Mount Moosilauke - 12/4/2002

Date(s) Hiked: Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002

Trails(s) Hiked: Glencliff Trail

Total Distance: 10 miles, round trip (up and back)

Difficulty: Moderate

Conditions: Very cold, quite windy, but clear as a bell

Special Required Equipment: Winter clothing, but not crampons or snowshoes

Trip Report: Ascended Glencliff Trail at around 8:20 a.m., reaching the junction that leads to the summit around 11:20. Very chilly walk (well, only when we stopped) with light winds. Leaving the junction, the wind picked up significantly, but the sun was shining, so only the unprotected ascent was particularly fierce, with strong gusts sending us weaving along the trail. Absolutely gorgeous at the summit, especially from the cover of an encrusted boulder (I presume it was a boulder, anyway). Miles and miles of views all around, and only a cloud or two in Vermont. Not to be overly enthusiastic, but a matchless day. On return, encountered two other hikers on the way up, but otherwise not a soul in sight the whole way. Reached the parking lot off Sanatorium Road around 3 p.m.; would have loved to dawdle, but the summit was very cold and work wouldn't wait forever...