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A steep path up Mount Moosilauke lined with cascades.


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Map Key

6.9

Miles

11.1

KM

Out and Back

4,806' 1,465 m

High

1,871' 570 m

Low

3,082' 939 m

Up

3,082' 939 m

Down

17%

Avg Grade (10°)

81%

Max Grade (39°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

Open year round. $5 forest service fee paid at a self-service kiosk at the trailhead.

Overview

This strenuous route is a New Hampshire classic. Though incredibly strenuous, especially at the start, this route exemplifies everything that a tough, New England hike should be.

Description

The Beaver Brook Trail begins with a steep climb alongside the Beaver Brook Cascades. There are occasional stairs and hand rungs, but most of the first mile is unassisted 34% grade with no switchbacks and steep drop-offs. At the top of the cascades is a shelter put together by the Dartmouth Outing Club that offers fantastic views of the Franconia and Kinsman Ridges.

From that point, the trail softens to a much more manageable 13% grade through a stunning evergreen forest. The last quarter mile of the trail is above tree-line, and visitors will move almost imperceptibly onto the Benton Trail for the last push to the top. The summit has incredible 360 views of New Hampshire and Vermont.

Flora & Fauna

The trail is mostly in evergreen forest, but it offers excellent views of the deciduous forests down below. The trailhead is by a pond in Kinsman Notch, and animals are often seen there.

Contacts

Shared By:

Alex Weech with improvements by Liz and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 14 votes

#791

Overall
  4.7 from 14 votes
5 Star
79%
4 Star
14%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#11

in New Hampshire

#791

Overall
15 Views Last Month
3,670 Since Mar 11, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
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88%
12%

Photos

View of the Moosilauke summit from along the trail.
Mar 11, 2016 near Lincoln, NH
Approaching Moosilauke Summit
Apr 23, 2015 near Lincoln, NH
Right near the shelter/porter potty on the Beaver Brook Trail up Mt Moosilauke.
Jun 29, 2021 near Lincoln, NH
Nearing the end of the tree line for the Beaver Brook Trail on Mt Moosilakue.
Jun 29, 2021 near Lincoln, NH
Trail leading back into the treeline.
Sep 5, 2016 near Lincoln, NH
Summit in the distance.
Sep 5, 2016 near Lincoln, NH

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 9, 2022
Louis Leeper
Oct 8, 2021
Ei Co
Sep 18, 2021
Selene Berube
AMC
Jul 24, 2021
Zhejian Ji
6h 50m
Jan 4, 2021
Lora Doerfer
Aug 8, 2020
Nagarjuna Manchineni
A good hike First 1.5hrs of the trail is the steepest. It becomes tricky when there is water dripping on the rocks Today rocks are completely wet — 4h 00m
Jul 18, 2020
Chi Wang
6.9mi — 4h 25m
Sep 29, 2019
Cindy Gu
It is very hard for beginners. Trails are very rocky and can get slippery after raining. However, the view at the summit is amazing! It's 360 degree — 8h 30m
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