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We continued following the Moosilauke Carriage Road uphill, with occasional glimpses back to the southeast. As we got a bit higher, we could also see, in the distance, the fir trees that dotted the summit cone coated with rime and snow.

After passing the barricade that's supposed to keep snowmobiles from continuing up to the summit, it wasn't long before we reached the junction with the Glencliff Trail. This trail approaches the peak from the southwest and is also the Appalachian Trail's route up the mountain from the south. We stopped here for a short rest and a long snack. I could hear the wind higher up and didn't anticipate spending a long time at the summit, so I ate a whole power bar and some potato sticks. I gave Muffin a second serving of dog food.

Soon after our leaving our rest stop, the Carriage Road emerges out into the scrub, and we begun our final approach up the summit cone. The trail twists and turns its way up and though the rocks and dwindling patches of scrub, finally breaking out into the open a short distance from the top.

We plodded on with the wind at our backs. Then almost before I knew it, we had reached the summit itself! The signs up there were thoroughly plastered with rime and snow, and the wind howled around us. Even through my windproof Gortex jacket, I could feel the effects of the increased wind-chill just outside the meager protection of its thin shell. A patch of wind-driven freezing fog alternately enveloped and then uncovered the top of the mountain, but it was too cold and gusty to appreciate any fleeting views of the world beyond.

Muffin headed directly for the relative shelter of the remains of the Tip-Top House foundation, preferring it to the blast of the "jetstream" on the totally exposed summit rocks. But who can blame her? I took a few pictures and we were on our way back down, hopping over the rocks directly into the wind, and looking forward to returning to the sheltering scrub below.

Looking up the Moosilauke Carriage Road, not long before reaching the snowmobile barricade.

Muffin near the junction with the Glencliff Trail. We stopped her for a short rest and snack. I could hear the wind higher up and didn't anticipate spending a long time at the summit.

Glencliff Trail junction. This trail approaches the mountain from the southwest, and is also the route of the Appalachian Trail.

Approaching the summit. Soon after passing the junction with the Glencliff Trail, the Carriage Road emerges out into the scrub, and we begun our final approach up the summit cone.

Summit cone. To the left, you can see the prominent line of the Carriage Road, twisting and turning its way up to the summit.

Getting closer. The Moosilauke Carriage Road here passes though a final patch of scrub before breaking out into the open.

Summit signs. The strong winds and freezing fog have plastered the signs here with snow and rime.

Muffin at the summit. She preferred the relative shelter of the remains of the old Tip-Top House foundation to the open windy summit. Who can blame her?

Self-portrait at the summit. The wind was blowing directly in my face and I was in a hurry to finish the picture and get out of there.

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