The Wild River

We did this hike back in August and after a few weeks of just not having the time to finish it and then a few more weeks of a broken computer, we’ve finally come around to publishing it!  Enjoy!

On that weekend we ventured to find Moriah Gorge on the Wild River Trail.  We parked at the USFS Wild River Campground off the Wild River Road in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  This is the same place where we started our Blue Brook hike last year.

The trail begins behind the kiosk at the parking lot and travels next to the pit toilets down to a small stream and then follows the Wild River.  Damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Sandy can be seen along the bank of the river and on the trail.  The weather was beautiful the day we hiked and several groups were picking their favorite swimming and sunning spots out on the river rocks.

The Moriah Brook Trail

At a junction with the Wild River Trail we took the Moriah Brook Trail that crosses over the Wild River.  The old suspension bridge made Andrew nervous to cross it, but Alden loved the view of the water up and down the river.

Andrew hesitates before going out on the suspension bridge.

Alden and Lindsay on the bridge.

After the bridge we quickly came to the Wild River Wilderness sign and had to stop for a photo-op.

Family photo at the Wilderness sign.

The trail easily makes its way through the woods, over an old landslide to the head of Moriah Gorge.  You can hear the waterfalls within the gorge before you can see it.  There were some kids climbing through the gorge with fishing poles looking for the perfect fishing hole.  We stopped for a break and diaper change (for Alden that is) while Andrew explored the gorge.

Lindsay and Alden pose at a stream crossing.

Moriah Gorge

The trail continues across the river, but we didn’t continue on and instead turned around and walked back down the trail.

Andrew’s turn to carry Alden back down the trail.

Andrew and Alden on the suspension bridge.

The gorge has much more to offer than can be viewed easily from the trail, but takes a daring soul to negotiate the steep slopes and sheer ledges in order to view it’s dramatic course. This was Lindsay’s first visit, but for Andrew it was his third. He recounted a story of a glorious solo outing when he camped a couple nights at the Wild River Campground and rode his bike up into Evans Notch and night hiked to the gorge while keeping his flashlight in a pocket for the whole trip as he easily felt his way. We’ll definitely return so Alden can make the trip on his own two legs.