Trails Used
Mt. Rowe Trail, Yellow Trail, Ridge Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were try mid-morning, as the light rain wasn't coming down at enough of a pace (yet) to make things too wet. Precip was forecast to pick up later in the morning. Cloudy morning with light rain and temperatures in the lower 50s.
Parking
Plenty of room at Gilford Elementary School
Water Crossings
Rock hoppable
Wildlife
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.
Trails Used
Ridge Trail, Bushwhack
Trail Conditions
Notes
LRSAR Spring Training event today. Search scenario ascending through the woods to the summit and then returned via the Ridge Trail. Trail was dry with some minor mud at the watebars. Sunny and warm with temps in the upper 70s and light breeze
Parking
Plenty of room this morning at Gunstock
Water Crossings
None
Wildlife
Black flies were rough today
Trails Used
Ridge Trail, Bushwhack
Trail Conditions
Notes
LRSAR Spring Training event today. Search scenario ascending through the woods to the summit and then returned via the Ridge Trail. Trail was dry with some minor mud at the watebars. Sunny and warm with temps in the upper 70s and light breeze
Parking
Plenty of room this morning at Gunstock
Water Crossings
None
Wildlife
Black flies were rough today
Trails Used
Ridge Trail, Bushwhack
Trail Conditions
Notes
LRSAR Spring Training event today. Search scenario ascending through the woods to the summit and then returned via the Ridge Trail. Trail was dry with some minor mud at the watebars. Sunny and warm with temps in the upper 70s and light breeze
Parking
Plenty of room this morning at Gunstock
Water Crossings
None
Wildlife
Black flies were rough today
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.
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.
Trails Used
Mt. Rowe Trail, Yellow Trail, Ridge Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were damp this morning before the steady rain arrived. Wet ledge from the lighter earlier rain. As previously noted, snow/ice melted earlier this month. Raw morning with temperatures in the 40s.
Parking
Plenty of room at Gilford Elementary School
Water Crossings
Rock hoppable
Wildlife
None 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.
Photos
Log in to view
Trails Used
Mt. Rowe Trail, Yellow Trail, Ridge Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
What a difference a day makes. A coating of an inch or two of sticky snow throughout from today's storm. A little bit of slush up high and a few wet ledges. The ground isn't frozen, so I suspect the snow will be gone before long. Snowy afternoon with temperatures in the 30s.
Parking
Plenty of room at Gilford Elementary School this afternoon.
Water Crossings
Rock hoppable
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
Mt. Rowe Trail, Yellow Trail, Ridge Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
This route is essentially snow/ice free (two tiny patches that will likely be gone in a matter of hours). Some minor mud, but nothing too bad. Did not see any ice visible on Winnipesaukee. Gunstock ski trails still look quite skiable (area closed for the season on Saturday). Partly sunny afternoon with temperatures dropping into the 30s and a few stray snow flakes (ground no longer frozen, so nothing sticking).
Parking
Plenty of room at Gilford Elementary School later this afternoon.
Water Crossings
Rock hoppable
Trails Used
Mt. Rowe Trail, Yellow Trail, Ridge Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Mud from a few days ago was frozen solid this morning. Most of the Mt. Rowe Trail up to the Yellow junction is snow free, as is the Ridge Trail from Yellow to the highpoint. Yellow Trail headwall is also snow free, but closer to the woods road still has consistent ice cover. I was too stubborn to put on spikes and ended up taking a good fall. Moral of the story, light traction still a good idea, even if only for a tenth of a mile. Chilly morning with sunny skies and temperatures in the 20s. Gunstock ski slopes still look to have good cover.
Parking
No issues around 7:30, but Gilford Elementary lot was full an hour or so later (some sort of event).
Water Crossings
Rock hoppable