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)

 

[helmethiker]

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.

Which parking area and what route did you use? My interpretation is that summer conditions means that the slick was water not ice, correct? I had thought of Monadnock tomorrow Monday 25 November 2024, but today it is white. Wachusett, Watatic and the Pack Monadnocks are not white.

 

[DayTrip]

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)

Thanks. Awhile back I had researched a route in the center of the range which after some research yesterday is apparently known as the "Inner 6". Looks like a lot of options to detour off of it and check out other stuff. I'll probably add Mount Major to this loop if time allows. I was going to park at the Reed Road parking lot (which is called The Steinwachs Trailhead for some reason in GAIA).

On a side note, isn't the Mount Major Trailhead closed? I thought there was some sort of major reconstruction project going on mentioned a few months ago in another post here. Is it done?

EDIT: Apparently the Mount Major Trailhead has reopened, which everyone other than me probably already knew.... https://www.forestsociety.org/property/mount-major-reservation

 

[sierra]

Thanks. Awhile back I had researched a route in the center of the range which after some research yesterday is apparently known as the "Inner 6". Looks like a lot of options to detour off of it and check out other stuff. I'll probably add Mount Major to this loop if time allows. I was going to park at the Reed Road parking lot (which is called The Steinwachs Trailhead for some reason in GAIA).

On a side note, isn't the Mount Major Trailhead closed? I thought there was some sort of major reconstruction project going on mentioned a few months ago in another post here. Is it done?

EDIT: Apparently the Mount Major Trailhead has reopened, which everyone other than me probably already knew.... https://www.forestsociety.org/property/mount-major-reservation

Reed rd is a good place to start for sure. It does not get plowed out, so it's considered a seasonal lot. The Inner 6 is a popular combination. Once summer tourist season is over, I start a lot from the Mt. Major lot. By taking the boulder loop trail, you avoid the crowds heading up Major. I swing off the back of the summit and head for Straightback which is a very pleasant approach. From there you can add on whatever you feel like., than I swing back and take the Brook trail back to the Major lot.