Belknap Mountain

Today's plans changed last minute.. which is totally fine. So I figured I would work on my redlining of the Belknap Region. It's been snowing/raining off and on all week, so I was a bit hesitant on which trails to tackle for fear of ice. I knew it wouldn't be completely awful, but I also know there is quite a bit of rock ledge on some of those trails, so even minimal ice can be tricky. I decided on Belknap Mountain ascending via the Blue Trail and descending via the White Trail. This would complete my redlining of the trails that actually take you directly to the Belknap summit. I had read in a recent trail report that the gate on Carriage Road was closed, and likely to remain that way indefinitely as there is a dispute over some contracts with the gatekeeper volunteers.. I was bummed as I had hoped the gate would be open and I could park in the upper Carriage Road parking area. The road walk isn't my favorite. Upon arrival, the gate was in fact closed. So, I got myself ready and headed on up the road. Ironically, 2 electrical contractor trucks went through the gate and drove up. I briefly considered sticking my thumb out and hitching a ride ;) There were a lot of busy brooks and cascades along the road which made it pleasant. All the rain lately has made these very active. Finally reached the parking area and headed for the little 0.1 mile trail called Wayne's Way, which takes you from the parking lot to a lovely overlook.. Ideal for those folks who don't want to hike for some gorgeous views! I then headed for the Blue Trail and was met with lots (and lots) of mud and water and leaves and general muck. I had expected this and wore my Winter hiking boots as I knew my feet would stay dry even if I had to trek through some water.. which I did.. and they did! I ascended the Blue Trail up to the junction with the Saddle Trail and Overlook Trail, took the right and kept on the Blue Trail up to the summit of Belknap. I wasn't going to climb the fire tower as it was fairly breezy.. but I did and was thankful as the views were quite clear. I then descended via the White Trail which I really enjoyed.. a nice combination of woods and rock ledges. I started to get a bit too confident with my pace and took a nice slide down one of said rock ledges.. that always seems to happen in slow motion, I felt it happen the moment I put my foot down. I landed on my butt, which is well padded so nothing worse for wear. I then cautiously continued and passed a gorgeous overlook, particularly of Piper Mountain. Made it back to the Carriage Road and continued back to my car. I'm now 52% complete on my redlining. I shall now think of it as "the home stretch"! 

Strava Activity

Wayne's Way

view from the overlook along Wayne's Way

Today = Blue up and White down

The only real water crossing

Junction with Saddle and Overlook trails

staying on Blue and heading for Belknap

no complaints on trail markings here

looking back over to Gunstock

Looking down the White Trail from the fire tower

junction with East Gilford Trail

the worst patch of ice encountered.. avoidable with care

looking over to Piper Mountain

staying on White.. I'll be back to do Orange

The start of White (or the end in my case)

back to the Carriage Road

the start of White Trail from the Carriage Road

Mt Rowe & Gunstock

Spring hiking can be tricky. Snow, ice, mud, animals coming out of hibernation, cold, hot.. you name it, any number of obstacles can prevent a Spring hike from being enjoyable. But we still do it. Because we love it. Today, I took the chance and headed out to Gilford. I was surprised to learn the Gunstock ski area had already closed for the season (since I know they make snow), and took the risk that the snow/ice situation would be manageable. I pulled in to virtually an empty parking lot. There is quite a bit of construction occurring around the resort, so other than the workers there, I only saw 1 other car with a gentleman preparing for a hike himself. Having already achieved my BRT Hiking patch, I'm now working on "redlining" the area. Redlining officially exists in the White Mountains and is defined as "The term red-lining comes from the days when people marked each route they had hiked on a map, using a red pen. Most red-liners now track their progress on computer spreadsheets. But the practice is about much more than keeping a list." I have since seen the term used here in regards to the Belknap Range, so have taken it upon myself to work towards 100% achievement. I'm all about patches ;) So, today I hiked up the Ridge Trail to Mt Rowe, which is essentially an access road to the cell tower. There are no views at the actual summit, but a few tenths of a mile beyond the summit, ledges open up to some beautiful views over the ski trails and Lake Winnipesaukee. A bit different than when I was there a few weeks ago with Vanessa. That's what I love about visiting peaks in various months of the year.. might be the same mountain, but the view can be completely different! From Mt Rowe, I continued on the Ridge Trail.. took a quick side trip down the Benjamin Weeks trail for redlining purposes (having completed the rest of that trail a few weeks ago, I just needed the final 0.2).. and finally up to the Gunstock summit. I had read trail descriptions of the Ridge Trail meandering and switchbacking up to the summit.. it sure did, at times it felt like you were in the middle of nowhere.. and at other times the trail paralleled the ski trails, which was unique! Within about 0.5 mile of the summit, the ice became more prevalent, but thankfully with care it was avoidable. I had the summit to myself. Odd to be up there with absolutely no one around. Like a ghost town. I descended via the Brook Trail, which was not my favorite. It was icy, it was choppy, it was messy and muddy.. but at times it was completely fine as well. Spring hiking at its best. The trails are relatively well marked in the region, only a couple times on the Brook Trail did I have to look around for the next blaze to be sure I was headed in the right direction. It crosses ski trails, I think 4 times.. which was a bit confusing, but I always found the next blaze within a few moments. As I completed the Brook Trail, oddly the gentleman I had seen at the start also popped out back in the carpark.. but I hadn't seen him at all the rest of the time, so I'm not sure where he had been. Overall, a gorgeous day to be out enjoying nature's best.

Strava Activity

The Ridge Trail aka access road up Mt Rowe

Unexciting summit of Mt Rowe

Finally onto trail and into the woods

Ridge Trail on the way to Gunstock from Mt Rowe

If you like science..

view from the ledges near Mt Rowe summit

The intersection of the Ridge Trail with the Mt Rowe trail

Today I'm taking the Ridge Trail

Looking back to Rowe from the col on the way to Gunstock, soon I imagine this view will be filled in with green

I've made it to the ski trails

Thankfully this was alongside the trail.. but remnants of Winter still around

For redlining purposes, I took 0.2 of the Benjamin Weeks trail back to the North Spur intersection to complete the Benjamin Weeks Trail

found this neat little view heading up the Ridge Trail

Intersection of Ridge Trail and Gunstock Mountain trail

more ice on the Ridge Trail

View from the Panorama Pub atop Gunstock Mountain

View from the Panorama Pub atop Gunstock Mountain

looking right into the sun

With the snow banks, it was actually a bit hairy making the descent onto the Brook Trail

This was about the extent of the Brook Trail I enjoyed

my goal became to make sure it took me less than 90 minutes.. took me about 55!

One of the ski trail crossings

Love my Salomon Toundra's, especially on water crossings like this.

Redlining on Mt Rowe

Vanessa and I did a little more redlining on Mt Rowe today. Parked at Gilford Elementary. Took the Mt Rowe Trail to Benjamin Weeks Trail. Followed Benjamin Weeks Trail to North Spur Trail. Met up with Ridge Trail to summit. Back down Mt Rowe Trail to the car. Perfect Winter hiking day. No wind, relatively mild temperatures. Lots of mixed terrain from packed snow base (just a couple inches), to ice, to bare ground, to mud. Wore microspikes the whole way and had no issues. Actually took them off on Ridge Trail as ground was mostly bare, what little snow/ice there was, was easily avoidable. Perfect views from ledges before summit. Water crossings were OK, frozen enough to rock hop or jump across.

Strava Activity