State: New Hampshire
Location: White Mountains National Forest
Length, One-Way: 3.5 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 934 feet
Maximum Elevation: 3127 feet
Elevation Change: 2200 feet
Best Season: May to October
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy
Parking: White Mountains National Forest Fee Site.
Trail Information
The Stony Brook Trail leads from New Hampshire Route 16 near Gorham to the Carter-Moriah Trail between Mount Moriah and North Carter. It is mostly easy walking and probably the most popular day hike of Mount Moriah, although there is significant elevation gain due to the low starting elevation. Most of the trail is enjoy with a gradual ascent until it approaches the terminus.
From the parking lot, the Stony Brook Trail immediately crosses a bridge over Stony Brook and continues up the far side, crossing another stream over a small gorge. The trail follows an old woods road then suddenly turns right and crosses Stony Brook again, this time without a bridge. The trail climbs to reach another woods road at 0.8 miles and turns left.
The trail continues up this road which becomes steeper and fainter. At 2.3 miles, there is another brook crossing and the trail ascends to the col between Mount Moriah and North Carter at 3.5 miles, where it ends at the Carter-Moriah Trail. The junction with the Moriah Brook Trail is just to the left. The summit of Mount Moriah is 1.5 miles to the left on the Carter-Moriah Trail.
Directions
From Gorham, NH:
Drive south for 1.8 miles on New Hampshire Route 16 to the parking area on the left just south of the Peabody River Bridge. The parking lot is plowed in winter.
From Interstate 93:
Take exit 35 off of Interstate 93 near Franconia Notch. Drive 13 miles north on US Route 3 to New Hampshire Route 115. Turn right on Route 115 and follow for about 10 miles to the end at US Route 2. Turn right on US Route 2 and drive 14.5 miles to Gorham town railroad station. Turn right on New Hampshire Route 16 and drive 1.8 miles south to the parking area on the left just south of the Peabody River Bridge. The parking lot is plowed in winter.
