Winter Hike: Howe, Shelburne Moriah, Moriah

Jeff, John, Michael and I planned on taking a day off to hike Mount Washington on the second day of winter. The forecast showed Mount Washington in the clouds all day with gusty winds from the Northwest, and a some snow and increased winds in the afternoon. So we switched up our plans and did Mount Moriah via a Howe Peak bushwhack and over Shelburne Moriah Mountain. The weather and views weren’t great but I knocked off a New Hampshire 200 Highest, two trails red-lined, a new section of the AT, and got Mount Moriah for my December Grid and New Hampshire Winter 4000 Footer list.

ROUTE

Left vehicle at Rattle River Trail parking off Route 2 in Shelburne, NH
Parked at Shelburne Trail North parking off Conner Road in Shelburne, NH
Hiked up Shelburne Trail to intersection with Kenduskeag Trail
Bushwhacked east to Howe Peak and back
Turned right on Kenduskeag Trail over Shelburne Moriah Mountain to intersection with Carter-Moriah Trail
Turned right on Carter-Moriah Trail to Moriah spur trail
Turned left on Moriah spur trail and climbed to Mount Moriah summit and back
Turned right on Carter-Moriah Trail back to intersection with Kenduskeag Trail
Turned left on Kenduskeag Trail and returned to intersection with Rattle River Trail
Turned left on Rattle River Trail and hiked down to parking lot