Beating the Storm on South Moat Mountain
Our decision to hike South Moat Mountain turned out to be the perfect antidote to an extended period of indoor confinement. The six of us had endured several days of windy, snowy weather and another storm was forecasted mid-afternoon. We were overdue for an outdoor fix. Located in the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, a hike on South Moat is easy to moderate in difficulty and usually completed in 4 or 5 hours. Snowshoes were unnecessary as the trail was well-packed when we embarked at 9:30 A.M. Winds were gusting at approximately 30 miles per hour at the barren summit but the 360-degree views of the White Mountains and Saco River Valley were phenomenal. Finding shelter behind a large rock formation, we bundled up in our down parkas and enjoyed a hasty lunch. Storm clouds approaching from the south and west dictated an abbreviated respite. Affixing micro-spikes to our boots for the descent, spitting snow and increasing winds accompanied us on the return trek to our vehicles, arriving prior to the storm. South Moat Mountain is an ideal hike when you’re limited to just a few hours, but want an exciting adventure with outstanding views. Consult our book, Mountains for Mortals - New England, for directions to the trailhead, a detailed route description and map of the hike. Visit our website, www.ronchaseoutdoors.com, for additional information on our book and more great New England hikes.