| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Gunstock Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ledges-Iron Mine Trail, Ridge Trail, Marge's Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
At a new trailhead off Belknap Mtn. Rd. in Gilford, just north of Hoyt Rd. When leaving the parking area, watch for a dip when pulling out onto Belknap Mtn. Rd. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
These new trails are blazed well but are not signed anywhere. The names come from the map at the trailhead kiosk and the Lakes Region Conservation Trust website. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Spent the morning checking out two new trails on the west side of Gunstock that begin at the John M. & Eileen R. Weeks Conservation Area.
Ledges-Iron Mine Trail starts as a woods road up to an outlook known as Sunset Ledge, which has an expansive 180-degree view to the west. The trail switches to a footpath here, coincides with Marge's Trail, then the trails diverge 0.1 mi. above the ledge. Ledges-Iron Mine Trail passes the old 1827 iron mine that is indicated on the old Dave Roberts map of the Belknaps. Pretty cool spot. A steep climb above the mine leads to Ridge Trail, 0.25 mi. NW of the Gunstock summit.
Marge's Trail leaves Ridge Trail 0.55 mi. N of the Gunstock summit, crosses the right-of-way of the original 3,000-ft. rope tow on Gunstock, then continues down to meet Ledges-Iron Mine Trail 0.1 mi. above Sunset Ledge.
Always great to see new hiking trails in the Belknaps, and this route makes for a nice 2.8 mi. loop over Gunstock that completely avoids the ski area approaches. Thank you to Gilford Conservation Commission and Lakes Region Conservation Trust for their work on these trails! |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-11-09 |
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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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