. She kept growling and barking at the sign. She started to freak me out a little. Was it the sign or something in the woods? I wanted to bring her over to it to show her it was a sign, but wouldn't I look dumb if a bear jumped out. She finally calmed down.
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Looking west
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Looking back to Middle Moat
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Madison and I returned over the same route, leaving time for a nice nap on South Moat. We got back to the car at dusk. I was glad I decided not to go after North Moat today. I would have spent at least an hour hiking in the dark.
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