Wild River Wilderness / Moriah Loop Backpack:

The four of us met on Friday, as planned, despite the thunderstorms forecast for Friday through Saturday.  Russ and I met in Gorham on Thursday and had a bite for dinner before going to Dolly Copp campground.   We set up my tent in the dark and had just turned in for the night when there was a biblical deluge of rain.   There was so much, intense rain that my tent floor was floating on it, and it was coming through the seams.  Russ had set up a tarp over his tent and was mostly protected from the storm. 

Early morning the rain had already ended, and we packed up our gear.   I threw my soaking, car camping tent in my car, and we went over to the AMC Joe Dodge Lodge for breakfast.   At 8:30 AM, we met Martin and Dan at the trailend, spotted our cars and started our hike up to Mt. Moriah.   It was a super humid day and the long ascent up this 4000-footer resulted in a lot of sweating and a lot of breaks throughout the day.   Carrying full packs over multiple summits is not to be underestimated and I am still struggling to get back into hiking condition after a sedentary year (or three)…

The weather was mostly fair, but humid with a few sprinkles as we hiked over Moriah, Middle Moriah and Shelburne-Moriah.   The views on Shelburne-Moriah were expansive, as expected.  We had a break to enjoy the views and then started our descent into the Wild River Wilderness.   We knew that there would be no water sources the entire day until about 1400 feet on Shelburne-Moriah.  Our plan was to carry at least 3 liters of water each and then refill after descending from Shelburne-Moriah.  The high humidity and long day resulted in all of us running low and a bit dehydrated.  The plan was to camp near water on the Shelburne trail, but all the stream beds were dry.   Martin hiked ahead and found a muddy hole he was able to filter some water from.  After that, we continued our descent hoping that once we got in the Wild River Wilderness, we would be able to find a running stream.  At some point we found a rivulet for refilling our bottles.  At around 7 PM, long after we had hoped to be enjoying our dinner, Martin slipped on a treacherous section of trail and fractured his foot.  We could not know the extent of his injury at this time, but his immediate swelling and bruising was a telltale sign it was serious.   The decision was to push on and we slowly made our way down the trail until we found a small stream less than a mile from the Wild River Campground.  It was a long day and we decided to camp there and assess our situation.   The next morning Russ and Dan hiked to the Wild River Campground, planning to drop their packs, complete the loop and return to the campground with cars to pick us up.   Martin and I hiked the remaining trail and river crossings to the Wild River Road.   We had walked only 10 minutes down the road when Russ and Dan pulled up in their cars.   A good Samaritan had driven them back to Gorham (we were in Maine) to get their cars.  This good luck saved us a full day of waiting for them to hike another 12 miles and return by car.

After picking up our cars we all had a bite in Gorham and hit the road back home and to the emergency room for Martin.

Martin took it like a champ and endured a lot of pain to be able to hike out on his fractured foot.  Hopefully, he will have a speedy recovery and we will try this one again.  

The Wild River Wilderness, in northeast New Hampshire, was designated by Congress as "Wilderness" in 2006.  Logged for many years and then burned by wildfires in 1903, the forest has reclaimed its former footprint between the Wildcat-Carter and Baldface ranges and is the second largest roadless area in New England.   The “Moriah Loop” will be a scenic, 3-day, 2-night, 24-mile hike through this, once again pristine, remote wilderness of regenerated forests, mountains, deep swimming holes, cascades and rivers.  

Day 1, we will first climb Mount Moriah (4049’), ascending 3250’ over 4.5 miles, via the Carter Moriah Trail and then will continue to Shelburne-Moriah (3735’).  From the exposed summits there are 360-degree views, including the Presidential Range, the highest peaks in the White Mountains, in the distance.  Day 2, we descend to the Wild River for a trek through the heart of the Wild River Wilderness, making some stops to swim and explore the Moriah Brook Gorge along the way.  Looping back on Day 3, we follow the seldom used Moriah Brook Trail to ascend back to ridgeline and the Carter Moriah Trail. 

Campsites will be by water sources on the Shelburne Trail, below 1800’ (Day 1) and then on the lower half of Moriah Brook Trail (Day 2). 

Total cumulative elevation gain and loss will be 5800 feet.

We will follow all White Mountain backcountry camping rules and regulations and “Leave No Trace” practices.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5363715.pdf

Itinerary:

Friday, August 5th: Meet at Stony Brook Trailhead at 8:30 AM sharp to spot a car or alternately leave a car.  There is a 1.3-mile road walk to Carter Moriah Trailhead if we have less than 2 cars.

Sunday, August 7th: Return to cars at Stony Brook Trailhead by late afternoon.

All participants must come prepared for strenuous physical activity including, rock scrambling, navigating unmaintained, lightly blazed trails, climbing over blowdowns, bushwhacking, river crossings & boulder hopping and possibly muddy or submerged trails. 

Equipment and Provisions: Gear and provisions are required for 3 days, including seasonally appropriate, layered clothing for changeable White Mountain weather conditions.  

Backpack, 3 season backpacking sleeping bag or quilt, sleeping pad, backpacking tent, tarp tent or bivy sack, 10 + essentials for hiking, filled water bottles (3 liters), water filtration or purification, backpack stove, cookware and utensils, bear bag / rodent proof food bag, provisions for 3 days/2 nights, trail snacks, headlamp, layered clothing for expected conditions and rain gear, water shoes, personal items (suntan lotion, insect repellent, hair product).  Sharing of gear (stoves, fuel, water treatment and tents) is suggested. Keeping required gear streamlined will result in a more pleasurable trip. Please contact trip leader for questions and a detailed gear list, if required.

Water: There are no water sources for the first 9 miles until we reach the top of the Shelburne Trail.  It is recommended to tank up before departure and then carry 3 liters of water from starting point.  Water is expected to be available at each campsite and on route after the top of the Shelburne Trail.

More details to follow by early summer.  Please contact trip leader for any questions. A forecast of heavy rain or apocalypse will cancel.