Home in the Range (The Belknap's).

[sierra]

The Belknap range is what I consider my Home Range. I can leave my house and be on a trail in an hour. It's a place where I don't track any hikes, I just go to hike and relax with my dog. Friday was my only day off, so I took slept in and hit the Naps. Gunstock/Belknap/Piper a nice three peak loop, that is one of my favorites. Still summer conditions, rain made all the slabs and rock slick, but I stayed on my feet and enjoyed the solitude that inclement weather and stick season can bring.

 

[DayTrip]

Still haven't made my way to the Belknaps yet. But they're "on the list"....

 

[DayTrip]

The Belknap range is what I consider my Home Range. I can leave my house and be on a trail in an hour. It's a place where I don't track any hikes, I just go to hike and relax with my dog. Friday was my only day off, so I took slept in and hit the Naps. Gunstock/Belknap/Piper a nice three peak loop, that is one of my favorites. Still summer conditions, rain made all the slabs and rock slick, but I stayed on my feet and enjoyed the solitude that inclement weather and stick season can bring.

Are all the roads/trailheads year round or are there seasonal closures? Where do you recommend parking at this time of year for reliable access and likelihood of getting a parking space on a SAT?

Also, are these actual trails or the forest road type trails like the Ossipee Range?

 

[sierra]

Are all the roads/trailheads year round or are there seasonal closures? Where do you recommend parking at this time of year for reliable access and likelihood of getting a parking space on a SAT?

Also, are these actual trails or the forest road type trails like the Ossipee Range?

Some of the parking lots do not get plowed in the winter, there is still good access to the range, but not from every summer trailhead. The Range is made up of trails and one thing to note, they are extremely well blazed and signed, I mean you will not find a better marked trail system in the state. The Tote roads in the Ossipee Range are quite unique and not replicated in the Belknap's. The major trailheads are the Mt. Major trailhead, Gunstock ski area, Alton Mt Road off route 11, Wood rd. near Gunstock ski area (although that doesn't always get plowed out if ever), The Griswold scout reservation area access's a lot of the inner trails, the Carraige road off Belknap mt road (the Carraige road itself is closed for the winter). Local library's like in Laconia sell maps that cover the range , you can also order through the Lakes Region Conservation Trust which puts out a waterproof map in color that is the one I carry. (lrct.org)