States
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New York
Rhode Island
Vermont
View All
Lists
NE 4,000 Footers
NE 100 Highest
NH 4,000 Footers
NH 52 With A View
NH Belknap Range
NH Ossipee 10
Explanation of Ratings
Links
Ossipee Mountains Notice
Search
Trail Conditions
Trip Log
About
Gilmanton, NH, Gilford, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Gunstock Mountain Trail
Our original plan had been to do a snow-free hike down in the Blue Hills of Massachusetts. The weather forecasts all agreed that this would not be a good idea, however, so we decided to move our venue a bit to the north.
Starting on the Gunstock Mountain Trail, we had snow-free hiking for the bulk of the ascent. As we neared 2,000 feet, however, we encountered ice and increasing amounts of snow. Arriving at the summit, we had cloudy skies with decent views - snow capped peaks including the Presidentials and Franconias jumped out in the distance.
Our next stop we Belknap Mountain. The trails in between were a bit tricky, with constant ice and snow monorail. The views from the summit fire tower were good, though limited to the south and west. While windy on the tower, things were calm enough at the base of it for a leisurely lunch.
Our final stop of the day was Piper Mountain. My first time on the White Trail (other than the top portion), I was surprised by the multiple ledge viewpoints along the way. We left it awhile later, talking the Old Piper Trail to the top of the ridge, then working our way over the mostly bare ledges to the highpoint. Near the highpoint, we had nice views toward Lake Winnipesaukee.
The first portion of the descent on the Piper Trail was a bit tricky due to ice, however things went a bit more smoothly as we dropped in elevation. Though the forecast called for decreasing clouds, we still had full cloud cover overhead by the end of the hike. It did not rain, however, making the relocated plan a success!
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Gunstock Mountain Trail trailhead on the Carriage Road
Looking at the Sandwich, Presidential, and Ossipee Ranges from Gunstock Mountain
The Saddle Trail on the way to Belknap Mountain
Looking at the Sandwich, Presidential, and Ossipee Ranges from the Belknap Mountain fire tower
The White Trail between Belknap Mountain and Piper Mountain
Looking at Lake Winnipesaukee from Piper Mountain
Back to Gunstock Mountain Profile
Back to Belknap Mountain Profile
Back to Piper Mountain Profile
www.FranklinSites.com