MT. MOOSILAUKE (4,802 ft.) HIKE VIA BENTON TRAIL

There's no better place than the crown of the Moose on a cool, breezy day with 100-mile visibility! We hiked up the Benton Trail that is a pleasant and lightly-used approach from the Northwest. With the Benton Trail, the hike was approximately 10.2 miles round trip with around 3400' of elevation gain. Definitely worth the little extra effort compared to other options to climb the Moose.

Road walk of 1.5 miles may make you choose other options for Moosilauke but it shouldn't. The walk was very nice and provides a nice warm up and cool down. The crossing of Tunnel Brook had many rock hopping options and all worked. The Benton Trail is great! Easy on the feet, shady, and excellent overlooks. The East overlook provided splendid views into Little Tunnel Ravine and into Vermont. We continued our ascent at a moderate grade through a beautiful evergreen forest. The higher West overlook is getting treed in but we saw unique views of Black and Blueberry Mountain. Compared to many trails the erosion is minimal and the foot bed was good all the way.

The treeless summit of New Hampshire’s tenth tallest mountain and westernmost 4,000-footer is a stunning and worthy prize for peakbaggers! It was a great day to be above treeline! Moosilauke's views boast a unique vastness. We had lunch on the summit enjoying our stay above treeline.

Saw 3 people on the Benton Trail on the ascent and descent. This was a great hike. Everyone was very friendly! Very cool stuff! We enjoyed the pace, with lots of time to hike and plenty of stops to take in the views and talk amongst ourselves on a range of topics.   What a day!

The treeless summit of New Hampshire’s tenth tallest mountain and westernmost 4,000-footer is a stunning and worth prize for peakbaggers! With the Benton Trail, the hike will be approximately 10.2 miles round trip with around 3400' of elevation gain. Please note there is a river crossing that is usually challenging to cross so we are requiring everyone to have sandals to change into for this crossing just in case.

Thanks to the out-of-the-way location of the Benton Trailhead—and some rerouting in the wake of Hurricane Irene—the Benton Tail sees much less traffic compared to Moosilauke’s more popular routes, despite being one of the easiest ways to the mountain’s summit. The 3.6-mile trail follows the route of an old bridle path, accounting for its modest terrain and moderate footing. Hikers on the Benton Trail are also afforded fantastic views of the Kinsmans and Little Tunnel Brook Ravine, before connecting with the Beaver Brook Trail/Appalachian Trail. From here, the trail continues for a half-mile through the alpine zone, guided by impressive cairns, to Moosilauke’s rocky summit. The summit is above treeline with excellent views in all directions. Because there are no other nearby mountains, this summit is often very windy.

Don't forget to bring wind/rain shell, water, lunch, snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, etc. along with whatever you typically have for a hiking excursion. We’ll have lunch on top of the summit. 

Social Mixer: Following the hike, everyone is welcome back at our house in Waterville Valley to hang out for a couple hours alongside the Mad River for swimming/sunbathing, socialize around the deck and enjoy a BBQ! It's BYOB and it costs $10 per person. Bring your swim trunks/towel. We have to cross the shallow Mad River to reach our sandy beach so bring sandals or old sneakers; FLIP FLOPS WILL NOT WORK TO CROSS THE RIVER! 

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and Saturday night. Its $25 dollars Friday night and $35 Saturday that includes BBQ. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have 4 bunks available so the first 4 guys that contact us to reserve will get one; and let us know which night[s] you’ll be lodging with us. You’re on your own for dinner Friday night but you’re welcome to use our kitchen facilities to cook!