Meeting Time: 10:30 AM
Event Coordinator: GandalfMax # People: 12
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level:
Moderate
SUMMARY: Join us for a late winter hike traverse of 3 peaks in the Belknap Range! It will be an easy pace covering 4-1/2 miles with 1700 feet of gain. We'll cross over Gunstock (2250'), Belknap (2382') and Piper (2044') Mountains and enjoy some great views over the Lakes Region of NH. A fire tower on Belknap and cleared summit of Gunstock, as well as numerous scattered ledges, provide fine views of Lake Winnipesauke, the Ossipee and Sandwich ranges, and Mt. Washington! This is a loop hike going up Gunstock Mountain Trail, taking various trails on the ridge with descent by Piper Mountain Trail. Grades are steady and occasionally steep! Microspikes should be sufficient but if there was a recent snowstorm, then we'll need snowshoes. This MODERATE hike should take about 4 hours round trip so we’ll start at 10:30AM. We’ll have lunch on top of Gunstock Mountain Ski Area and we can even buy a beer inside the Panorama Pub. What to wear/bring: Microspikes are required but we may need snowshoes if there has been a recent snowstorm. We may not need snowshoes at the start so you should be prepared to strap your snowshoes onto your pack using bungy cords. Wear warm clothing suitable for the summit(s)...no cotton or blue jeans. You should also have insulated winter boots suitable for the season. Bring water, lunch, snacks and anything else you may require for a winter day hike.
Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at: Join us for a late winter hike traverse of 3 peaks in the Belknap Range! It will be an easy pace covering 4-1/2 miles with 1700 feet of gain. We'll cross over Gunstock (2250'), Belknap (2382') and Piper (2044') Mountains and enjoy some great views over the Lakes Region of NH. A fire tower on Belknap and cleared summit of Gunstock, as well as numerous scattered ledges, provide fine views of Lake Winnipesauke, the Ossipee and Sandwich ranges, and Mt. Washington! This is a loop hike going up Gunstock Mountain Trail, taking various trails on the ridge with descent by Piper Mountain Trail. Grades are steady and occasionally steep! Microspikes should be sufficient but if there was a recent snowstorm, then we'll need snowshoes. This MODERATE hike should take about 4 hours round trip so we’ll start at 10:30AM. We’ll have lunch on top of Gunstock Mountain Ski Area and we can even buy a beer inside the Panorama Pub. What to wear/bring: Microspikes are required but we may need snowshoes if there has been a recent snowstorm. We may not need snowshoes at the start so you should be prepared to strap your snowshoes onto your pack using bungy cords. Wear warm clothing suitable for the summit(s)...no cotton or blue jeans. You should also have insulated winter boots suitable for the season. Bring water, lunch, snacks and anything else you may require for a winter day hike.