| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Belknap Mountain, Gunstock Mountain, Mt. Rowe, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Round Pond Trail, East Gilford Trail, herd path, Blue Trail, Saddle Trail, Brook Trail, Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, October 16, 2015 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at the Gunstock ski area, they are not open yet. Finding the actual start of the RPT took me a little while despite the description in the southern NH guide and I ended up going inside the lodge to ask. Just before you drive into the parking lot are two garages on the left, with signs marking a Segway crossing just before them. That crossing is the start of the trail. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No problems. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All trails in great shape. I met one of the BRATTs who was installing some rock steps near the Belknap/Gunstock col and thanked him for their hard work! Much appreciated! |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Nope. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Some more redlining in the range, with a big loop over Belknap, Gunstock and Rowe, starting and ending at the ski area.
Some early showers as I started, making the ascent to Belknap wet. EGT has some open ledges that were slick from the rain. Found the abandoned truck along the way, and there's a nice viewpoint there as well. Cold and windy atop the fire tower, but the skies cleared for a bit for some sun.
From the Belknap summit, I took the herd path to the plane crash site. The path is marked with some flagging at the start, but then is unmarked (but easy to follow) the rest of the way. Interesting to finally see this. The first time I tried to get there I couldn't actually get down the steep slope to the wreckage due to ice.
From there it was an easy hike over to Gunstock. Views are ok there, but too much stuff on top for my tastes. Didn't stick around long.
I then followed the entire RT over to Rowe. Views from the trail just before the summit, near the seismic station, provide a good vista over to the rest of the range. The walk down the access road from Rowe is pretty awful. :( It would be nice if the RT could be relocated off of this.
Beautiful foliage color in the Belknaps right now! |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2015-10-18 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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