2,770 ft | Moat | 0 routes
As of October 16, 2026
Trail conditions on South Moat Mountain are currently rated Moderate. At 8:40 PM ET it was 53°F at the summit (2,770 ft), feeling like 46°F, with WSW winds at 13 mph. See the hour-by-hour South Moat Mountain weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Feels like 46°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Mid-October conditions with only 11 hours of daylight, a wet trail from recent rain, and a sharp cold snap arriving Saturday with a high near 36°F and a low of 27°F. Sunday looks drier and milder, making it the better hiking day, with an early start still advised given short days and cold overnight lows.
The summit is roughly 770 ft above the trailhead and runs about 2°F cooler, but wind increases notably with elevation, dropping wind chill to the mid-20s. Start with moderate layers, add a shell and insulating layer before reaching the open ledges, and bring gloves and a hat for the summit.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday, starting early in the morning and finishing well before the early evening sunset; drier and milder than Saturday. Saturday is workable only with an early, well-equipped start and attention to icy spots.
Last synthesized Oct 16, 8:40 PM 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: Moat Mountain Trail, Attitash Trail, road walk, Bartlett Experimental Forest trails, road walk, Mt. Tremont Trail, Brunel Trail, Sawyer Pond Trail, forest roads, Sawyer River Trail, Hancock Notch Trail, NH 112, Greeley Ponds Trail, Mt. Osceola Trail, Tripoli Road, Mt. Tecumseh Trail, XC ski trails
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“This is a full report from the Jigger Johnson 50, which took place starting on August 15th, and was a point-to-point trip from the Moat Mountain trailhead on Passaconaway Rd. to the village of Waterville Valley. Trails were relatively dry, which made the Attitash Trail much more pleasant- the most likely places to get wet feet were the Hancock Notch Trail and the Greeley Ponds Trail. Even the swamp just west of the Big Attitash summit had enough logs and tree roots above the mud level that you could theoretically get across without submerging (I wasn't dexterous enough to fully accomplish this). Dry rocks also made the going much easier descending from North Moat, Mt. Osceola, and Mt. Tecumseh. We were treated to relatively temperate weather and partly cloudy skies- perfect conditions to abuse ourselves over 61.1 miles with 15,900' elevation gain. Many thanks to all of the random hikers who cheered us on and blatantly lied by telling us how strong we looked! :) Excruciating details- in keeping with the spirit of the race- on Unnecessary Climb!”
Trail: Moat Mountain Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail
“Beautiful Day.....probably my 20th summit of S Moat. Always a great hike and view for the effort”
Trail: Moat Mountain Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail
“Hot day. Hazy views.”
Planning a hike here? Add it to your hikes and, with Trailblazer, we'll email you new trail reports before you go.
Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
Paid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
25°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 25°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
10h 52m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 5:56 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
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.
Located in the Moat Range of New Hampshire's White Mountain region near North Conway, this 2,770-foot summit offers a rewarding outing for hikers seeking open ledges and panoramic scenery without committing to a full alpine objective. The trail features rocky terrain and some sustained climbing that earns its Difficult rating, rewarding hikers with excellent above-treeline ledge exposure near the summit. Views stretch across the Saco River Valley toward the Presidential Range and the dramatic cliffs of White Horse and Cathedral Ledges. As part of the 52 With a View (52 WAV) peak list, it attracts peakbaggers drawn to its impressive summit vistas relative to its modest elevation. The Moat Range setting gives this peak a distinct character, sitting apart from the higher Whites while delivering genuinely scenic, open ridgeline hiking that outperforms its elevation on the views-per-foot scale.
Elevation
2,770 ft
Range
Moat
Difficulty
Difficult
Coordinates
44.0175, -71.1935
Been to South Moat Mountain?
Be the first to share your experience!
AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
7.8 mi away
2 incidents on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
74-year-old male hiker from Sandwich, MA
Richard Crooks, 74, began experiencing severe cramps in his legs and arms while returning from the summit of South Moat Mountain on September 26, 2025. His hiking partner attempted to rehydrate him for nearly an hour without success before calling 911, with the pair located over two miles from the trailhead. Rescuers carried Crooks out in a litter; he arrived at the trailhead shortly after 9:00 p.m. and was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in North Conway.
53-year-old woman from Conway, NH
Elaine Merrill, 53, of Conway, NH, slipped and fell on the South Moat Trail, injuring her ankle and rendering her unable to bear weight. She called 911 at approximately 1:30 p.m. and was reached by Conservation Officers and Lakes Region Search and Rescue Team shortly after 3:00 p.m. She was carried to the trailhead, arriving at 6:35 p.m., and then transported to Memorial Hospital in North Conway.