Tunnel Brook is a lush, steep-walled valley on the west side of Mount Moosilauke (4802′). Seldom visited by day hikers, it’s a quiet and secluded place to observe wildlife and witness the avalanche and flash flood damage that Moosilauke and neighboring Mount Clough (pronounced Cluff) experience during major rainstorms and hurricanes. This loop hike climbs one of Moosilauke’s many sub-peaks, Hurricane Mountain (3015′), before heading up the Tunnel Brook Trail where there are excellent dispersed camping opportunities. It climbs to a protected point just below the Moosilauke summit on the pretty Benton Trail before climbing to the summit sign. From the summit, the route visits Moosilauke’s popular South Peak (4523′), before returning to Dartmouth’s Ravine Lodge at the beginning of the loop.
White Mountain 4000 Footers
- Moosilauke (4802′, 10th highest in the AMC 4000 footer list)
- South Peak, Moosilauke (4523′, not on the AMC 4000 footer list)
Rating
B4 - Toggle Open for Key
Distance
A: Less than 15 miles in distance
B: 15-20 miles
C: 20-25 miles
D: 25-30 miles or less
E: more than 30 miles
Elevation Gain
1: 3000 ft or less
2: 4000 ft or less
3: 5000 ft or less
4: 6000 ft or less
5: over 6000 ft
Distance/Elevation Gain
18.6 miles w/5200′ of cumulative elevation gain
Recommended Duration
2-3 days
Season
mid-June thru October
Permits Required
None.
Regulations
Backcountry Camping Regulations for the White Mountain National Forest.
Camping is prohibited on Mt Moosilauke east of the Appalachian Trail, except at lean-tos. This includes the Hurricane Trail, the Carriage Road Trail, the Beaver Brook Trail, and the Glencliff Trail on land which is owned and maintained by Dartmouth College. It’s ok to camp 200 ft off the Tunnel Brook Trail and the Benton Trail, per the regular White Mountain National Forest Backcountry Camping regulation linked above.
Parking/Trailhead Directions
Ravine Lodge Rd. (unpaved) leaves NH 118, 5.8 miles east of NH25, outside of Woodstock, NH and 7.2 miles west of NH 112, outside of Warren, NH. Parking is prohibited in the last 0.2 miles of the Ravine Lodge Rd. which is reserved for lodge guests. Hikers should park in the west side of the road, south of the service road that diverges left 1.4 miles from the intersection of NH118. Dartmouth has also added additional diagonal parking spaces closer to NH 118 that may be used by the public. Ravine Lodge Rd. is closed in winter to vehicle traffic.
Maps
The Appalachian Mountain Club publishes the best maps for the White Mountains and I’d recommend buying the complete AMC White Mountain Waterproof Map Set. It contains three waterproof maps (2 regions per map) although you only need carry one or two on any trip. I also use GPS apps for navigating, but these maps contain relevant trail, shelter and topographic information that is often not included in electronic maps. More detailed trail descriptions can also be found in the AMC White Mountain Guide, which is considered the hiking bible for the region. It includes detailed driving directions to remote trailheads and is indipensible for navigating to them, especially when you're out of cell tower range. Take photos of the pages you need using your phone for easy reference, instead of carrying the entire book with you on hikes.Navigation Apps
I also recommend purchasing a GPS Phone App such as Far Out's White Mountain National Forest Guide, which lists most of the trails, trailheads, shelters, campsites, views, and water sources in the White Mountains National Forest. GaiaGPS is another GPS Phone App, which is stronger in terms of topographic map coverage for the White Mountains but does not have as much information about trailheads, shelters, campsites, views, and water sources. I use both frequently.Trail Sequence
The route follows the following trails in sequence.
- Gorge Brook Trail- 0.5 miles
- Hurricane Trail – 4.3 miles
- Glencliff Trail (AT) – 0.4 miles
- High Road (paved) – 100 yards
- Forest Road 19 – 0.4 miles
- Tunnel Brook Trail – 5.2 miles
- Benton Trail – 3.2 miles
- Beaver Brook Trail – 0.4 miles
- Carriage Road Trail – 2.1 miles
- Snapper Trail – 1.1 miles
- Gorge Brook Trail – 0.8 miles
Scenic Highlights
The following list provides cumulate distances on the route to each view or landmark.
- Hurricane Mountain Viewpoint – 3.2 miles
- Mud Pond – 6.7 miles
- Beaver Ponds – 7.5 miles
- Little Tunnel Ravine Outlook — 12.1 miles
- Moosilauke Summit – 14.6 miles
- Moosilauke, South Peak Summit – 15.5 miles
Camping/Shelter Options
- Dartmouth College’s Ravine Lodge ($), open to the public
- Beaver Brook Shelter (on the AT, free)
- Jeffers Brook Shelter (on the AT, free)
Water
Natural water sources are plentiful in the White Mountains although you may need to descend to them from ridgelines along side trails if you run short. In any case, carry a detailed topographic map with you and don’t rely on the overview map provided with this trip description to find water sources.
I also recommend purchasing the WMNF Pemigewasset Map in Guthooks Guide’s New England Hiker Smartphone App (IOS, Android) which is a GPS guide to all of the trails, trailhead, shelters, campsites, views, and water sources in the White Mountains National Forest. I use it all the time and it is much more complete and current than using the maps bundled with the Gaia Smartphone App.
On the Trail
The Gorge Brook Trail
The Gorge Brook Trail begins at the end of Ravine Road just beyond the turnaround area. Follow the signs to the Gorge Brook Trail, passing near the Ravine Lodge cabins, and crossing over a rocky stream, until you see the sign below. The Hurricane Trail forks left shortly after it.
Hurricane Trail
The Hurricane Trail heads south along the east side of Moosilauke, within earshot of the rocky stream below. The trail climbs gently before curving back down to streamside, passing several swimming holes that you might want to revisit at the end of your trip. This stream has its origin two miles upstream in one of Moosilauke’s western ravines. Downstream, it widens into the mighty Baker River, which flows into the Pemigewasset River near Plymouth, NH
The trail veers away from the stream and climbs gradually for 1.0 mile until it reaches a junction with the Moosilauke Carriage Road. The carriage road was originally used to transport guest to a hotel which was opened on the Moosilauke Summit in 1860 but burned down in 1942. It’s a backcountry ski trail in winter, while its above-treeline section is frequented year-round by hikers and backpackers.
The Hurricane Trail joins the Carriage Road Trail for 0.3 miles before splitting apart, turning right, and climbing a hill. The trail is blazed in blue because it links the Appalachian Trail (starting at the Glencliff Trail Junction) with Dartmouth’s Ravine Lodge. Despite that, you’re unlikely to meet anyone except the occasional moose bedded down in the moist grass on the east side of the trail.
The trail climbs gradually through open forest to a signed viewpoint in 1.7 miles, over a number of rerouted and expertly reconstructed trail sections. The viewpoint spur trail leads to an open rock ledge with southeast views of the Hubbard Brook Research Area, a research forest operated by the US Forest Service but open to outdoor recreation. There’s excellent backpacking there too.
The Hurricane Trail passes the unmarked Hurricane Mountain summit before descending gradually to a junction with the Glencliff Trail. This section of teh Glencliff Trail coincides with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail.
Glencliff Trail
Turn left from the Hurricane Trail onto the Glencliff Trail and follow it as it passes through an open field.
Bear left down a signed side path towards the Townline Trail and Jeffers Brook Shelter.
The Glencliff Trail ends when it reaches a paved road called High Street, which is also called Sanatorium Road in older guides. Turn left and walk downhill about 100 yards, passing a small wooden bridge (in the weeds) on your right.
Turn right on the first road (unpaved), continuing to follow signs for the Appalachian Trail.
You can ignore the road closed signs, which prohibit vehicles use but not walkers. This is FR 19, also known as Long Pond Road.
Continue past the Forest Service Road 19 sign on your right, passing another sign on your left pointing to the Jeffers Brook Lean-to and tent site (unless you want to camp there.) Hike over a gated bridge and continue slightly uphill, still on the gravel road, for 0.4 miles until you see the Tunnel Brook Trailhead sign on your right.
Tunnel Brook Trail
Turn right onto the Tunnel Brook Trail which follows an old logging road at first, before narrowing.
The Tunnel Brook area is narrow valley between the east side of Mt Clough and the west side of Moosilauke, that gets wider and more open as you travel north. Water is easily accessible for the length of the trail, although the dispersed camping is better on the northern half near and slightly beyond the beaver ponds, where there is a better view of the nighttime sky and the exposed cliffs on both mountains.
At 1.1 miles, the Tunnel Brook Trail reaches a small reservoir used by the Glencliff Home for the Elderly, formerly the Glencliff Sanatorium, which was originally opened in the early 1900s to treat tuberculosis patients. Care should be taken not to pollute the reservoir which is still in use. The trail runs to the left of the reservoir, which isn’t entirely obvious and should probably be better marked.
A series of ponds begins at 2.3 miles, as the valley widens and the views become more open. The trail is marked in places with plastic tape and must be followed carefully around several flooded areas. This a much wilder natural area than many places in the White Mountains and a good place to soak in some solitude if that’s what you’re looking for.
The trail becomes rockier and more wooded as you continue north until you come to an active logging road at mile 4.4. Bear left when you leave the forest and continue 0.8 miles down the grassy and mysteriously mowed lane to the Benton Trail Junction.
Benton Trail
The start of the Benton Trail performs an odd U-turn and leads you back along the direction you just came, before turning toward Tunnel Brook. Ford the stream, which is spanned by rocks if you want to *try* to keep your shoes dry, and begin to climb the trail up the west side of Moosilauke.
The Benton Trail is one of the easier ways to climb Moosilauke, with a gradual incline and soft tread. It’s another trail that you’re unlikely to meet anyone on despite the fact that Moosilauke is one of the most popular mountains on the AMC’s 4000 footer list.
In 1.3 miles, you reach the Little Tunnel Ravine outlook, a cliffside ledge with a great view into one of Moosilauke’s many side ravines. The roaring of Little Tunnel Brook, which runs through the ravine, can be clearly heard below.
When you reach the top of the Benton Trail, turn right onto the Beaver Brook Trail, which also coincides with the Appalachian Trail.
Beaver Brook Trail
The Beaver Brook Trail climbs 0.4 miles to Mossilauke’s summit, breaking into full exposure as soon as you leave the protection of the trees. Moosilauke is often quite windy, so dress appropriately. Hikers are asked to stay on the trail above treeline, which is marked by scree rock borders and large rock cairns. The grass and vegetation on the top of Moosilauke are very fragile and easily damaged if hikers walk over them. The summit area is covered with snow much of the year and damaged plants die because they don’t have enough time to recover before snowfall covers them again.
The Moosilauke summit sign is surrounded by the old hotel foundations and there are plenty of places to sit at the top and admire 360-degree views. On a clear day, you can see Franconia Ridge to the east and the mountains of Vermont to the west.
Carriage Road Trail
The Mossilauke Carriage Trail leaves from the south side of the summit in full exposure but reaches the shelter of Krumholz within 0.2 miles. The trail comes to a junction with the Glencliff Trail in 0.7 miles. Turn right onto the Glencliff Trail for just a few steps, and you will see a small sign on your left for the South Peak Spur Trail.
South Peak Spur
Follow the spur trail for 1/10 of a mile, along a boulder-filled trail, until you reach the large summit cairn on your right.
The South Peak has the best view of the Moosilauke summit and should not be skipped. As you retrace your steps to the Glencliff Trail, you can see glimpses of the Tunnel Brook Valley between the west side of Moosilauke and Mt Clough, far below.
Turning right onto the Glencliff Trail for a few steps, and right again to get back onto the Moosilauke Carriage Road Trail. There are numerous signs to help steer you in the right direction.
Carriage Road Trail
The first thing you’ll notice when you step on the Carriage Road Trail is how easy it is to walk on. While it isn’t paved, it’s much less rocky than the other trails on Moosilauke and easy on the feet. The trail is easy to follow and widens as is loses elevation. In 1.2 miles, you’ll come to a well-marked junction with the Snapper Trail.
Snapper Trail
Turn left onto the Snapper Trail, which descends through open forest and reaches the Gorge Brook Trail in 1.1 miles.
Gorge Brook Trail
Turn right onto the Gorge Brook Trail which reaches the Baker River in 0.3 miles. If you’d like to visit Ravine Lodge for refreshments follow the signs up to the Lodge from the river or continue along the Gorge Brook Trail to Ravine Rd and your car.
About the author
Safety Disclaimer
This trip plan can not alert you to every hazard, anticipate your experience, or limitations. Therefore, the descriptions of roads, trails, routes, shelters, tent sites, and natural features in this trip plan are not representations that a particular place or excursion will be safe for you or members of your party. When you follow any of the routes described on SectionHiker.com, you assume responsibility for your own safety. Under normal conditions, such excursions require the usual attention to traffic, road and trail conditions, weather, terrain, the capabilities of your party, and other factors. Always check for current conditions, obey posted signs, and Backcountry Camping and Wilderness Area Regulations. Hike Safe and follow the Hiker responsibility code.Click for More Free 4000 Footer Backpacking Trip Plans
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Do you like the correspondence of questions? I have a few if permitted,
Go ahead.
This trip is on my short list for July. Can’t hardly wait! Any updates that you’re aware of since this was posted? Thank you!
Nope – trip plan is up today.
Is there any reason not to start at Benton State Forest and head the opposite direction directly up the Glencliff trail? Planning to camp along the Benton or Tunnel Brook trail. Obviously, this would shorten the distance quite a bit.
Guess I’m not following you at all. Can’t imagine how that route jives with this one. Please be aware of camping restrictions above treeline and on the DOC side of Moosilauke. The benton is pretty steep below treeline and water is scarce on the mountain except in the valleys.