Trails Used
Piper Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were mostly dry this afternoon. A few ripe blueberries, but not too much remains. Cloudy (from the wild fire smoke), hazy, humid afternoon with temperatures in the 80s.
Parking
Parked outside of the Carriage Road gate (limited space before the No Parking signs).
Water Crossings
Bridged
Wildlife
Minimal
Trails Used
Whiteface Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were mostly dry this morning. A few wood lilies in bloom up on the ridge. Some ripe blueberries as well, but not a huge crop visible. Beautiful sunny weather with reduced humidity and temperatures in the 70s.
Parking
Limited room at the turnaround; have a backup hike.
Water Crossings
Fairly low; easily rock hopped.
Wildlife
A few, but not bad if moving. A few areas with tall grass, but surprisingly didn't pick up any ticks.
Also on this trip
Trails Used
Piper Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link, Whiteface Mountain Trail, Herd Path, Snowmobile Trails, Road Walk
Trail Conditions
Notes
Made a nice loop up these two peaks with a side trip to the cliffs. Then for a change of pace we took the snowmobile trail back down to the end of Bleknap Mountain Road and walked the road back to Carriage Road parking. Trails were generally dry with areas of mud throughout. The snowmobile trauls were pretty muddy. Lots of recent Mountain bike traffic on the Piper Mountain Trail where it is posted No Bikes. Sweating rocks made for some slippery footing on some of the ledges. Some blueberries are turning ripe and we were able to snack on a few. Mostly sunny hot and humid with temps pushing 90 by midday and a light breeze.
Parking
Room for several cars at the gate. Not too many people out today
Water Crossings
A few easy hops
Wildlife
Not too bad. We did have several ticks from the brushy/grassy areas on Whiteface.
Trails Used
Piper Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were damp with some dry areas as well as the occasional mud. Some wet ledges but all wete avoidable on dry areas. Mostly cloudy and windy with temps right around 70
Parking
Room for several cars at the gate on Carriage Road
Water Crossings
Bridged
Wildlife
Not bad thanks to the windy conditions
Trails Used
Whiteface Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were mostly dry this afternoon, prior to the evening's storm. Noted what looked to be motorized bike tracks on the Piper-Whiteface Link, which are not allowed. Warm afternoon with hazy skies and temperatures well into the 80s.
Water Crossings
Fairly low
Wildlife
Not too bad
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
Piper Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link, Old Piper Trail, White Trail, Carriage Road, Herd Path
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were dry ahead of the rain forecasted for later today. A few patches of mud that were avoidable. Came across 7 mountain bikers today, 4 descending the Piper Mountain Trail(posted "no bikes") and 3 coming up the White Trail. Decent views given the cloud cover this morning. Cloudy with temps right around 70 and a gusty wind.
Parking
Nearly full this morning
Water Crossings
Bridged or easy hop
Wildlife
Minimal due to the wind
Trails Used
Piper Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link, Old Piper Trail, White Trail, Carriage Road
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were fairly dry this afternoon with minimal mud. Sunny, summer-like afternoon with temperatures around 80F.
Parking
Carriage Road gate closes at 6PM. No issues finding a space this afternoon.
Water Crossings
Bridged
Wildlife
Not too bad.
Trails Used
Whiteface Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were wet with lots of wet, slippery ledge. Water running down the trail in areas. Ledges were trying to dry out in spots. I was able to avoid most of the wet areas without issue. Cloudy with temps in the mid 50s and more rain coming this afternoon.
Parking
Room for several vehicles at the end of Belknap Mountain Road
Water Crossings
It was up a little but still an easy hop
Wildlife
Minimal today
Trails Used
Whiteface Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were mostly dry this morning. Beautiful, crisp air with temperatures in the lower 50s.
Water Crossings
Rock hoppable
Wildlife
Minimal this morning
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
Piper Mountain Trail, Old Piper Trail, White Trail, Carriage Road
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were very wet from a thunderstorm that rolled through early afternoon. Even some pea sized hail remained on the ground in spots. Ledges were wet and slippery with lots of running water. Carriage Road was wet but in good shape.
Parking
Room forns several cars at the gate on Carriage Road
Water Crossings
Bridged
Wildlife
Black flies were swarming on the Piper Mountain Trail. Once on the summit and over the other side, there was a nice breeze that kept them away.
Trails Used
Whiteface Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were mostly dry with some minor mud. Purple violets in bloom. Warm afternoon (before the rain moved through at dinnertime) with temperatures around 80.
Parking
Limited room at the turnaround with no overflow.
Water Crossings
Rock hoppable
Wildlife
Picked up one tick.
Trails Used
Piper Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were damp from the rain this morning. Some areas of mud but nothing too significant. For all the cars parked at the gate, I only saw a few people all afternoon. The sun started to poke out but clouds won out. Was cool and windy all afternoon.
Parking
Room for several cars at the gate on Carriage Road.
Water Crossings
Bridged
Wildlife
None today
Trails Used
Piper Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link, Old Piper Trail, White Trail, Carriage Road
Trail Conditions
Notes
Piper Mountain, White Trail, and Carriage Road were snow/ice free. There were some small patches of ice on the Old Piper Trail from the cold nights, but not enough to justify traction. Some minor mud on the Piper Mountain Trail. Sunny afternoon with temperatures around 50.
Parking
Parked outside gate. Gate is open daily now until 6PM.
Water Crossings
Bridged
Wildlife
None yet.
Trails Used
Whiteface Mountain Trail, Piper-Whiteface Link
Trail Conditions
Notes
Trails were fairly dry this morning, but there was some black ice on a few of the ledges heading up Piper. One tiny patch of legacy snow on the ridge. Brisk morning with blue skies and temperatures in the upper 20s.
Parking
Limited room at the turnaround. Have a backup hike.
Water Crossings
Rock hoppable
Trails Used
Piper Mountain Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Most of the snow is gone but there are some remaining patches of ice in the usual locations. Be careful!
Parking
Plenty of parking at the gate on Carriage Road
Water Crossings
Bridged