South Moat Mountain (2,760ft)
Trail: Moat Mountain Trail
Elevation Gain: 2,200ft
Miles: 5.4 miles
roundtrip
Duration: 3.5 hrs (includes stop along trail at the
summit for 30 min)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
North Doublehead (3,053ft)
Trail: New Path
Elevation Gain: 1,600ft
Miles: 3.0 miles
roundtrip
Duration: 2 hrs, 15 min (includes stop along trail at the
summit for 15 min)
Difficulty: Easy to moderately strenuous
Checked off numbers 16 & 17 of my NH 52 With A View list!
I wasn’t planning on bagging 2 peaks from the list today, but after 2,200 feet of elevation gain to
the summit of South Moat, I still felt good (my knee wasn't bothering me). So I hiked to the summit of North
Doublehead for another 1,600 feet of elevation gain, and that did the trick for
me today. Enjoy some photos I took of my hike to the South Moat Mountain.
Along the Moat Mountain Trail
At the summit
After I got down from South Moat I felt good. My knees
weren’t hurting and I wanted more cardio workout. So I headed over to the
trailhead of North Doublehead. The parking lot is really small and can fit up
to 5 vehicles parked closely to one another. The trail actually starts up the
dirt road a bit and to the right. There is a large white sign with an arrow on
it pointing in the direction of the trail. If you continue on the dirt road,
there is a “private property” sign near a small bridge. There is a “No Parking” sign
along the one-lane dirt road as well.
Just before the junction I met a family of 3…looked like
grandparents with their grandson. They told me that it was their 2nd
attempt to summit via the steep, “Old Path” trail and they turned around
because it was too steep and strenuous. I asked if it was rocky and the guy
said that it was all rocky ….which was bullshit. Some parts of the trail were a
bit rocky but not as much as South Moat. The woman told me that I should ascend
using the Doublehead Ski Trail as it would be “easier on me.” I quickly looked them over and realized that they didn’t even have a backpack or so much as a water bottle between them. Yup, I
really want their advice. Not! I quickly told them bye and headed to the
junction where I took a right onto the steeper trail. I met two more hikers descending and we
chatting for a bit, and then I continued upwards. And the trail stayed steep.
And I pushed on. Pacing my breathing. Staying hydrated. Until I spotted the Doublehead
Cabin through the woods. Enjoy some photos of my hike to North Doublehead
Mountain.
Along the trail
Not much views from the North Doublehead summit. I did get
a shot of Mount Washington through the tops of the trees.
