Got off to a normal start, putting on my last pair of dry socks for a few miles of comfort before they too were soaked through. The trail went straight up Mount Moosilauke.
I was optimistic since I had seen a few sun beams poke through the clouds. However as I made my way up that feeling quickly vanished. The well drained trails at the base turned into rocky streams and soon I began to see snow on the ground.
Eventually I reached the region where the trees grew shorter with increased elevation. Once they are below 8ft tall you are considered "above the treeline" and camping is forbidden (for safety). The snow was only getting deeper.
Eventually I reached the elevation where trees no longer grew and was blasted with cold, rainy wind while I marched across unstable snow. My thermometer read 1°C. This description from one of the mountains nearby captures my experience accurately.
Current Conditions As of 5/25/2025 at 4:41am, the current temperature is 33.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Trails are wet and slippery, with mud in spots. As you ascend you'll find a mix of fresh snow/slush, bare wet rocks, significant running water ("is this the trail or a stream?") and undercut, rotten snow. Areas above treeline have received 12+ inches of snow and sleet in the last two days, meaning ankle-to-knee-deep slush, snow, and ice on summits.
I did not take any photos up there because the rain was coming in sideways and I had my hands full trying to stay upright in the snow and wind. From looking at the map earlier I knew the summit was a short trek so I pushed to get over it and back below the treeline quickly. By the end my shoes, legs, and gloves were soaked through which was very uncomfortable but also made standing still dangerous. I made my way down the mountain at the fastest safe speed I could muster. This was not very fast because it was incredibly steep.
My original plan for the day was to hike over the next peak as well, but after that experience I wasn't going back up a mountain without, at the very least, my rain pants. Luckily I caught a couple of hikers from Quebec on their way out and bummed a ride to the hostel I planned to stay at for the next few days: The Notch
A short day, but draining, and honestly I was happy to make it off the mountain unscathed. Other hikers at the hostel were waiting out the bad weather and I'm effectively doing the same with my time off.