Mossy Glen (Randolph, NH): A Marvelous Mini-Adventure!

After doing some errands a few days ago, I had enough time left over for a marvelous mini-adventure to Mossy Glen.  This spot is a small gorge on Carlton Brook which is located just 0.2 mile north of Durand Road in Randolph, NH.

This location is exquisitely described in Chapter 12 of a book entitled "50 Hikes North of the White Mountains" by Kim Nilsen.  I don't know how durable the Internet link might be, but as of the writing of this Blog report, Chapter 12 of Kim's book can be accessed online by clicking HERE.

There are several trail combinations that can be used to access the gorge.  I parked at Appalachia, walked across Rt. 2 to pick up the Bee Line, and then followed the trail combinations that are highlighted in yellow on the map that is presented below.  This was a 2.2 mile loop hike.

Map showing my route.  (It's just one of many route combinations that can be used.)

From the very beginning of this mini-adventure, there were nice views to be had at Durand Lake.  The next two photos show a couple of these views.

View from Durand Lake looking southward toward the Presidential Mountain Range

View from Durand Lake looking eastward toward mountains in the Gorham area

Shown in the next two photos are a couple of the more prominent features at the Mossy Glen Gorge.  The first snapshot was taken looking down at the Mossy Glen cascade from the Bluffway trail.  And the second photo shows the reproduction of a Nepalese Bridge which crosses Carlton Brook via the Groveway trail.

Looking down at Mossy Glen Cascade from the Bluffway

Reproduction of a Nepalese Bridge which crosses Carleton Brook

You might also want to include a short side trip to the site of the old Ravine House.  You can do this by walking along Durand Road for a few hundred feet westward beyond the point where the Bee Line enters Durand road.

The next two photos were taken at the Ravine House site.  The first snapshot shows the historic marker, and the second photo shows the view that guests at the Ravine House would have seen from this boarding house.

Historic marker at old Ravine House site

The view that guests would have seen from the Ravine House

Just a side note, you'll see from the map shown above that I used the Glenside and Burnbrae Path as part of my loop.  This was done purely because I had never hiked that particular segment.  It would make more sense to use the Groveway trail since it takes you by a scenic natural amphitheater along Carleton Brook.  The Randolph Mountain Club often holds events at this location.

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