Trails Used

Wayne's Way, Red Trail, Blue Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were mostly dry with only one minor area of mud. Some of the ledge/rock on the Red Trail was a bit slick so use caution, especially if descending. Nice views from Wayne's Way that I hadn't been to since it was cleared last season. Opened up nicely. Views from the tower were a bit hazy and trees are beginning to obscure the view even more. Mostly sunny with temps in the 80s and a light wind.

Parking

Parking lot atop Carriage Road was empty this afternoon. The gate is closed at 6pm daily. Carriage Road is in decent shape.

Water Crossings

Dry

Wildlife

Not bad if moving. A nuce breeze on the summit and in the tower to keep them away.

Trails Used

Carriage Road, herd path, White Trail, Blue Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were fairly dry, despite occasional showers in the region. Some wet ledge. Carriage Road is in pretty good shape. Partly sunny day with occasional showers and temperatures in the 60s.

Parking

Carriage Road gate closes at 6 PM. Please don't park next to the No Parking signs (unless you want to be towed).

Water Crossings

None of significance

Wildlife

Minimal

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Gunstock Mountain Trail Belknap Range Trail, Saddle Trail, Blue trail, White Trail, Old Piper Trail, Piper Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Clockwise loop today, the trail was dry for the most part getting up to Gunstock. Rain was threatening but we headed over to Belknap, stopping part way to put on rain gear and cover our packs. With the cooler temps and the wind we didn't want to get too wet. Lots of other hikers were just going along with t-shirts and shorts though! After the showers, the rocks, roots, and slabs on Belknap were wet but not too slippery. It was drier heading over to North Piper and then pretty good going down to Carriage Road. All in all a really nice hike, 5 mile round trip. One note, watch out for mountain bikers in the Belknaps. We were at the start of the Gunstock Mountain Trail and a guy came barreling down the steps onto the road. I was standing on the road to the right, and didn't see him until he was right in front of me on the steps. Thankfully I was stopped and not starting up the steps. His buddies all slowed down for the intersection.

Parking

The usual parking along the road as the small lot was full when we arrived at 9am.

Water Crossings

Not really a crossing but the big muddy spot on the way down from North Piper has some nice stepping stones now

Wildlife

only a few black flies as we descended around 1pm. The breeze today was helpful!

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Ridge, Saddle, Blue, Old Piper, Red, Overlook

Trail Conditions

Notes

I am seeing a lot more trail damage from tire gouges this year, mostly from bicycles, but some seem to be from motor vehicles--in places where no vehicles are allowed.

Parking

Easy.

Water Crossings

All easy, even with the afternoon rain.

Wildlife

the black flies came out when it wasn't windy or raining, so mostly not at all.

Trails Used

Carriage Road, herd path, Wardens Trail, Red Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were fairly dry, but there were areas of mud and wet rock/ledge as to be expected after all of the rain last month. Sunny, summer-like morning with temperatures climbing into the 70s.

Water Crossings

None of significance

Wildlife

Black flies and mosquitoes, but not terrible if moving.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Gilford Fire Road, Round Pond Trail, Klem-Mack Loop, Piper-Round Pond Link, White Trail, East Gilford Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

A little over 10 miles. start/finish at Wood Rd, head first to Round Pond, then the Klem-Mack loop, and then west on the Piper-Round Pond link to the White Trail up Belknap and then down the East Gilford Trail back to Wood Road's 5-vehicle parking lot. The East Gilford Trail is much easier to follow than it was last year. The trail has benefited from careful attention. The spectacular view looking north near Klem has also seen some recent attention and is looking really great. Because Avenza has essentially disabled free use, today was the first time I used the belknaprangetrails.org map with an app called "Field Maps," which is free, easy to use, and available for both Apple and Android.

Parking

only car at Wood Road lot at start and finish. The lot is well-marked and in fine shape, as is the access trail.

Water Crossings

All easy

Wildlife

Black flies

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Mt. Rowe Trail, Ridge Trail, Brook Trail, Saddle Trail, Blue Trail (Belknap Mtn.), White Trail (Belknap Mtn.), Old Piper Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link, Whiteface Mountain Trail, Vista Trail, Piper-Round Pond Link, Klem-Mack Loop, Mack Ridge Trail, Yellow Trail (Mt. Shannon Loop), Red Trail (to Goat Pasture Hill and Mt. Anna), Belknap Range Trail (to Mt. Major), Boulder Loop Trail, Mt. Major Trail, North Straightback Link, Dave Roberts' Quarry Trail, Boulder Trail, East Gilford Trail, Round Pond Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

This was a 38.8 mile (theoretically; this mileage estimate felt conservative) tour of the Belknap 12, plus a few peaks off the beaten path, with 10,750' elevation gain. The beautiful views from Mt. Major and Gunstock Mtn. are well-known, but the Vista Trail (particularly the open ledges south of Piper Mtn's summit) and Mt. Shannon were scenic highlights- definitely worth visiting. Trail conditions were generally excellent, with less mud than anticipated after heavy rain 2 days prior. Almost all of the rock ledges and slabs were dry, which was a good thing, because a few sections (the Quarry Trail, Boulder Trail and Boulder Loop Trail, the steep descent from the Mack Ridge Trail) might have been hazardous with wet rocks. Aside from the expected crowds near Mt. Major, and a few other hikers on the Belknap Range Trail, there were miles of solitude on my chosen route. Full details on Unnecessary Climb!

Parking

Ample parking at Gilford Elementary School.

Water Crossings

Numerous brook crossings at lower elevations (and when inadvertently taking the Benjamin Weeks Trail on the way down), but all were straightforward rock hops.

Wildlife

Biting flies were out in force once the temperature warmed up (mid-morning)- not a problem when moving, but all over you if you made the mistake of stopping. Also found a hitchhiking dog tick at the end of the day.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Belknap Range Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Perfect day for this annual hike with Chris and Renee. Cool temps all day with welcome sunshine in the open woods. There were just traces of avoidable ice and minimal mud. Wildflowers were beginning to flower and we saw sessile bellwort (wild oats), round-leaved yellow violets, budding red trillium and beautiful sprays of pink and white mayflowers. And a new grandchild joined the world while we were out there. Can't wait to hold you, Claire Maureen Moore!

Parking

Gunstock and Mt. Major lots had many open spaces at 8:00am and 4:00pm

Water Crossings

No significant crossings. Streams were lovely.

Wildlife

Not yet.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Belknap Range Double Traverse

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Last minute attempt decided night before. Chilly weather at start. Carried 1.5L water, finished with 5-6 miles remaining. Consumed 4 gels and expired poptart. Stomach issues in final half. Most vertical in single effort. Beat women's supported FKT by over 2 hours, within 1 hour of men's time.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Belknap Range Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Great day on the trail. Mostly dry conditions and the remaining snow and ice were easily navigated. Quite windy so it was nice to be in the woods for the most part. We sat on the rocks by Round Pond for lunch. It was protected from the wind and just lovely. This is such a wonderful spring hike!

Water Crossings

Easy to rock hop

Wildlife

Still hibernating.