| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Moat Mountain, Middle Moat Mountain, North Moat Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Moat Mountain Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, April 15, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking lots on both ends were busy |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossings are high, I fell in one, don't be me |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Idk who made the decision to alter the South Moat trail but you have my sincerest dislike and distaste towards your awful decisions to make the trail easier and longer. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Canine's may not like the section of trail from the Red Ridge intersection to North Moat |
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 | Bugs: |
1 tick but otherwise nothing |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a little black double carabiner frozen in the ice partially, small victorys |
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 | Comments: |
Performed a traverse of the Moat's from South to North. The ascent to South Moat's summit was spotless, with maybe a small patch of snow in the woods but no snow or ice anywhere on the trail. Rock surfaces on all ledges were slippery but easily negotiable. The section of trail from South to Middle initially was dry, however, in the small dip we discovered a section of 1ft deep snow which only lasted a short distance. From Middle moat to Red ridge had significant snow-monorail with some occasional drifts. From red ridge to North Moat was a post-hole/snow drift nightmare. Snow was 3-4 feet in some places, entirely unstable the entire 1.4 miles. This section considerably slowed us down and our feet were completely soaked. Spikes are an absolute must, crampons wouldn't be bad but I imagine in a week or so things will have considerably improved. The descent from North Moat was easily one of the most hellish ones I've done (I hike this trail very regularly) and did not help our time. We encountered 1-2ft snow, glacial ice, and a river running straight under the trail. These conditions held to approximately 2,000ft which was not at all the case last year, there was snow/ice but nothing like this. Round trip with breaks accounted for totalled 7hr 30min. While this may seem excessive the trail was not in any type of decent condition past South Moat. On a summer day with short breaks at each peak this is a 4-4.5hr hike if keeping a solid pace, 3hrs if you're trail running. Honestly, it would be worth it to wait till May when these conditions are almost non-existent. |
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 | Name: |
Liam |
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 | E-Mail: |
Http:// |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-04-15 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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