Icicles Hang from Rocks on Little Moose Mountain
Little Moose Mountain is a favorite snowshoeing trip for Frosty and me. Every time we go the snow conditions are different, but it is always fun and challenging (especially at the end before our turn around spot). Our last trip was on March 11th.
Frosty Snowshoeing up Little Moose Mountain
We got an early start and drove up to the Greenville area to the Moose Mountain Inn. We parked in the lot adjacent to the inn. There is a sign next to the trailhead.
Whenever we are on this trail in the winter, we seem to be breaking trail. Last winter we came here three weekends in a row and each time it snowed during the week. Sometimes, there are some tracks at the very beginning of the trail. On this day, the snow was moderately heavy/wet, and I sunk quite a bit leading the way.
Ice on the Rocks at Little Moose Mountain
I love the viewpoints along the way on this trail. They look out over different directions. These vistas make my soul smile. I love a good view! The windstorm this fall has blown some trees/branches across the trail. In at least one spot, a blazed tree was knocked over. It could be tricky in a few places to find the trail. But if you are snowshoeing in the mountains in the winter, you are probably a trail whisperer like Frosty.
This trip was particularly interesting because there were lots of animal tracks. I love seeing animal tracks in the snow. We saw squirrel, rabbit, and coyote. The snow was so deep the coyote’s body left a continuous trail snaking through the snow. If you looked down into the coyote trail, you could see the footprints. The coyote seemed to be following a rabbit/rabbit tracks. For quiet awhile, the coyote’s path followed and crisscrossed the hiking trail. We never got to see any animals though.
Coyote Trail
It was windy in exposed places, and we only had a couple of peaks of sunshine. As we got closer the summit, there were beautiful ice-covered cliffs with some hanging icicles. This section is steep and definitely takes an effort to get up. But it was easier than some of our trips. One time last winter there was lots of ice under the snow. The snow would shed off as you stepped leaving the ice. That was a lot more of a challenge. I always feel good after working to get up something.
Coyote Track
The trail doesn’t go to an actual summit. But you come to a sparsely wooded area with a view. Many of the trees here look shorn off at the top. The trail keeps goes on after this spot. It goes down to a pond, but this is where we turn around.
Frosty on Little Moose Mountain
The down was pretty easy. The thick snow would stop up your snowshoes eventually. It was a great day out on the trail!
Our mileage for this trip was 4.14 with an elevation gain of 966 feet according to my Garmin. Little Moose Mountain is the mountain formerly known as Little Squaw.
Winter adventures always seem to involve playing the layers game. As the temperature, wind, sun, and activity levels change layers need to be added and removed. So we try to be prepared with our clothing. You don’t want to get too hot and sweaty, but you don’t want to get chilled either.
Gear Used:
Frosty:
Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Poles, Limmers, LL Bean gaiters, Darn Tough Socks, Tubbs Flex NRG, LL Bean Mittens, My Trail Co Backpack Light 50L, LL Bean wool shirt, 1/4 zip wool shirt, Stormy Kromer The SK Outfitter Vest, Buff merino wool neckwear, Buff ThermoNet hat, Johnson Woolen Mill Worsted Wool Pants, and Aloha Eyewear Stone Creek MX1 Men’s Wraparound Bi-focal Sunglasses
Magoo:
Stormy Kromer Ida Outfitter Vest, Buff merino wool neckwear, LL Bean hat, Apana running mittens, Darn Tough socks, LL Bean AT 38 Day Pack backpack (the link is the updated version of Magoo’s pack), merino wool leggings, Layer 8 wind pants, Cabela’s Women’s Ultimate Lightweight Merino shirt, Kodenor trekking poles, Kamik Greenbay 4 Boots, LL Bean US ski team headband, OR gaiters, and Women’s LL Bean Packaway Mittens
