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About


Piper Mountain
Gilford, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Piper Mountain Trail
Looking up the Piper Mountain Trail

Route: Piper Mountain Trail, green blazed trail, bushwhack, green blazed trail, Piper Mountain Trail

With another nice fall day, the Belknaps looked like a good place to hike.

Starting at the Carriage Road gate, we headed up the Piper Mountain Trail. While the trail goes through softwoods in places, there was still plenty of foliage to be seen, especially along the upper ledges.

After reaching the north summit, we continued along the ridge, over the highpoint, and then to the southern ledges, where we had excellent views perhaps all the way to Massachusetts.

Back near the summit, we bushwhacked briefly to a ledge with a good western view. Thanks to some light clouds, the sunset was quite colorful.

For the descent, we were able to make it down the ledges prior to needing headlamps.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: Piper Mountain
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Moderate
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Monday, October 11, 2010
Hike Commenced: 4:27 PM
Parking Elevation: 1,030'
Destination: Piper Mountain
Ascent Commenced: 4:29 PM
Summit Reached: 5:10 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:41
Trailhead Elevation: 1,010'
Summit Elevation: 2,044'
Vertical Gain: 1,064'
Hike Ended: 7:09 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 02:42
Hike Vertical Gain: 1,264'


The Piper Mountain Trail trailhead on the Carriage Road
The Piper Mountain Trail trailhead on the Carriage Road

Looking toward Lake Winnipesaukee from near the Piper Mountain summit - Click to enlarge
Looking toward Lake Winnipesaukee from near the Piper Mountain summit

The sunset as seen from near the summit of Piper Mountain - Click to enlarge
The sunset as seen from near the summit of Piper Mountain




Directions to trailhead: From Route 11A East (from Route 3), take a right on Hoyt Road. Continue down this road as it becomes Belknap Mountain Road. Look for Carriage Road on your left. There is a small parking lot just before the gate. Trailhead is down the road a bit, on the right after a small bridge.

Back to Piper Mountain Profile




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