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

Boulder Loop, Belknap Range Tr, Quarry Spur, N. Straightback Link, Dave Roberts Quarry,,Belknap Range Tr (Red and Blue), Brook

Trail Conditions

Notes

Epic training day on such a lovely mostly gentle trail. First time doing this 9-peak circuit. A great way to get the legs in shape for bigger and better peaks.

Parking

Got the next to last space at Mt. Major lot at 10:15 am.

Water Crossings

Brook’s tiny brooks were fine

Wildlife

Not yet

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Red

Trail Conditions

Notes

Saw 2 groups of 2 people each in the first hour and none the rest of the day. The Red perimeter trail at GSR is about 9.25 miles as a loop.

Parking

NA

Water Crossings

All but one quite easy, and the crossing at the Blue/Red junction is getting easier.

Wildlife

NA, but it was in the 30s when we started.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Mack Ridge, Klem-Mack, Red Trail (South)

Trail Conditions

Notes

Great day to be out. Saw one group of 4 happy people at the top of Klem and no one else the rest of the day.

Parking

The access road into Hidden Valley has recently been regraded!

Water Crossings

All easy

Wildlife

None. (That will change very soon.)

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

East Gilford Trail, Round Pond Trail, Piper-Round Pond Link, Mt. Klem-Mt. Mack Loop, Mt. Klem Summit Spur, Dave Roberts Quarry Trail, Round Pond-Mt. Mack Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

This was a very enjoyable hike. The weather, which was cloudy and drizzly in the morning, became sunny and a very pleasant temperature during the day. Not a whole lot to report - no snow or ice sighted anywhere, and there were a few muddy areas but the mud was avoidable. A few rock ledges were wet and slippery, particularly on DRQT between Klem and Rand. The best part of the hike is that Beverly finished her Belknap 12 on Mack today! Congratulations!

Parking

Three vehicles in the five-car lot on Wood Rd. when we arrived around 9:45 - we were the fourth. When we got back, our car was the only one left in the lot, but there did appear to be a hiker who parked at the corner of Bickford Rd and Route 11A. There seemed to be space for parking along Route 11A there, and we didn't see any No Parking signs there, however it would add a few tenths in each direction to the hike. A better option would be to park at the Gunstock ski area if visiting Belknap Mountain or Round Pond, and Reed Road Trail if visiting Klem, Rand, and Mack.

Water Crossings

Everything was either extremely minor or had a bridge.

Wildlife

We did see a few. They're starting to wake up.

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.