4,049 ft | Carter | 1 route
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Mount Moriah are currently rated Difficult. At 3:20 AM ET it was 26°F at the summit (4,049 ft), feeling like 13°F, with WNW winds at 20 mph. The listed route, Mount Moriah via Stony Brook, is 9.6 miles round trip with 3,134 ft of elevation gain, taking about 5-8 hours. Mount Moriah (4,049 ft) is #41 of 48 on the NH 48 list. See the hour-by-hour Mount Moriah weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Kenduskeag Trail (3.5 mi) · Carter-Moriah Trail (12.5 mi)
Feels like 13°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.02" (24h) · 0.42" (48h)
Snow: 0.1" (24h) · 0.1" (48h)
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Early-season winter conditions are in place on Moriah, with fresh snow and glaze over wet trails, subfreezing temperatures, fog, and strong gusty WNW winds. The summit is below treeline so exposure is limited, but wind chill near -3°F to 13°F, slick footing, and limited visibility make this a demanding outing. Sunday brings clearer, calmer, and slightly warmer conditions and is the better choice.
Expect trailhead temperatures near freezing but a freezing level that can reach the trailhead, so trails may be wet and icy low down, then colder with snow cover and stronger wind (wind chill near -3°F) approaching the summit. Start with a moderate base layer, carry insulating and windproof layers to add above the freezing-level transition, and keep spare gloves and a hat accessible.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday late morning through early afternoon, when skies are breaking and winds are easing, after an early start with a turnaround well before dark. Saturday is not recommended because of fresh snow and ice, fog, and strong winds.
Last synthesized Oct 17, 3:20 AM ET
Planning a hike here this week?
Trailblazer adds the full 7-day summit forecast, the best day to go for every peak, and conditions for each route up.
Trail: Rattle River Trail, Kenduskeag Trail
Conditions: Mud - Significant
“Nice woods walk to the Rattle River shelter, and for quite a way after that. The uphill starts with nice rock steps. Nothing of not up to the junction. After turning left onto the Kenduskeag Trail the mud starts. There are places where it is quite significant. Also the trail is very overgrown, it felt like a bushwhack. But the views are amazing.”
Trail: Carter-Moriah Trail
Conditions: Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Thank you to the trail crew or sponsor who works on this trail. The upper section has had quite a bit of maintenance done and there weren't any blow downs or obstacles.”
Trail: Carter-Moriah Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“I wasn't sure which trail | was going take to the Mount Moriah this morning, but I reached out to well accomplished White Mountains hiker I’ve met over the years he he suggested Carter-Moriah. Thanks for the excellent suggestion Chad. I'm glad I chose the Carter Moriah trail. Very straight forward and easy to follow. The first 1.5 miles were not difficult or rocky. When you reach Mount Surprise you get a jolt of excitement when you are standing on the open slides viewing the Presidential's. It only gets better on the Summit on Mount Moriah. The trail was dry and ascending, and descending the many rock slide areas other than being steep were very easily managed. However, coming off the summit descending the rocks slides they were a little damp in places. Just needed to slow down and look for good solid footing. There are several trees across the trail, but we're all easily stepped over. One of the best views from the summit of Moriah of the northern Presidential's I've seen. If you like and enjoy open areas slides and some of everything the Whites has to offer this is a great route. Conditions: Bugs, No bugs, Dry ground,”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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19°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 19°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
56 mph
Summit gusts
Waterproof shell
Daytime gusts near 56 mph above treeline, and a shell is what blocks it.
-2°F
Wind chill
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Northernmost Carter-Moriah Range peak with excellent views. Can be done as a long traverse.
Elevation
4,049 ft
Range
Carter
Rank
#41 of 48
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
44.3403, -71.1316
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
4.5 mi away
4 incidents on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
22-year-old female from Kittery, ME
On August 23, 2025, Florence Hunter, 22, slipped while descending Mt. Moriah and suffered a lower-leg injury approximately 4 miles from the trailhead. NH Fish and Game Conservation Officers and volunteers from AVSAR and LRSAR carried her out via litter over roughly 2 miles before transferring her to an ATV for the remaining distance. Hunter refused hospital transport upon reaching the parking lot at 1:00 a.m. on August 24.
Lauren Poole, 33, of Manchester, NH; avid hiker but novice in spring conditions
On March 16, 2025, Lauren Poole became mired in deep, softening snow on the Carter-Moriah Trail on Mt. Moriah, fell multiple times, sustained a leg injury, and became soaked in steady rain. A team of 4 Conservation Officers and 11 AVSAR volunteers reached her at 11:15 p.m. and provided first aid and dry clothing. After navigating swollen brooks, the rescue crew returned her safely to Route 16 at 4:18 a.m. on March 17.
Thomas Damiano, 81, of Homosassa, Florida
Thomas Damiano, 81, became lost near the Highwater Trail in Bean's Purchase after trails were obscured by washouts and severe weather, leaving him fatigued after hours of bushwhacking. Swollen river conditions made self-rescue risky. Conservation Officer Holmes and a volunteer used an ATV, forded the Wild River, and located Damiano near the riverbank, assisting him out safely.
Stephen Fredericks, 49, of Chelmsford, MA
On July 8, 2023, Stephen Fredericks, 49, suffered an unknown medical condition near the summit of Mt. Moriah on the Carter-Moriah Trail, approximately 5 miles from the nearest road. A National Guard Blackhawk helicopter was unable to extract him due to storm cells forming over the mountain. AVSAR volunteers, Conservation Officers, and his eight hiking companions carried him out in a litter, reaching the trailhead on July 9 at 12:35 a.m.