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Mount Moriah Hiking Trail Guide: Map, Trail Descriptions, Pictures & More

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Article Categories: Hiking
Article Tags: Day Hikes | Hiking | NE 67 | New Hampshire | The 48

The summit of Mount Moriah is located at 4,049 feet, and 5 miles Southeast of Gorham, NH. It lies within the Carter-Moriah Range in the White Mountains. The shortest route to the summit is by taking the Carter-Moriah trail, which goes over the summit of Mount Surprise (2,194′) before reaching the summit of Moriah. The trail somewhat easy in comparison to other NH 4,000 footer mountains, but, can be dangerous in wet conditions. The summit of Mount Moriah is exposed above tree line, offering panoramic, 360 degree views of the Presidential Range and the Carter-Moriah Range on a clear day.

Elevation: 4,049 feet (1,234 meters)

Elevation gain: 3,264 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 9 miles roundtrip

Duration(book time): 5-6 hours

Trails

Carter-Moriah Trail – 9 Miles Round Trip – 3,264 feet of elevation gain

Start your hike at the Carter-Moriah trail head and follow along the Carter-Moriah Trail for roughly 2 miles. You will then reach the open summit of Mount Surprise. Continue along the Carter-Moriah Trail for another 2.5 miles until you reach the summit of Mount Moriah with excellent views.

Mount Moriah Trail Map

Alternative routes

Stony Brook Trail – 9.2 Miles Round Trip

For a 9.2 mile roundtrip hike, start by hiking along the Stony Brook trail until you reach the junction for the Carter-Moriah Trail. Turn onto the Carter Moriah Trail and continue to hike roughly 1.4 more miles until you reach the summit of Mount Moriah.

Mount Moriah Stony Brook Trail Map

Rattle River Trail

This trail provides one of the shortest routes to reach the summit. Follow along the Rattle River trail, also known as the Appalachian trail, for 4.3 miles until you reach the Kenduskeag Trail junction. The Rattle River Shelter is located about 1.7 into the trail, and is a popular place for A.T. thru-hikers to camp overnight.

Hiking in winter

Hiking in winter above tree-line can be extreme and dangerous in inclement weather. Moriah is generally less traveled than other 4,000 footers, making it a little more essential to bring all of the proper winter hiking equipment and be prepared. This is a great winter hike as it doesn’t feature tons of icy and dangerous sections.

Camping and overnight hiking options

AMC’s Imp Campsite is located 2.1 miles southeast of Moriah’s summit on the Imp Shelter spur trail, just off the Carter-Moriah trail. The Rattle River Shelter is located beside the Rattle River Trail. No fee nor caretaker.

Carter Moriah Trail

Parking

Carter-Moriah Trail

The trailhead is located in Gorham New Hampshire off of Bangor Road. No WMNF parking pass is required. The parking area is located in a residential neighborhood. Stony Brook Trail: The trailhead sign is located roughly two miles south of Gorham, on Rt 16. A WMNF Parking pass is required.

Rattle River Trail

Located on Route 2 at the Rattle River bridge, right near North Road. Roughly 4 miles from downtown Gorham, New Hampshire.

Stony Brook Trail

The trailhead parking area for Stony Brook trail is located on Route 16, roughly two miles south of Gorham, New Hampshire.

Directions

To get to the Carter-Moriah trailhead

NH 2 East, leaving Gorham, cross over bridge and railroad tracks. Take a turn sharp right onto Bangor Road: 0.2 mi. after crossing bridge. Across street from Androscoggin Country Club golf course. It will be on a paved road, residential neighborhood. Follow to its end at 0.5 mi.until you reach the trailhead parking sign. No WMNF parking pass is required.

To get to the Stony Brook trailhead 

Trailhead sign is located roughly two miles south of Gorham, on Rt 16. The parking lot will be a short distance up a spur road. A WMNF Parking pass is required.

Weather

Although the summit of Moriah is substantially lower than nearby Mt Washington, Mount Moriah’s summit is entirely exposed to bad weather and should not be attempted in inclement weather. Hiking above tree line in the White Mountains requires specialized gear, equipment and skills.

Gorham, NH

Tonight
Patchy fog and scattered rain showers before 8pm, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog between 8pm and 9pm, then patchy fog and scattered rain showers between 9pm and midnight, then rain and patchy fog. Cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday
Rain and patchy fog. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday Night
Rain and patchy fog before 8pm, then patchy fog and rain and snow likely between 8pm and 9pm, then patchy fog and rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 10 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Northwest wind 25 to 45 mph, with gusts as high as 70 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Friday Night
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Northwest wind 45 to 50 mph, with gusts as high as 80 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Saturday
A slight chance of snow before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 29. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Saturday Night
A slight chance of snow after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Nearby Hikes

The Carter Moriah Range consists of some beautiful summits. One of the most frequently completed hikes is Carter Dome. While the summit of Carter Dome doesn’t have great views, the very close by Mount Hight is stunning.

Additional photos

Mount Moriah summit marker

Mount Moriah summit marker

Mount Moriah Trail Views

Mount Moriah Trail views

Photo credit – Alexius Horatius

Andrea Davis

Andrea Davis

Andrea is a writer, hiker, and adventurer from New England. She enjoys snowboarding, sunrise hikes, winter, night hiking, traveling, and photography.

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