South Moose Mountain

Length: 3.9 mile loop

Difficulty (click for info): Moderate

Elevation Gain: 1000 feet (+110 feet on descent)

Rating (click for info): 6/10

Elevation: 2291'

Prominence: 289'

Driving Directions:
Trailhead and parking area are on 3 mile road in Hanover NH. From Rt. 4, 1.1 miles east of the junction with Rt. 4A and 8.8 miles west of the junction with Rt. 118, drive north on Rudsboro Road for 3.8 miles. Turn right onto 3 Mile Road and continue 1.3 miles to an Appalachian Trail crossing, where there is parking on the left side of the road. Click here for a Google map.

About the Hike:
Moose Mountain is a long ridge at the southern end of a southern extension of the White Mountains known as the Middle Connecticut River Mountains. This range contains notable summits such as Smarts Mountain and Mt. Cube, and the main ridgeline of these mountains is traversed by the Appalachian Trail. Moose Mountain is a more obscure place with rewarding scenery for less effort than the more heavily traveled peaks in the range. This hike visits the peak at the south end of its long ridge, which has a grassy clearing at the top with nice views of Goose Pond.

For this hike, you will follow the Appalachian Trail all the way to the summit. From the parking area, head just to the left across the road and set off on the northbound AT (Moose Mountain Trail) as it heads slightly uphill, then drops about 100 feet to cross Mink Brook on a bridge in a mossy hollow in 0.2 miles. The trail climbs back away from the brook, crosses a muddy section with bog bridges, and arrives at the Harris Trail, a woods road, in another 0.2 miles. Cross the road and continue straight on the AT. The trail continues through gentle terrain in sparse hardwood forest, passing General's Trail on the right in a quarter mile. In another 0.1 miles, it begins to climb moderately along the north side of a ridge curving down from the summit. In a quarter mile, pass Peter's Trail on the right. The grade begins to lessen, and the trail crosses a couple muddy sections on stepping stones. It passes a connecting path on the left and then Ridge Trail on the right in another quarter mile. The trail stays close to the top of the ridge now, as it climbs through open woods at moderate grades, with occasional stony sections. In 0.65 miles, the trail reaches the clearing at the summit of South Moose. Trees have been cleared from the east side of the opening to keep the view open. A summit sign and cairn mark the summit as the AT continues over the ridge to North Moose Mountain, the highest point on the ridge. The grassy clearing provides an extensive view to the east, taking in the most prominent peaks south of the White Mountains. You can move around to see all different angles of the landscape. Goose Pond, an oblong body of water sprawling in front of Mt. Cardigan, is now partially blocked by trees. Ragged Mountain and Mt. Kearsarge can be seen toward the middle of the view, and Mt. Sunapee is off to the right.

To make the loop descent, continue just past the clearing and immediately bear left onto the Nat Thompson Trail. The trail, less used than the AT of course, descends gently across the broad top of the mountain and then swings to the left, dropping off a ridge and heading into a small brook valley. It crosses the little brook in half a mile from the top and follows it downhill. In 0.3 miles, the trail passes the other end of the connecting trail over to the AT. The trail descends into a darker hemlock patch and joins an old road used for a ski trail. In 0.3 miles, bear right as the ski trail continues to the left. The trail descends back toward the brook and in 0.1 miles emerges at the Dartmouth Outing Club's Class of '88 Lodge. Walk around to the other side of the lodge and continue to follow the trail downhill, crossing the brook on a bridge. Reach the Harris Trail in 0.1 miles. Turn left and follow the wide path, passing several other diverging trails, crossing the brook on small stones, and arriving back at the AT in 0.3 miles. Turn right and return the way you came for 0.4 miles back to the trailhead.

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