A demanding climb above tree line to 360-degree views! Post-hike swim at Diana's Baths!

We begin the hike on the North Mountain Trail, passing by Diana's Baths, a tantalizing mix of potholes, cascades, slides, and small plunges formed by Lucy Brook, and which provides a good swimming hole for everyone to swim after the hike. Wear your bathing suit for this hike! We'll continue to the trail junction with the Red Ridge Trail, and then follow this to the Red Ridge Link. It's an easy hike up to this point, gaining very little elevation.

The climbing then begins in earnest as we begin our 2,000 foot ascent over Red Ridge to join the North Mountain trail upper junction on the ridge crest between North Moat and Middle Moat. Portions of the trail are on open ledges that offer magnificent views facing North Conway. We'll then summit North Moat Mountain [3,196'], which has unobstructed views in all directions. From the summit, it is 3.7 miles back to Diana's Baths on the Moat Mountain Trail all the way. 

We plan on taking a dip at Diana's Baths once we finish so wear a bathing suit for this hike and pack a small towel. Have a change of clothing back at the car. 

Trip summary: 8.9 miles; 2,650 feet elevation gain; 7 hours

After the Hike: What better way to end the hike than have dinner at the Moat Mountain Micro-Brewery in North Conway!

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at my house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and Saturday night for $20 per night. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have limited space in the fridge to store your beverages/food so it's best to bring a small cooler. Space is limited so email me ASAP to reserve a bunk!

We can meet at 7:30 to carpool from the Campton Post Office at Exit 28 off I-93. Let us know if you'll be carpooling with us.

Otherwise take Rte. 95 North to NH, take Rte. 16 North in Portsmouth and follow it to Conway. To avoid traffic in North Conway, take a left onto Washington Street at the junction of Rte 16 and Rte 153 in downtown Conway. Washington Street is at the very first set of traffic lights after you pass the junction of Routes 16 and 112 [the Kanc]. On Washington Street, bear left af the the fork onto West Side Road. Drive north until eventually coming to a "T" intersection at West Side Road and River Street ~ take a LEFT and stay on West Side Road. Continue on West Side Road, passing Cathedral Ledge Drive on the left. After passing over Lucy Brook on a narrow bridge, go 0.2 miles and look for a small dirt drive to Diana's Baths on the left [easy to miss so slow down]. Parking at Diana's Baths is $3 per vehicle; the annual White Mountain National Forest car pass can also be used here. We'll be driving a blue Toyota FJ Cruiser.