| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Gunstock Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ledges-Iron Mine Trail, Ridge Trail, Marge's Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, November 12, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Small lot on Carriage Mt. Rd. above/past the elementary school but before the Carriage Mountain Rd. split. Holds 5-6 cars. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
none except a tiny rivulet halfway on Marge's Tr |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Well-blazed - thank you! -with two interpretative signs about the iron mine. But be on the lookout for the double yellow blazes descending Ridge Tr. from the summit, to make the left for Marge's Tr. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
saw a few at the top - always a good dog trail |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Thank you, Ken MacGray, for posting this hike on the Belknap Range Hikers FB group and at this forum on 11/8. I had no idea this relatively recent addition of conservation land existed, and that its two "new" trails featured three viewpoints. At an estimated 3.0 miles/1250' gain it's a lovely, quiet alternative to Gunstock Mt. Trail (orange trail). The first ledge at about 0.4 mi from the trailhead had a surprisingly lovely view west/north including Franconia Ridge, Osceola and the Tri's where we basked in sunshine on both ascent/descent. While Ken did a clockwise loop ascending Marge's Tr and the Flintlock Ski Tr (which per his pics had a nice view), we continued up Ledges-Iron Mine to the two mine sites, then to the Ridge Tr for what we estimated was about 0.25 mi past the winter cutoff/Gunstock Mt. Tr to the summit. With zero winds and brilliant skies we lingered for 45 min. at the Panorama Pub porch chatting with a local who'd done lots more of the Belknaps trails than we have, and bonding over love of hiking. Upon descent on Marge's Tr there's another decent viewpoint.
A few icy spots particularly on Ridge Tr -minor but may increase with freeze/thaw cycle. Also the heavy leaf cover can be slippery. Saw only one other hiker on this trail although there were 3 other cars in the lot when we left. Snowmaking is underway but wasn't on today, and there was no snow at the Gunstock summit per se, so it was an easy up on the rock steps except for a little ice.
Unfortunately the ski resort installed two big signs for Gunstock and the bike-rental business on the Panorama Pub porch, making it near impossible to take a decent pic with the Whites in the background and without the ski garbage in the field. (although the trees to the left are obscuring it anyway). |
|
 | Name: |
TwinMom+1 |
|
 | E-Mail: |
mk@mkmarinac.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-11-13 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
