Jan 30

Jan 30 Ultrarunning on Mount Moosilauke x2 - White Mountains, NH

Despite the quarantine of 2020, I was still able to find some new ultra-running destinations. However, I definitely did not expect to get back to one of my favorite places, the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I was working in the manufacturing sector and had essential business in the town of Hanover, NH. This was fortunate since I always like to run when traveling on business, so I figured that if I flew in on Saturday there would be fewer people in the airports, and that would also allow me to get into nature on Sunday.

A friend of mine happened to txt me out of the blue and I let him know I was travelling to Hanover, NH, which was very coincidental. He went to college at Dartmouth so is very knowledgeable about the area. He gave me a few ideas about running trails within Hanover and also about Mount Moosilauke, sometimes known as Dartmouth’s Mountain. He also gave me several recommendations for places to eat.

I woke up early on Sunday morning and headed north to Mount Moosilauke on I-91. It took about an hour door to door, but be sure you get there early because there is little parking. Given the quarantine, and the cold weather for the day, I was fortunate not having to deal with a large crowd. I wanted to run all day, so I planned for a long ascent via the east side of the mountain, then a descent down the west side. However, I was feeling so good, and the day was so amazing, I couldn’t stop running once I came down the first time. Even though it was getting late in the day, I took the center trail up with the sharpest angle to the peak. I am glad I did since on the second summit I briefly got the mountain top to myself since earlier in the day it was very crowded. The view from the top is simply amazing since you are above the treetops and can see for miles. The frost also left some very interesting shapes on the trees and rocks.

If you are in Hanover, NH or the surrounding area, I highly recommend a trip over to Mount Moosilauke for your next ultra-running destination. Be aware the cell phone service, at least with Verizon, is non-existent for nearly the entire time off the highway to the mountain. The only place I could pick up a signal was at the very top of the mountain.

Great places to eat and pick up snacks!

Frazer’s Place - A little out of the way, but authentic good comfort food eats
Four Aces Diner - So good I went twice!
Stinson’s - Where to get all of your snacks, water, and beer