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About


Mt. Surprise, Mt. Moriah
Gorham, NH, Shelburne, NH, Bean's Purchase, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Carter Moriah Trail on the way to Mt. Surprise
Looking up the Carter Moriah Trail on the way to Mt. Surprise

Route: Carter Moriah Trail

En route to Maine, I decided to hike Mt. Moriah.

Parking at the snowmobile trail crossing on Bangor Road, we soon set foot up the Carter-Moriah Trail, using Microspikes due to the hardpack, relatively low base depth nature of the snow.

Reaching Mt. Surprise, we had cloudy, but decent views of the Presidentials. By the time we reached the summit of Mt. Moriah, we were engulfed in clouds.

For the descent, I took my time in a few short, steep areas due to blue ice. While I was able to get down with Microspikes, it was almost enough to warrant crampon use. Below Mt. Surprise, it was smooth sailing.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: Mt. Surprise
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Moderate
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Moderate
Destination: Mt. Moriah
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Very Difficult
Navigation: Moderate
Views: Minimal (due to weather)
Crowds: Moderate


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Saturday, January 8, 2011
Hike Commenced: 8:19 AM
Parking Elevation: 790'
Destination: Mt. Moriah
Ascent Commenced: 8:25 AM
Summit Reached: 11:11 AM
Time Elapsed: 02:46
Trailhead Elevation: 790'
Summit Elevation: 4,049'
Distance: 4.5 miles
Vertical Gain: 3,558'
Hike Ended: 1:07 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 04:52
Hike Distance: 9 miles
Hike Vertical Gain: 3,868'


The Carter Moriah Trail trailhead on Bangor Street
The Carter Moriah Trail trailhead on Bangor Street

Looking at Mt. Washington from the ledges below the Mt. Surprise summit - Click to enlarge
Looking at Mt. Washington from the ledges below the Mt. Surprise summit

Looking up the Carter Moriah Trail between Mt. Surprise and Mt. Moriah
Looking up the Carter Moriah Trail between Mt. Surprise and Mt. Moriah

Fog as seen from Mt. Moriah - Click to enlarge
Fog as seen from Mt. Moriah

Topographic map of Mt. Surprise, Mt. Moriah - Click to enlarge


Directions to trailhead: Take Route 16 North to Gorham, then take US 2 East. Just after crossing the river, take a right onto Bangor Street. Trailhead is at the end of this street on the left. There is limited parking at the trailhead.

Back to Mt. Surprise Profile
Back to Mt. Moriah Profile




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