Trails Used

Gunstock Mountain Trail, Brook Trail, Saddle Trail, Blue Trail, Carriage Road

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were dry amd dusty in places. Gunstock Mountain Trail continues to see heavy erosion expanding in the steep areas. Hazy views today due to Canadian wildfire smoke although it was clearing as I finished my hike. Mostly cloudy and breezey with temps in the 80s

Parking

Room for a few cars outside the hate on Carriage Road. I was the only one there this afternoon

Water Crossings

None

Wildlife

Not too bad thanks to a good breeze

Trails Used

Ledges-Iron Mine Trail, Marges Trail, herd paths, Ridge Trail, ski trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were fairly dry with minimal mud. Hazy, humid morning with temperatures in the 70s. Happy 250, America!

Parking

Only one other car this morning.

Water Crossings

None

Wildlife

A few black flies, but not bad if moving.

Trails Used

Gunstock Mountain Trail, Winter Shortcut, Brook Trail, Saddle Trail, Blue Trail, Carriage Road

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were still wet/mucky in places from the rain earlier this week, and are probably wetter now after last night's rain. Partly sunny afternoon with temperatures in the upper 70s.

Wildlife

Minimal if moving.

Trails Used

Blue Trail, Saddle Trail, Brook Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were fairly dry this morning, but a lunchtime thunderstorm moistened things. Partly sunny morning with temperatures in the 60s.

Parking

Carriage Road gate closes at 6PM.

Water Crossings

Minor

Wildlife

Occasional mosquito and deer fly, but not too bad.

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

Brook Trail, access road

Trail Conditions

Notes

Bottom of the Brook Trail has signs up ("Trail") for a temporary relocation along ski trails for the first tenth or so of a mile, but I had no issues using the actual trail (seems like they've finished work on resurfacing the initial 100 yards before the foot trail departs into the woods). Trails were fairly dry this morning (before forecast rain), but there was some mud at a few of the ski trail crossings. Access road down the ski trails was in good shape (heavy equipment not operating today). A few violets in bloom, but otherwise did not see much in way of wildflowers. Cloudy morning with temperatures rising to about 70F.

Parking

Plenty of room at Gunstock ski area.

Water Crossings

Bridged or rock hoppable.

Wildlife

Not bad if moving.

Trails Used

Ledges-Iron Mine Trail, herd path, Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were mostly dry this afternoon. Unfortunately there are prominent herd paths developing on the Ledges Iron Mine Trail that will likely cause significant damage over time (erosion, trail creep, loss of delineating trees) if they are not discontinued. Lift construction continues on the summit, but the ziplines are operating. Cloudy afternoon with a breeze and temperatures in the lower 60s.

Parking

Plenty of room this afternoon.

Water Crossings

None

Wildlife

Surprisingly minimal

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

Ridge Trail, ski trails

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were wet this morning from this week's monsoon. Lots of running water and some muck, but not terrible. Beautiful summer-like morning with temperatures in the 60s. Stark change in weather, after the first half of the month has been more than 3 degrees colder than average.

Parking

Plenty of room at Gunstock ski area today, but there were a lot of cars (fishing event?)

Water Crossings

None via this route.

Wildlife

Surprisingly none.

Trails Used

Access road

Trail Conditions

Notes

Access road up the ski trails was damp this morning with the light rain following yesterday's rain. Snow was plowed off the road, so it's fairly smooth sailing. Looks like the longest stretch of snow remaining is on Hot Shot (narrow, but seems like enough to link some turns together). Cloudy morning with some wind and temperatures in the 40s.

Parking

Plenty of room at ski area, but spots near the access road are being used to stage lift construction.

Wildlife

None for now.

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.

Trails Used

Ledges-Iron Mine Trail, Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trails were generally dry with a cpuple.areas of minor mud. Only snow that remains is at the top of Gunstock on the ski trails, no traction needed. The oak leaves made for a few slippery areas so watch your footing. Partly cloudy with a steady, gusty wind with temps right around 50.

Parking

Room for about 5 cars at the trailhead on Belknap Mountain Road.

Water Crossings

None

Wildlife

A few things buzzing around

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.

Trails Used

Ledges-Iron Mine Trail, Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Snow from early in the week is still hanging on as of this afternoon, making things sloppy. Some bare ground down low and on a south-facing switchback, but otherwise there was generally an inch of wet/sticky snow, generally on top of no base. There was enough patchy blue ice higher up that light traction should be carried for when this snow melts. Due to the lack of snow on this side of the mountain, snowshoes are superfluous unless we have a snow storm of significance. Partly sunny afternoon with temperatures around 50.

Parking

No issues (not plowed during the winter, but snow has melted).