THE END: Skiing Black Mountain (Day 46)

Skiing Black Mountain

Sunday, May 17th, 2026

Runs: 5

Distance: 3.49 miles

Elevation: 3,484 feet

Max Speed: 29.2 mph

Avg. Speed: 11.0 mph

Moving Time: 19 minutes, 4 seconds

Total Time: 1 hour, 32 minutes, 20 seconds

I got my three wake-up wraps and hash browns from the Gorham Dunkin and had a beautiful drive through Pinkham Notch, through Jackson, and then to Black Mountain. I was definitely up in my feelings about it being the last day of ski season, but I was excited to get a few more runs in, have glass of champagne, and listen to some live music! Parking was wildly easy with plenty of open spots. The runout was looking actually great! The parking lot was basically a river. I walked inside to get the $29 "I used both of my Indy days" deal and the cashier warned me that there's a rapidly growing dirt patch. I assured her I'm still looking forward to skiing and I had some practice with dirt yesterday at Jay. The vibes at the parking lot were immaculate and I was a little meleancholy that I was riding solo, but it was also nice to end with just-me. I got booted up with my leopard print shorts and scooted my way over to the double!

Snow Report

Sunday, May 17

Closing day is here.

After a record-breaking 7-month season, today marks the final day of skiing at Black Mountain. In 91 years, there has never been a season quite like this one. Black operated more days this winter than the previous two seasons combined, pushed closing day two full weeks beyond last year's record, and will finish tied as one of the final Indy Pass mountains spinning lifts in North America.

We will have a very white, full-width route from the Alpine Cabin spread across four trails, with 100% of open terrain groomed again this morning. By this afternoon, expect soft spring turns, sunshine, and rowdy bump lines everywhere. With temperatures approaching 70 degrees and both the Double and Triple spinning until 7 Pm, today is shaping up to be an all-time closing day.

70s Weekend rolls on with live music all day long. Matt Dolliver plays from 10 AM to 1 PM, Joe Agnello from 11:30 Am to 1:30 PM, Diana'as Bath Salts from 1:30 PM to 4 PM, and the Jonathan Sarty Band takes us all the way to the final chair at 7 PM.

The Alpine Cabin will be fully stocked for sunny champagne and fondue lounging, while the Base Lodge Buffet keeps rolling all day. Pizza, wings, drinks, spring skiing, costumes, and one final mountian party.

Shortly after lifts stop spinning, we'll raise a glass together for the second annual end-of-season champagne toast on the back deck. A proper send-off to a truly extraordinary winter.

Runs 1-4

Run 1: Summit Double - Chute - Jackson Standard

[0.65 miles; 3:56; 692 feet; 23.8 mph max; 9.9 mph avg]

Run 2: Summit Double - Chute - Jackson Standard

[0.74 miles; 4:01; 774 feet; 27.7 mph max; 11.1 mph avg]

Run 3: Summit Double - Chute - Jackson Standard

[0.72 miles; 3:42; 689 feet; 29.2 mph max; 11.7 mph avg]

Run 4: Summit Double - Chute - Jackson Standard

[0.64 miles; 2:57; 659 feet; 29.2 mph max; 13.0 mph avg]

The ride up the double was outrageously wonderful. Light breeze, abundant sun, conflicting music (the lift was blasting 70s music while the band on the back deck was blasting Dad Rock), and just wonderful vibes. Not a lift line in sight (I'll soon learn why). The unload was only a little dicey! I decdied I'll do what the plan was for Jay - get a run in, and then decide how many I want to do. The only open trails were Chute to Jackson Standard. Chute was actually wonderful! Big soft bumps and just enough pitch to get past the rapidly-melting flat part. There were some more dirt patches where the run made a left turn (a couple I almost sent right on over), and then I hit the patch. People were skiing over it, but I popped my skis off and walked down to the nearest muddy mogul.

The bottom half of the run was super fun! Just a few bumps and a long runout with a few bumps to get air over here and there. I figured it would only get worse, so I'd get a few more runs in in the meantime.

Back at the bottom, the lifty asked how it was, and I told him "it sucks, but it's 80 degrees in May!" Truly, the splashback from the slush felt kind of good! This time, I skied over the mud and it wasn't outrageouly horrible! My plan of attack was to aim for what slush was left and just straightaway it between, which kind of worked! I almost hit one massive, sharp rock, but everything else was good! My legs were slowly getting coated in mud.

Run #3 I thought was going to be my last before champagne, but I was actually getting kind of good at this mud skiing thing. I was definitely doing better than the snowboarders who were faceplanting in the mud left and right - I'll take it! I giggled everytime I went to turn and just sunk into slush. My Pit Vipers were basically coated in mud, too. This was one of those things that looks absolutely miserable, but once you get over it and commit it becomes fun as hell!

I landed on a goal of five runs. The sun was COOKING me (and I had no sunscreen oops) on the chair, and the snow was RAPIDLY melting. I had one more fun run down and after my fifth ride up, I parked  myself at the Alpine Cabin and got some champagne. The folks at the cabin were cheering on everyone who was getting off the lift, as it kept getting more and more sketchy! The bartender complimented me on knowing exactly what I wanted. I got a seat on the snow, faced the sun, and simply marinated. I eavesdropped on people's coversations and worked on my end-of-season video - it was a JOY. Once my champagne was done, it was finally time to head on down.

Run 5

Run 5: Summit Double - Alpine Cabin - Chute - Jackson Standard

[0.73 miles; 4:27; 673 feet; 27.5 mph max; 9.9 mph avg]

Time for my second to last run of the season, maybe skipping the last! I did get a little emotional - the usual: sad it's over, happy it happened, nostalgic for this season's memories, and mostly proud that I'm able to ski these absolute garbage conditions with a smile on my face! The bumps on Chute were wonderful, the flat part kept me moving fast, I knew which bumsp to get a little bit of air on, and then the mud patch... well, it was most of a mud field. My skis crossed, but I recovered! I turned on what used to be a slush pile, my skis crossed, and DOWN I WENT! Absolutely covered in mud! I didn't quit though! I got back up, made a turn, almost went down again, got a "nice!" from a woman hiking down, and then finished out my run strong!

Back at the car I hosed off with what water I had left from my Nalgene. I thought about calling it, but I was disgusting and kind of wanted to 1) dry myself off and 2) let my equipment dry off. I took my liners out of my boots, let them bake in the sun, and left my skis at my car to also bake in the sun. I took myself to the back deck to listen to the band, which was named "Diana's Bath Salts" - INCREDIBLE. They were a classic Dad cover band. I enjoyed the best tasting Sam Adams Summer Ale I ever had, chatted with a few people (notable one 2.5 year old who was making snow dinosaurs and attacking me with them), and then got a second beer when the final band went on. I enjoyed their music for a bit longer and eventually called it around 5:00pm. 

My pack-up was nice and easy and I finished up my season waving goodbye to Black Mountain. My drive home was wonderful and I only emotionally listened to Ski & Party 30ish times. I proudly did my grocery shopping at the Hannaford in Meredith on my way home, and was back in Boston just before 9pm. This was truly a PERFECT weekend, and I'm so grateful for it.

Map of Black Mountain (2025-2026)

Mt. Crescent & Mt. Randolph via Crescent Ridge and Pasture Path (Randolph Community Forest)

Mt. Crescent & Mt. Randolph via Crescent Ridge and Pasture Path (Randolph Community Forest)

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 6.94 miles

Elevation: 2,077 feet

My Time: 3 hours

Book Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes

Parking: Large parking lot at end of Randolph Hill Road for Randolph Community Forest
Hiking Challenges: Randolph Mountain Club 100

The Hike 

I had a wonderful 45-minute drive to Randolph from Bethlehem. On NH-115, just past the Cherry Mountain trailhead, I saw a bear cub in the woods! The turn for Randolph Community Forest was a left at the height of land on US-2, just after Appalachia. I was suffering from pizza burps and insane heartburn at the end of this drive, but the views to Madison and Adams from the road made me feel better. Mt. Adams had a decent amount of snow remaining and was in the clouds, while Madison looked mostly snow and cloud-free! There was plenty of parking at the Community Forest trailhead, separeted by tree islands. I parked and immediately got swarmed by a few deer flies - bug spray on! A trailhead kiosk read:

"The Randolph Community Forest. Owned by the Town of Randolph and Managed by the Randolph Community Forest Comission. This Community Forest was permantly protected on December 4, 2001 through the combined efforts of the Town of Randolph, The Trust for Public Land and the Randolph Foundation. It is open to the pubic and dedicated to hiking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, other traditional recreational uses, sustainable timber harvesting, and ecological protection."

[8:45am - Start of Hike on Community Forest Road]

My hike started just past a gate on the opposite side of the parking area of the kiosk, signed as "Community Forest Road," which looked like an old logging road. It was mostly surprisingly dry with just one wet spot and grass that was starting to grow in. I was feeling super bummed about my camera, especially since it was so beautiful out. 

[8:46am - Mt. Crescent Trail]

The Mt. Crescent Trail, blazed in orange (along with every trail I'd hike today), started at a left turn off of the Community Forest Road, marked with a temporary trail sign. Right away, the trail began to climb moderately with rugged, leafy footing around mossy rocks. There were seemingly endless trout lilies that would for sure be blooming soon. I passed some blue spray paint marking property lines, an old logging road, and then saw some trout lily flowers! Interesting how there were more flowers higher up than down low - maybe they have more sunlight?

[8:54am - Mt. Crescent Trail/Peek Path]

I crossed the junction with Peek Path in another sea of trout lilies. I was super curious about the Ice Gulch, but I knew it is famously not climbed in spring, and I was not willing to find out why. I caught some tree views to Madison and Adams, a few conifers started to mix in, and then I came to the junction with the Castleview Loop trail! It looked like there was a viewpoint just below, so I took a short side trip to check it out.

[8:57am - Mt Crescent Trail/Castleview Rock]

I descended briefly on Castleview Loop and scrambled up a large boulder called "Castleview Rock," which provided a nice tree-framed view to Adams and Madison. I couldn't believe how crazy King Ravine was looking - I'm getting impatiently excited to tackle the Terrifying 25!

I scooted back onto the Mt. Crescent Trail and back into sunny deciduous forest, soon crossing another old logging road and the first of many young red trillium! This climb was slow and steady with moderate steepness. I was SWEATING. The trail later reentered a coniferous forest with woodpeckers chirping and red squirrels rattling.

[9:11am - Crescent Ridge Trail]

I turned right onto the Crescent Ridge Trail, which provided a momentary reprive from the climbing. It was nice to be hiking on relatively flat land in the shady conifers! The trail felt less-used and more rugged than the Mt. Crescent Trail, but looking at the map, I think the Mt. Crescent Trail also got dicey after tha tjunction. The Crescent Ridge Trail spent some time rambling along the contour line, navigating just a few wet rocks and a few easy streams.

After crossing the final stream, the trail turned left and began to climb up the shoulder of Mt. Crescent, which immediately got steep. Comically, one it got steep, piles and piles of moose poop began to appear (somewhere around the 2800' contour)! The trail continued to get steeper until I was simply struggling up a steep pine needle-covered slope. Thankfully, there were some peekaveiws to the Moriahs and Carters! Buzzing house flies cheered me on as I stumbled on up over rocks and more piles of moose poop to a brief walking break, where I passed the BIGGEST pile of moose poop I'd seen! It also looked recently... laid. 

The trail steepend again, climbed over more rocks and poop, and finally rounded the shoulder at a blowdown patch with obstructed views towards the Carters and Moriahs. I could hear wind, but I was still waiting to feel it! The trail crossed the height of land just near the summit (I didn't see a sign or a herd path to the true summit, so I didn't adventure too far) and soon came to the upper junction of the Mt. Crescent Trail!

[9:32am - North View and Mt. Crescent Trail]

Straight ahead was the continuation of the Crescent Ridge Trail. On the right was the North View, and on the left was the Mt. Crescent Trail and South View. I checked out the North View first, and WOW. There was truly a spectacular view of the whole Kilkenny Range and the Percy Peaks behind on the right. The dark mountaintops faded into a light brown at the lower elevations, but the light brown had a slight dusting of early spring green starting to show. The wind was also here, and it was howling! I went from cooking to cold in a minute! After I took my photo, I turned around and hiked along the Mt. Crescent Trail toward the South View. Even though it wasn't close, there was minimal elevation change to get there.

The walk from the North to South view was nothing short of an absolute delight. The ground was soft and dry and covered in needles with good footing through moss-covered trees and rocks with PLENTY of moose poop on the ground. I did look around hoping for a true summit herd path, but I didn't see any and simply did not care enough to bushwahck the extra ~20 feet. 

[9:39am - Mt. Crescent Trail/South View]

Even if the walk between the two views wasn't an absolute delight, the South View would have been worth it! It presented Mts. Madison, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Jefferson proudly. Between Mts. Madison and Adams was the Snyder Brook drainage and the Durand Ridge, with King Ravine on the right. The Great Gully had some good snow holding on, and Jefferson with either the Caps or Castelated Ridge was looming behind. Really a wonderful view. Down low, the drainages were outlined with conifers while the rest of the forests were a light green with the spring budding trees. The view ended at the Presidential Rail Trail and Route 2 - just wonderful!

I had a nice and easy walk back and couldn't stop wondering why this mountain wasn't on the 52 With-a-View? I'd say it meets all the requirements! Maybe Randolph didn't want the extra traffic? Who knows!

[9:44am - Crescent Ridge Trail]

I was a little on-alert due to all of the moose poop, as moose are truly the one animal I'm scared to run into in the woods, but like a big boy I continued on! The upper stretch of the Crescent Ridge Trail was on a narrow spine and was dark, spooky, and windy - I loved it! There were tree views into the Kilkenny as the trail easily descended. Even as the trail got steeper, the descent had great footing, and I was able to really cruise! I caught a tree view ahead to Mt. Randolph, which was surprisingly far away!

The trail began to mellow and traverse a few navigable wet spots with less, but still abundant moose poop. The poop increased again in a logged area and then it crossed a stream in what I believe was Carlton Notch, proper.

There was comically even more poop on this side of the stream. The trail rose and fell, dodging more and more piles of poop until coming to the junction with the Carlton Notch Trail.

[10:05am - Crescent Ridge Trail/Carlton Notch Trail]

[10:10am - Crescent Ridge Trail/Underhill Path]

Mt. Randolph was 1.3 miles away and I was feeling great - onward! The trail continued back into a dark coniferous forest covered in moss, passing a few vernal pools (and of course, piles of moose poop). Next, I hit the junction with the Underhill Path in a more open area (with more poop) before going back into the conifers - I guess the back-and-forth of forest types is primarily due to logging?

There was another short, steep push to a slope on a sub-peak (past more poop), traversed a prehistoric-feeling wet area with rotted boardsand then meandered into a clearing what was covered in trout lilies. There was a peek-a-view to Mt. Adams in this area.

[10:24am - Crescent Ridge Trail/Lafayette View]

A fun part of doing literally no research prior to a hike (bad advice!!) is that every little feature is a surprise! I stumbled upon the Lafayette View, which was stunning! Ironically, it was mostly of Madison, Adams, and Jefferson, but maybe I could make out Lafayette on the far far right? It was hard for me to tell from this angle. Either way, it was beautiful and just a treat to get another view!

There was a short, steep descent to another clearing, where I saw my first person of the day! I couldn't help but think "this looks skiable..." (turns out it IS, at least according to the Strava global heat map). There was a single blue-diamond blaze higher up in the clearing, I guess marking whatever the trail may or may not be? 

The trail descended slightly from the clearing, crossed a beautiful stream in a col, and then started to climb again, stomping over an endless amount of sticks. It wasn't until I saw the next pile that I realized I went about five whole minutes without seeing moose poop!

Not to worry, though, becuase it was back in abundance! I continued to climb through a partially overgrown section of trail, full of trout lilies, pre-bloom trillium, and some small flower of an unknown name to me. It was pretty! The trail steepened again with obstructed tree views back to Crescent, which looked far away!

The Crescent Ridge Trail rounded the shoulder with barely-visible tree views to the Kilkenny Range and then came upon a cleared view toward Mt. Crescent, the Mahoosuc Range, and Mt. Moriah - it was stunning!

[10:44am - Crescent Ridge Trail/Mt. Randolph]

I was greeted in the summit area with a bunch of blowdowns and plenty more moose poop, yay! I was a little disappointed to see no summit sign, cairn, or anything, but right before the trail started to descend, I saw a sign on a tree indicating the summit - yay again!

The Crescent Ridge Trail began to descend a little roughly to another obstructed view towards Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, and King Ravine before continuing to steeply descend. I did make the mistake of steeping on a slippery root, slipping and catching myself at least three times, and ultimately falling on my butt and jamming my finger into a blowdown (which is still a bit swollen as I'm typing this three days later...). 

The trail soon opened up again and the temperature seemingly shot up - being in the sun and out of the breeze (and pushing 11am) really got me cooking! The descent eased up significantly, and now I was just walking through open hardwood forests with abundant sunshine. There were countless flowers and some above-tree views up to Adams, which simply looked ridiculously high up. I passed two delightful women at a steeper pitch, the interaction went like this:

Me: "Hey hows it going?"

Woman 1: "Oh goodness! We never see anyone on this trail!"

Woman 2: "No time for talking Mads, we got to keep going!"

And that was it - genuinely so quick, easy, and delightful!

[10:56am - Crescent Ridge Trail/Four Soliders Path]

[11:03am - Crescent Ridge Trail/Vyron D. Lowe Trail]

[11:05am - Crescent Ridge Trail/Lookout Ledge]

The trail flattened out and I crossed the Four Soliders Path, which looked simply nonexistent. I couldn't see a trail bed or a blaze, just the sign indicating it was there... It was also about five minutes before this junction where I saw my last pile of moose poop... tragic.

Next was the junction with the Vyron D. Lowe Trail and Lookout Ledge, which was simply spectacular. I could see Pine Mountain, the Moriahs, the Carters, the Howker Ridge, Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, King Ravine, Mt. Jefferson, and the works. The sun was HOT, but I was truly having a wonderful time on this hike.

Just after there was another, smaller view with a bench, and then I got back onto a rugged descent toward the Pasture Path.

[11:10am - Pasture Path]

To my dismay and horror it said there were 2.7 miles to Randolph Hill Road, which is fine, just a solid bummer. I moped for about 14 seconds, had a snack, and continued on. There were a couple of gentle stream crossings followed by a larger one that required 10% brain power. I was pretty warm at this point, and the water was looking mighty fine... I stayed dry and hopped across two more medium-small ones and one small-small one. A dry spell was followed by another medium crossing, which was the lst for at least a few minutes. There were a good amount of blowdowns in this area and a few criss-crossing logging roads - thankfully it was well-blazed.

[11:27am - Pasture Path/Notchway/Four Soliders Path]

There was a small crossing at the Four Soliders Path junction (which had one single yellow blaze but still no discernable footpath) as the Pasture Path followed property lines blazed in blue. There was a lovely boardwalk section with a few muddier spots, but overall nothing too horrible. To my DELIGHT I was able to shave off at least a mile of the hike by turning onto Grassy Lane! The 2.7 miles was apparently to Randolph Hill Road a ways away from the parking area, this was a relief!

[11:38am - Grassy Lane]

[11:40am - Randolph Hill Road]

Grassy Lane was exactly as it was named - a grassy lane. There were beautiful private residences on either side, and at the top of the lane I continued left onto Randolph Hill Road, which was a little longer and gained a little more elevation than I wanted, but overall it was low-brain and easy hiking back to the car! There was a heavenly breeze, and it was time to get changed and get ready to ski!

[11:45am - End of Hike]

To my horror, there was a tick crawling up my shoelace as I was debooting. Thankfully, I flicked it off. I changed my clothes, and saw a tick-like shadow on my leg, and in no sane state of mind absolutely shredding my leg scratching it off (I KNOW that's bad, but I simply cannot help it!). I put my crocs on, and found the first tick again! Oh my goodness. I was UPSET. I did a big brush and search of my body, and confirmed it was only those 1.5-2.5. 

To wrap up this chapter of my day, I got my dry clothes on (my anglerfish t-shirt and my leopard print shorts), ordered a BUNCH of food from Dunkin, and drove into Gorham to claim the goods before heading down through Pinkham Notch for the last day of ski season!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike on Community Forest Road.

- At jct., turn left onto Mt. Crescent Trail.

Photo Album

Mt. Agassiz (Bethlehem, NH)

Mt. Agassiz (Bethlehem, NH)

Hike Type: Out and Back

Distance: 1.66 miles

Elevation: 574 feet

My Time: 36 minutes

Book Time: 1 hour, 7 minutes

Parking: Small parking off of main road at trailhead.
Hiking Challenges: Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge

The Hike 

I natuarlly woke up around 4:45am without an overly firm plan. I tried to fall back asleep, but once I realized I was simply awake, decided to start my day! I felt nostalgic waking up in Emma's house without her there, as she was usually on her way to patrol on these mornings. I decided I'd definely make my way over to Black Mountain to get a few runs in for their closing day. On the way, I've had my eye on Mt. Agassiz, so I'd start there, and then maybe get another hike in somewhere in the Randolph area? I heard on the Sounds Like a Search and Rescue Podcast that Mt. Crescent is supposed to be good - we'll see!

I had a nice and easy drive from Fairfax, VT to Bethlehem, NH (I always forget how cute the town of Bethlehem is). The parking area isn't super clear, but you pull onto a dirt road and there spots for two cars on the left, and then two more cars on the left just after, and that's really it. I got ready at the car, dodging a few flies ('tis the season), and realized that I had forgotten my camera! Bummer. That's kind of what I get for staying up until 1am, packing, and then leaving at 4am yesterday...

The weather was absolutely lovely. It was sunny and temps were in the mid 50s. The birds were singing and a gentle breeze blowing. A dream! I hiked up the road just a little ways and then ducked under a gate clearly labeling private property, but welcoming hikers. The hike climbed up this access road, which I learned used to be a carriage road, and later was traversed by the "Magic Mountain Express" - a train-shaped tractor "ride" that brought tourists to and from the top of the mountain. There is also a brief ski history here, which was fun to learn about, too. 

The road was partially paved and partially eroded and mostly steep. I passed an enormous raven perched on a tree, turned in a flat spot and passed som eeroded old culverts and a sign for "Cry Baby" (which I would later learn is a mountain biking trail a part of the Bethlehem Trails Association). There were tree views ahead to Mt. Agassiz and over to Mt. Cleveland, and I began to climb again after passing something that looked like an old oil tank. 

The gnats were out as I started to climb steeply again past an old, busted bench and more Cry Baby signs. It smelled like the mountains in summertime, which brought me a lot of joy.

There was a narrow view from a small power cut as the trail somehow felt steeper again? Thankfully, before I knew it I was seeing the communication tower through the trees and I was nearing the top! There were a bunch more mountain biking trails from the top. First, on the left was a communication tower and ahead was a neat-looking abandoned-looking stone building surrounding anohter communication tower.

I found some old bolts on the ground and disc labeled "Mt. Agassiz 3". Around the corner I was SHOCKED to see a truly spectacular view towards Franconia Notch. From left to right I could see the Twins (in a cloud), Garfield, Lafayette (in a cloud), the notch, Cannon, the Cannonballs, at least North Kinsman, and Moosilauke! There was a lone bench thanking the landowners in a mowed lawn. Around here I found another disc, labeled as "Mt. Agassiz No 4."

Near the building there was a lot of broken glass from broken windows in the building, so I carefully looked around some more. I made it back to the "Mt. Agassiz 3" disc and followed the arrow to a third disc, which was fun to see. I had to decide whether to hike it three times to make all three discs "count" or to save it for later - I opted to save it.

I thought about descending on Cry Baby just to mix things up, but it very much seemed like a proper mountain biking trail, so I left it to the mountain bikers. I had a super quick and easy descent back to the car. I wondered if the parking lot is plowed in winter, because this would be a nice snowshoe up (with televators). To cap this warm-up hike, I passed a red trilium! 

Back at the car, I decided I'd hit Mt. Crescent and the Carlton Notch Trail loop with the possibility of extending the hike to Mt. Randolph as well - we'll see!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike up road from parking area.

- Summit, and turn around to descend.

Photo Album

Mt. Major & Straightback Mtn. via Old Stage, Jesus Valley & Blueberry Pasture (Belknap Range)

Mt. Major & Straightback Mtn. via Old Stage, Jesus Valley & Blueberry Pasture (Belknap Range)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 7.82 miles

Elevation: 1,745 feet

Time: 3 hours, 56 minutes (3 hours, 32 minutes moving)

Parking: Limited parking for a few cars on Alton Mountain Road ("Straightback Trailhead" on Google Maps)
Hiking Challenges: Belknap Range Redliner, Belknap Range Grid, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge, 52 Hike Challenge 2026

The Hike 

Time to drag Christien up north again! Naturally, I wanted to spend the day in the Whites. Naturally, it was going to be cruddy weather (with snow on the highest of peaks, NATURALLY). Instead, I decided to take him to Mt. Major via the south side (really just to mix things up for me). The plan was to leave at 5:30am, so he got up at 3:30am to get ready (which was WILD). I got up at 5:00. We slowly got our lives together, and we were off!

Skies were crystal clear in Boston, but there were going to be clouds in the Belknaps, which was fine - I assumed Mt. Major would be low-elevation enough to still give us a nice view. Christien was pretty nauseous for the drive - I felt bad for him. He was a tropper, though! We took a longer break at Hooksett for some food and not-driving, and we eventually made our way up to the parking area on Alton Mountain Road to start our adventure! Parking was nice and easy with space for just a few cars (and plenty of signs telling you NOT where to park). I booted up at the car - he came in his full hiking attire - and then we were off!

[8:21am - Blueberry Pasture Trail]

The Blueberry Pasture Trail starts about 20 feet away from the parking area kiosk on the right and is clearly signed. The Trail follows an old road to a very interesting area with... t-shirts on crosses? According to the Belknap Range Trails map on belknaprangetrails.org, they are Finnish Scarecrows (Silent People), and I can't find much information on them - WAIT. I found a Reddit thread that linked an article in the Laconia Daily Sun (found here). In essence, the landowners visited Finland and saw the original Finnish Scarecrows/Silent People, which were erected as a memorial to lives lost during a Russian/Finnish war in the late 1930's. The landowners were inspired to recreate it in this old field, partly as hommage to the original, but also to protest the 2003 war in Iraq. Kind of interesting that we stumbled upon them for the first time as the U.S. is dealing with another controversial war, now in Iran.

Anyway, here, the Blueberry Pasture Trail is joined by Old Stage Road, which is a colonial-era road with a neat history, detailed also at belknaprangetrails.org. Information below:

"The Old Stage Road (blazed red/blue) through Griswold Scout Reservation has a complicated history.  In colonial times the now Old Stage Road was an extension of the now Manning Lake Road and went east and ended at the farmstead, now a cellar hole, in the center of the Reservation, at what is called the logging camp outpost.   On the east side of the property, Alton Mountain road extended northwest to the farmsteads on the eastern boundary of the property in the area where the red trail crosses the now Old Stage Road and ended there.  So in the era of Stage Coaches, that road never went through.  Around the 1940’s a logging company punched a rough road through what is now the Reservation to move their portable sawmill and connected the then abandoned portions of the two roads.  That old road then became the red/blue trail for the boy scouts, but was flooded by beaver in one section east of West Brook and was quite wet in another section between that beaver swamp and the eastern boundary.  In 1977, the Scouts built a road from the Hidden Valley camp to the eastern portion of the now Old Stage Road and made it passable to trucks easterly to West Brook.  In the mid 1990’s, I set up a timber sale in the West Brook valley and along the red/blue trail.  As part of that sale, the loggers built a new road easterly across West Brook and around the north side of the beaver swamp and by-passed the other wet spot and ended the road where the gate is now located.  There was only a hiking trail between the gate and the eastern boundary.  The Gilmanton snowmobile club soon discovered the improved road and widened the hiking trail at the end of the road to accommodate their groomer and to connect with the old Alton Mountain Road section.  I have not been easterly beyond the old gravel pit on the east boundary of the Reservation for many years and do not know what has happened in that area of late. (I was able to drive a VW Rabbit to the red trail-Old Stage Road junction in 1995)  If the Alton section was once a public road, it is still the legal Right-of-Way to the Reservation.  I do not know when and if that section of Alton Mountain Road was abandoned, but I assume it was around the same time the farmsteads were abandoned.  Research on the history of now abandoned section of Alton Mountain Road may uncover something of further interest."

The two trails coincide, hiking past yet another curiosity - a sign that reads COUGAR IN AREA. I immediately rolled my eyes. I know there's a group of Mountain Lion enthusiasts that believe they're in New England. It wasn't until I read the fine print that my attitude changed...

"PLEASE STAY ON TRAILS. TRAVEL IN SMALL GROUPS AND DO NOT ALLOW MEN UNDER 30 TO TRAVEL ALONE."

Excellent. No notes, truly!

A bit further down the trail/road we saw a bright orange "Trail Information" sign, likely from snowmobile season signing "Little Avery Hill Loop" and "Secret View" - we mentally pinned this for later.

There was a light pitter patter of rain (IT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO RAIN!) as we continued this easy stretch of our hike. We passed a sign (there are so many signs in the Belknaps) saying "TRAIL USERS. This trail is on private land is being made available through the cooperation of: Elise Arry... and has been developed through the efforts of: THE Mt. Major Snowmobile Club. Do not litter. Drive with Care. Respect Private Proeprty," followed by another sign for the other end of the Little Avery Hill Loop.

[8:32am - Old Stage Road]

Just after, we hit the intersection where Old Stage Road leaves Blueberry Pasture Trail. Old Stage Road continued on the right, while Blueberry Pasture Trail turned left. This officially began our lollipop loop! Christien had pivoted from feeling nauseous to having a bit of vertigo, he said "the trees are moving," and the trees were in fact not moving. I felt so bad for him! We were passing the time with me guessing the names of his family members, which I got most of within a few minutes, but there was one that really kept me occupied (well over an hour of guessing) - hopefully he didn't find it too annoying!

We hiked past a few pools with frog eggs, past a few wonderful glacial erratics, and then hit a junction with an unblazed trail that helped us avoid private property at the end of Jesus Valley Road.

[8:46am - Unblazed Connector]

The unblazed connector, signed with a wooden arrow pointing towards Mt. Major and Straightback, rose steeply with typical "road" footing, meaning it was calf steep. This is the first time we actually were hiking, so naturally I was immediately out of breath.

[8:49am - Jesus Valley - Beaver Pond Trail]

The Unblazed Connector came to a junction with the Jesus Valley - Beaver Pond Trail, which we turned right onto to descent back onto the lovely, flat corridor we'd been enjoying! We hiked through an open yard of sorts and turned left into the woods, continuing along over snowmobile bridges and eventually coming up Beaver Pond! 

[9:02am - Jesus Valley - Beaver Pond Trail/Beaver Pond]

I'm guessing Beaver Pond is named for the beavers that clearly had formed the pond - their lodge was a wonderful centerpiece on the pond! The pond was a nice spot to "stop and stare." It was delightfully quiet and still with grey skies above and just a few bits of drizzle falling. We each took sepearate excusions into the woods to take care of personal businesses, and then we continued on! The trail followed the pond for a bit before contuing through a beautiful birch-lined corridor. We even saw an eft!

[9:28am - Boulder Trail]

We took a quick break at the Boulder Trail junction, and Christien had some of my tums-coated Advil - he was thinking he was dealing with a sneaky migrane, which truly sounded likely. We had some water, he had his drugs, I took a quick potty break, we crossed paths with the first person du jour, and it was time to FINALLY climb up Mt. Major!

I was a big fan of the Boulder Trail. I had only ever hiked down it, and let me tell you it was MUCH nicer going up than down! Last time I came down this trail it was after a rain storm, I was grossly dehydrated, and I took a pretty hard fall onto my back, which was caught by my pack, but gave me some intense whiplast for the next few days. The trail alternated steep, rocky climbs with mellower stretches. This is also where I learned that Christien likes to mountain goat up the rocks with his long legs - my god! I had NO problem letting him get ahead, as I was plugging along slow and steady.

Salvation was near after a gravelley, scrambly pitch. We came to the first "DO NOT DISTURB THE CAIRNS!!" sign, and from this point on the trail was absolutely delightful. Mostly flat, trending upward, and walking along beautiful slabby, scrubby woods with moss-lined trails. We started to catch preliminary views towards Alton Bay.

[10:23am - Mt. Major Summit]

"Wow"s soon began, as we reached the summit! The view from here is always spectacular. Lake Winnipesaukee is really something cool to see. We could see Mt. Moosilauke in the clouds (turns out it was snowing!), the peaks of the Franconias and the Sandwich Range, and of course the Ossipees (where Sarah was apparently hiking! I told her on Strava that I waved to her!). There were showers rolling through the area, but thankfully they were staying above and north of the lake, with only wind and a few small drizzles hitting us at the top. We took a bunch of photos and meandered around the summit for a bit. I found two discs! There were two groups of hikers taking refuge from the cold wind in the old foundation, but once they left I jumped in. There were two friendly solo hikers chatting nearby - it was one's first solo hike ever, and she just ran a marathon. The other one was a chatty guy who read as a local and just happy to meet people. Very fun to eavesdrop!

We then sat for a bit and bundled back up. I got some tortellini pasta salad from Hookset, which felt silly but was a WIN! I paired that with an Almond Joy and we both shared adult beverages (a Nutrl hard lemonade and this Blackberry Bramble canned cocktail, both were... fine) and enjoyed being out, even if it was cold!

Christien said he was feeling better (I bet it was the nasty Bramble), we finished up our break, enjoyed the view for just a bit longer, and then started hiking again!

[10:54am - Blue/Yellow Trail]

We followed the confluence of a blue and yellow-blazed trail, which I think was the Mt. Major Trail and Brook Trails. They continued along wonderful open slabs (similar the upper reaches of the Boulder Trail) before descending a bit steeply to a junction where the yellow-blazed Brook Trail turned right to descend and the blue-blazed Major-Straightback Link turned left to start the journey up to Straightback. We briefly crossed paths with the woman who was on her first solo hike, who was also playing music loudly, so we blasted off.

[11:04am - Major-Straightback Trail]

The Major-Straightback Link rose through pretty, mossy forests with occasional open spots at easy to moderate grades. There were a few older wooden blue diamond blazes guiding the way, but the footbed was always clear. The trail later evened out and opened up to the summit of Straightback Mountain!

[11:24am - Straightback Mountain Summit/Straightback Mountain Trail]

Mentally, I didn't realize that Straightback was higher up than Mt. Major, but my legs felt it! From the summit, we turned left and followed the sign for "to Jesus Valley Rd 1.5 mi," which was the Straightback Mountain Trail. 

The upper Straightback Mountain Trail was an absolute joy to walk across. It was very open with a small discernable footpath through occasional patches of dirt with occasional views - it reminded me of sections of Monadnock along the Pumpelly Ridge. I only wish there were blazes or cairns! The trail turned a corner and descended along a slightly wetter stretch before ocming to the junction with the Blueberry Pasture Trail.

[11:37am - Blueberry Pasture Trail]

The Blueberry Pasture Trail was a wonderfully pleasant old road with mostly good footing, save for a few wobbly rocks here and there. We descended with a few turns here and there, and lower down hiked across some snowmobile bridges and past some old artifacts. Some wheel/pulley thing and a few barrels. It was simply a lovely descent from Straightback down!

[12:01pm - Blueberry Pasture Trail/Old Stage Road]

[12:02pm - Little Avery Hill Loop]

Soon we were back on Old Stage Road and after a bit of waffling we decided to hit the Little Avery Hill Loop to check out the "Secret View." This was clearly a snowmobile trail with blegh footing, and it was a steep one at that! Christien was NOT pleased with our decision, but I was suffering along excited for a view1There wre a couple of old orange blazes, but this trail is not on either map on belknaprangetrails.org. We turned a corner, suffered up some more, and came to a grassy clearing with a view!

[12:10pm - Little Avery Hill]

There was a lovely view up to straightback, and it was really fun to see the open slabs up there, where we were not too long ago! Christien was NOT having it, he officially hated Little Avery Hill after that steep climb! There was a tree view behind to normal Avery Hill, which does have a trail in the old Dave Robert's map on the aformentioned website, but nothing on the current map.

The descent was quick and easy down a narrower snowmobile trail, and soon we were back on the Blueberry Pasture Trail to finish out our hike!

[12:13pm - Blueberry Pasture Trail]

We did forget about the Silent People, though. We had a quick, uneasy hike past them, but then soon enough we were back at the parking area, which had about four cars now.

[12:17pm - End of Hike]

We did it! Christien was feeling much better compared to the start of the hike, and was just wishing he felt fine for the whole thing. I'm really glad and grateful that he rallied - I had a wonderful time on these trails and hiking with him! I got changed in the parking area and then we set our sights on getting lunch on the lake, so we drove down Alton Mountain Road to Alton Bay and landed at Shibley at the Pier in Alton, and it was a great, easy lunch! Except for the fact that I basically drenched myself in my cocktail...

The drive home was nice and easy. I got BOGO popcorn from the Common Man and Christien had a nice nap. Best part - we were home by 3:00pm so I could keep delaying my Sunday scaries!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike on Blueberry Pasture Trail from trailhead.

- At jct., turn right onto Old Stage Road.

- Near terminus, turn left onto unblazed trail.

- At jct., turn right onto Jesus Valley - Beaver Pond Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Boulder Trail.

- At terminus, continue onto Blue/Yellow blazed trail.

- At jct., continue to follow Blue blazes.

- At summit of Straightback Mountain (S. Peak), turn left onto Straightback Mountain Trail.

- At jct., turn right onto Blueberry Pasture Trail.

- After jct. with Old Stage Road, turn left onto snowmobile path to "Secret View."

- At "Secret View," continue to follow path down to Blueberry Pasture Trail.

- Turn left onto Blueberry Pasture Trail, return to car.

Belknap Range Map (2023)

Photo Album

Whiteface, Swett, and Piper Mountains (Belknap Range)

Whiteface, Swett, and Piper Mountains (Belknap Range)

Hike Type: H

Distance: 7.74 miles

Elevation: 1,998 feet

Time: 3 hours, 4 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Belknap Range Redliner; Belknap Range Grid

Parking: "Whiteface Trailhead" on Google Maps. Parking on side of road for a few cars at the end of Belknap Mountain Road.

 

The Hike 

After a wonderful day yesterday celebrating Linnea's birthday as a gaggle of Hannah Montanas, I was on my way home from Jay a little after 7:00am with the intention of stopping back in the Belknaps for a little more exploring! My drive was nice and easy on a bluebird morning. I was a little sleepy, a little sore, and probably a little hungover, but in great spirits! It took exactly one Hamilton soundtrack plus seven more minutes of driving to make it from Jay to the Whiteface Trailhead, which was a win! I was at the trailhead at 9:30am. It was 44 degrees and mostly sunny, and I was ready to go!

[9:35am - Start of Hike]

The hike starts at the end of Belknap Mountain Road, at a Class VI road sign. On the Belknap Range Trails map, it looks like the Class VI road goes for a while and can actually link up with Whiteface via another Class VI road or even an unmaintained trail, but I've never seen much info online about it. I walked past a home and the official trailhead is between that home and another private propery. It is WELL signed!

[9:37am - Whiteface Mountain Trail]

My favorite sign reads "Private Property. Quiet Zone. Dogs on Lead" - I assume they meant leash. The trail follows a TALL fense with "no tesspassing" and "area under video surveillance" signs and soon comes to a more official looking trailhead with an informational kiosk.

"Piper Mountain Conservation Area

This 84 acre woodland was generously donated to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust in loving memory of Bud and Doe Slusher by their daughter and son-in-law, Vicky and Chuck Brox. The trail leads to the public lands on Whiteface Mountain and to the open ledges of Piper Mountain and its trail connecting to Belknap Mountain. We hope you enjoy the well-maintained trails, spectacular views, vegetation and wildlife available here"

"Welcome

This conservation property is open to the public for low-impact activities during daylight hours. Help us protect this property: Camping, overnight use, fires, biking, and motor vehicles are not permitted. Please carry out what you carried in"

from the Trailhead Kiosk

There was also an information sheet about the Belknap 12 patch, one of my earlier patches!

A bunch of little songbirds and a morning dove sun to me while I climbed up the reasonable grade, which felt like an old road with leafy footing, with occasional blue blazes. The trail turned onto a flat spot onto another old road, continued to climb, crossed a small stream, and then continued to climb again. The forest began to change from deciduous trees to coniferous trees as the trail eased up and got slabbier, flattening out before the junction with the Piper-Whiteface Link.

[9:52am - Whiteface Mountain Trail/Piper-Whiteface Link]

I turned right to continue on the Whiteface Mountain Trail and gently descended past a trail runner into lovely, sunny, open area. The trail is joined by a snowmobile/ATV trail (I assume) here, and with that came muddy ruts and grass, but thankfully the grass was still flat from the winter (ticks are always on my mind). Thankfully, the muddy ruts were all avoidable with well-beaten side paths.

Climbing again, the trail split for a moment - I went right to follow the AllTrails map, but it would turn out that both sides rejoined just a few yards further down the trail. It looked like I might have missed a view, but I'll check that out on the way back! From here, the trail descended again, passed a few more muddy ruts, offered a tree view to piper, and started the final, super rocky climb up Whiteface Mountain. The trail split again, and I stayed right again, leading me to the summit area!

[10:10am - Whiteface Mountain Summit]

There are two summit areas on Whiteface - the lower with the MUCH better views, and the upper with obstructed views. Both are in the open and wonderfully sunny! The lower summit was occupied by a group of four women having a wonderful time (we exchanged quick "hellos") as I passed on to the higher summit area, which had a few views towards low-lying hills and through the trees to Piper. It looked like the ATV trail continued down the far side of the mountain, while a slightly beaten footpath descends the back side.

Back at the lower s ummit, there was a stunning view out to Moosilauke, which had just a coating of snow left on its open summit. Franconia Ridge was on the right, with the Sandwich Range poking out just before the shoulder of Piper/Belknap. It was especially fun to see the 4000-Footer Whiteface from this Whiteface! And of course there was a lovely view to Piper ahead. The women asked me if I was doing "the three" today, and I paused, not sure which three until they said "Swett and Piper?," to which I said "yes!" They said "well we'll see you again!"

[10:15am - Whiteface Mountain Trail]

Now heading towards Piper Mountain, I took the other half of both splits. The higher one was just a rocky, gravelley trail, and the second had a slightly obstructed view towards the Sandwich Range. I noticed one of the muddy ruts had gelatenous frog eggs bobbing about, but it also looked like they might dry up soon. I made it to the low point and climbed up, past the nice open area and some older "PIPER FOOT TRAIL" and "NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES" signs to the Piper-Whiteface Link, with LRCT signs welcoming hikers to their land (I wonder whose land I was just on?).

[10:30am - Piper-Whiteface Link]

I crossed paths with a few other hikers as I started my journey up Piper, which started in relatively flat, open woods. The sun felt just wonderful. The trail was now a footpath instead of an old road, which was also a nice change. I crossed a few markers for the "Town of Gilford Conservation Area - No Motorized Vehicles" and began to climb!

The climb up Piper is mostly slabby with a few thigh-steep stretches. Thankfully, the slabs were super dry and had wonderful grip. The forest gradually began to change over to conifers and it became shadier and cooler, but now that I was huffing and puffing, the change was welcomed!

There were views opening up behind me as I slogged up, but I was going to save them for my return trip. I crossed paths with a couple and their three insane dogs that they might have been trying to train? hard to tell. The trail continued to get prettier and prettier, and soon enough I was at the junction with the real target for today - the Vista Trail! I decided to do this before summiting Piper just in case I ran out of gas. Onward! 

[10:45am - Vista Trail]

I had a vauge memory of exploring the upper part of the Vista Trail at some point in the past becuase it sure looked familiar, but if I did I didn't go far. The trail starts mostly in the open with cairns and blazes on rocks marking the trail - it felt much less traveled. I caught up to and passed a friendly couple as I easily descended along the open slabs with occasional wooded patches in between - it was really quite lovely! There was a final longer (still short) wooded stretch before the trail really staretd to descend down the shoulder.

From the top of the shoulder, there were some wonderful views to nearby ponds and the interior Belknaps and the views continued to reveal Belknap Mountain as well. The trail descended steeply on slabs (thankfully with dry, good grip) before reentering the woods and descending even steeper on dirt, soon entering land owned by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. 

The footpath had pretty leafy footing and I managed to roll my ankle pretty hard (thankfully I have strong ankles, becuase if I didn't this roll would have been a PROBLEM). I noticed some older dark green blazes, too? (UPDATE FROM THE FUTURE: This stretch of trail used to be the "Swett Mountain Trail" and blazed green according to old maps).

The descent momentarily mellowed in an open area with tree views before STEEPLY descending again, scrambling down a rock pile before hitting the long, flat col betweel Piper and Swett. I passed what looked like an exploded bird (with some yellow feather, Seek said it was from a northern flicker). I meandered for a bit, passing an unmapped, unblazed trail on the right that descended off the ridge, and later entered the Sweet Mountain Conservation Area. A sign read:
"PRIVATE PROPERTY. Welcome to the Swett Mountain Conservation Area. Access for day trips has been made available to the public by the owners. Please treat the property with care and respect. Pedestrian Access Only - Hikers Welcome. No vehicles allowed. Discharge of firearms by permission only. NO CAMPING. NO FIRES. Please help keep this land open to the public. Report any violations to Charlie Mitchell, PO Box 11, Gilmanton NH 03237 - 603-581-2696."

Following the sign, I rambled along the ridge a bit longer and then hit the final push, which really wasn't much of a push. There were rocky slabs bordered with moss - it was super pretty! There was an obstructed view to what I think was Suncook Mountain and Belknap Mountain from a different angle.

[11:20am - Swett Mountain Summit]

The trail continued up, past what might have been a summit cairn? (no signs or anything else to indicate the high point, but it sure looked it!). The trail continued past to another area with views south towards Pack Monadnock, I believe. I took a few photos here, but had a quick turn around to continue my journey!

The best part of the return trip was simply that I was hiking away from the sun instead of into the sun - for both my eyes and my photos. The flat part of the return went very quickly and I was feeling the BURN on the scramble! Thankfully, the trail mellowed out after the scramble, providing some relief. I continued my climb, exiting the SPNHF land steeply and eventually hitting the lovely stretch that was similar to the Pumpelly Trail on Monadnock. I passed the same duo from before, now on their return trip, and just after I ran into the quartet of women from Whiteface! We exchanged "hello agains!" and moved along. I also crossed paths with two dirt bikes? It sure felt like they shouldn't have been there, but maybe I was being judgemental...?

Regardless, the rest of the return trip was an absolute delight, and I was even more thrilled to make it back to the Piper-Whiteface Link!

[11:59am - Piper-Whiteface Link]

I turned right to hike towards Piper's North summit, never knowing if that or the south one is the actual high point. I crossed paths with a trail runner as I enjoyed the views towards the lake and Belknap Mountain. I loved how pretty this stretch was and also how not difficult it was!

[12:06pm - Piper-Whiteface Link/Piper Mountain Trail]

I booped the top of Piper's North Summit, and started my return trip! I passed the same duo from before for a third time, they comically said "didn't we JUST see you?" - yes, I'm just crazy!

[12:14pm - Piper-Whiteface Link/Vista Trail]

I passed the junction for the Vista Trail and started to descend on the scenic slabs with wonderful grip. Apparently, I didn't spend time getting many photos of the views, but I sure did enjoy them! The last bit of slabs were slightly covered in pine needles, but they were completely fine in terms of grip. The trail left the Town of Gilford Conservation Area, mellowed out, and then came to the junction with the Whiteface Mountain Trail!

[12:25pm - Whiteface Mountain Trail]

I hit the 7-mile mark right when I got to the Whiteface Mountain Trail junction - I was HUNGRY. I zoned out for a bit and blasted off on my descent, only blacking back in to see a collapsed shed of sorts in the woods maybe 100 yards before the trail kiosk? I didn't remember seeing it before when I visited in 2022, but according to my photos it's been like that since! I again giggled at the "dogs on lead" and was soon abck at the Class VI Road!

[12:37pm - Class VI Road]

[12:39pm - End of Hike]

The road walk was short and sweet and I made it back to my car feeling great! There were five cars total now (two that were there before, mine, and two new ones). I did a quick change into dry clothes, and I was on my way home! I made it a goal to get at least two new Belknap trails in 2026, and I accomplished both this weekend - yay!

Step-by-Step

- Walk along Class VI section of Belknap Mountain Road.

- Turn left onto blue-blazed Whiteface Mountain Trail.

- At summit, turn around.

- At jct., continue straight/right onto light-green blazed Piper-Whiteface Link.

- At jct., turn right onto yellow-blazed Vista Trail.

- At Swett Mountain/terminus, turn around.

- At jct., turn right onto Piper-Whiteface Link.

- At North Piper Mountain, turn around.

- At jct., turn right onto blue-blazed Whiteface Mountain Trail.

Belknap Range Map (2023)

Photo Album

Mt. Rowe & Gunstock via Bypass, Rowe's Revenge, Overlook (Belknap Range)

Mt. Rowe & Gunstock via Bypass, Rowe's Revenge, Overlook (Belknap Range)

Hike Type: Figure-8 Loop

Distance: 8.53 miles

Elevation: 2,228 feet

Time: 3 hours, 7 minutes
Parking: Park at main parking area at Gunstock Mountain Resort.

Hiking Challenges: Belknap Range Redliner; Belknap Range Grid

The Hike 

I was hoping to go hiking with Christien yesterday (the day after Lafayette), but New England weather said "you can, but you'll be soaking wet and cold," so we opted for a day home. Now it's Thursday of break, and I was heading back up to Jay Peak to celebrate Linnea's 30th birthday (Hannah Montana themed, naturally). Emma and I were going to see Pattie Gonia at the Higher Ground tonight, so I decided I'd leave at a moderately reasonable hour and get a hike in in the Belknaps on my way up!

My drive was relatively sleepy but I did the best I could! Thankfully, the weather was back to lovely with sunny skies, minimal clouds, and temperatures in the 50s. It felt weird to park at Gunstock Mountain Ski Area, especially post-season when the only folks there appeared to be doing spring maintenance, but it was all valid! My boots were still wet from Tuesday's hike up Mt. Lafayette, so I threw on the hiking shoes (Merrell Moab 3s) that I hadn't worn since last fall - apparently I have a big hole in one that I forgot about... Anyway, I got started just after 10:00am!

"GUNSTOCK MOUNTAIN RESORT

Formerly Belknap Mountains Recreation Area

Gunstock Mountain Resort opened in 1937 as the Belknap Mountains Recreation Area. It was the largest WPA project in New Hampshire, putting many men back to work and believed to be the largest four-season recreation area in the East. It featured one of teh first fully developed ski trail systems in the country, the first chairlift in the Northeast and a unique group of four graduated ski jumps; the longest was used for Olympic tryouts in 1938. The Main Lodge was the costliest WPA-funded building project built in the state. In the summer, the resort hosted national motorcycle competitions.

Listed on the State Register of Historic Places"

From Historical Marker in the parking lot.

I started my hike by walking the road around the pond, which had a duo of wood ducks swimming around. My true hike began across from the treetop course on the Ridge Trail, which doubled/tripled/quadrupled as the uphill ski route, cell tower access road, and the mountain coaster access road (oh, five-tupled, it is also the Belknap Range Trail).

The Ridge Trail crossed underneath the mountain coaster, which was cool, and started a gravelly climb up to Mt. Rowe. I took off my fleece now that I was climbing and turned left a fork near the top of the coaster (it was clearly signed). Just after, there was a smaller sign indicating the Road Bypass Trail was ahead on the left - my first goal du jour!

The Bypass Trail looked recently brushed and was quite lovely, especially compared to the gravel access road. It was nicer to be in the woods even if I had a heavier pack with moderate grades. The Bypass Trail soon crossed the access road and continued a truly lovely meander through the woods. 

I had a nice walking break through a denser forest and passed a small sign indicating the former Fletcher Hale Ski Trail, which was mostly grown in with young trees - still looked like a fun glade! With a rough Google search, it seems the Fletcher Hale Ski Trail was a part of the abandoned Alpine Ridge Ski Area, but still medium-used today? Definitely curious!

The Bypass Trail climbed through some steeper switchbacks, eventually revealing the cell tower through the trees. There was an older sign pointing to a view through the trees, but after a brief walk I did not see anything.

The trail came to a junction soon after with Rowe's Revenge, which I think is an old ski trail for Alpine Ridge, but now a mountain bike trail for Gunstock? The signage and online information is minimal. Just further down, there was a sign saying 'TRAIL MAINTAINED BY GUNSTOCK XC NO SNOWMOBILES" - so maybe it's part of Gunstock, but not on the cross country ski map? A mystery!

There was an unsigned spur to a view that was simply beautiful! I think was the signed view from the Bypass Trail that I missed. A handwritten sign said "FORMER WARMING HUT, ALPINE RIDGE SKI AREA." The view was to Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipees. 

I worked my way back to Rowe's Revenge, which was mostly flat and beautiful. I passed a junction for the "Alpine Slide Trail" by another big concrete footing, which created more questions for me. Rowe's Revenge followed a stone wall on the left with seasonal tree views to the lake and warm sun shining down. Eventually, it turned a corner and began to descend more steeply with gravelley footing, but nothing ever too horrible. 

Lower down, I did see an official Gunstock Mountain sign for Rowe's Revenge with a black diamond, but that was truly it for "official" looking signs. There were a few rusty artifacts of times past in the woods. Rowe's Revenge eventually dumped out at a large parking/maintenance area with a few trucks and old busses and large piles of dirt. I think this was the former base area for Alpine Ridge Ski Area? It's hard to find much information, but I'm so curious!

My initial plan was to out-and-back Rowe's Revenge, but I crossed paths with a guy hiking down from the Alpine Slide Trail, which I remembered met with Rowe's Revenge up top, so I decided to go for it!

To no surprise, the climb up started moderately steep and simply did not relent. Everytime there was a junction, it was well signed with the handwirtten signs. I wonder how official these trails area? Someone is for sure keeping them maintained? The trail got steep steep for a bit and then another trail branched off left to the "FORMER Alpine Ridge Double Chair Mid Station," which was cool to see. 

The Alpine Slide Trail climbed steeply again with occasional artifacts off-trail and occasional bolts sticking out of the ground on-trail. The climb was brutal, but much better than the road walk I was considering. The trail had a hairpin turn at a neat cliff wall and then finally flattened out with lots of artifacts, possible the high point of the slide? I passed the view spur to the warming hut site and noticed the footings for the old chairlift! I was really glad I took this side quest - I never even knew about the old ski area until this!

Finally getting back on the Bypass Trail, after my adventure, I continued my climb up Mt. Rowe. The Bypass trail skirted around the fenced-off cell tower complex in the woods and rose gently to the summit, which was marked by a hand-written sign and a cairn. 

Just after the summit was the beginning of a stretch of wonderful views of the Ossipes, Lake Winnipesaukee, Gunstock Mountain, and Belknap Mountain. I crossed paths with a few people here, including a mountain biker truly fighting for his life and another hiker with their dog. Along the first view, there were two fenced-in items of machinery that read:

"EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory Station

This station is part of a network of over 875 stations installed across the western United States to study movement of the Earth's crust. The receiver and antenna are used to track signals from satellites that are part of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Data recorded here are used to calculate the position of this antenna to within a few millimeters (1/8"). Because the antenna is attached to the earth, the change in its position records movement of this plate which makes up part of the Earth's crust.

EarthScope project scientists are studing: * How and where the Earth's crust changes shape, * where and when earthquakes occur, * ho wmagma moves in the Earth and erupts in volcanoes, * how to reduce hazards from earthquakes and volanoes."

Funny enough, the photo also only pictures the western united states - no mention of New Hampshire at all!

The Ridge Trail descended back into the woods and then I took another smaller detour onto the Mt. Rower Trail and then North Spur Trail. The North Spur Trail was clearly less-used than anything else I had been on, but still a nice, descending walk. This brought me to the Benjamin Weeks Trail, which climbed back up to join the Ridge Trail. I had a fever dream of also hiking the trails up Mt. Rower from the Gilford Elementary School side, but I still had a lot of hiking to do and I wanted to get a nap in before the show tonight - onward!

The Benjamin Weeks Trail terminated near a ski trail with a sign indicating 1.1 miles to the summit of Gunstock Mountain! The Ridge Trail continued to parallel the ski trail with occasional switchbacks in steeper spots - the ski trail still had some larger disconnected snow patches. After the junction with Marge's Trail, the Ridge Trail began to steepen and get rougher, wiggling up the ridge and eventually hugging the back side of Gunstock Mountain.

It was colder, shadier, and windier on the back side of Gunstock with some cool iciles uphill. I came to a surprise wonderful view to Moosilauke, Franconia Notch, and the Sandwich Range with a little bit of South Presidentials - I was in awe!

Soon after was the Ledges-Iron Mine Trail and a cute little bird that was posing for me - a red-breasted nuthatch according to Seek! Things started to pick up afterwards. I soon hit the Bypass Trail, the Gunstock Mountain Trail, the viewpoint (not as good as the one between Marges and Ledges), and then just a little wiggle to the summit - Yay! There were a few people doing work at the top, so I took a quick photo and started my descent down. 

The woods along the Brook Trail are always super pretty and I almost always lose the trail because of some unmarked glades (I think). There was a slight breeze, but I was back to being very comfortable. The trail got muddier once on the Saddle Trail, but thankfully it was short-lived. I later turned left onto the orange-blazed Overlook Trail, which marked a long 3.2 mile walk back to the car!

The Overlook Trail was clearly less-used than the other trails I had hiked today, with a footway of mostly just leaves. It started by descending on leaves and zig-zagging across a dry drainage that turned into a trickle as I descended further. I veered away from this drainage and crossed another lightly flowing stream and admired extremely obstructed tree views to the lake. There were some logging road cuts a bit further down again, and the trail later paralleled a larger section of logged forest. 

I passed by a little cascade off of a tiny ledge and then climbed up a little before turning a corner and hitting the overlook that I assume this trail is named after - it was lovely! Scrubby understory with views to the northern slopes of the Belknap Mountains. I had a nice flat walk around this area as the trail mellowed for a while. All good things do have to come to an end, sadly, and the trail then dipped back into the woods and descended a bit more ruggedly, meandering down to cross a lovely brook.

The hike got a little confusing in this lower section, which was entirely on wide dirt and gravel roads (a part of the cross-coutnry skiing network). The orange blazes continued, thankfully, because it was a bit confusing. I followed the Oak Trail and eventually the Maple Trail, which is where the Round Pond Trail joined in on the fun. There were tree views to nearby hills on this basically flat walk. There was one medium-steep descent near the Maple Birch Cutoff, but then it flattened again. After one final slightly confusing intersection, I followed the orange and red blazes back to the parking lot, which was full of gusty wind and a sense of satisfaction! I only have one more hike to close out the Rowe side of the Belknaps, which comically has an enormous amount of trails. Now, time to get back to Vermont!

Step-by-Step

- Park at main parking area at Gunstock Mountain Resort.

- Walk along pond clockwise, then continue on road.

- At mountain coaster, turn left onto Ridge Trail.

- At jct., turn left onto Ridge Trail Road Bypass.

- At jct., turn right on Rowe's Revenge.

- At terminus, turn right onto Alpine Slide Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Rowe's Revenge.

- At jct., turn right onto Ridge Trail Road Bypass.

- At terminus/summit of Mt. Rowe, turn right onto Ridge Trail.

- At jct., turn left onto Mt. Rowe Trail.

- At jct., turn left onto North Spur Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Benjamin Weeks Trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Ridge Trail.

- Follow Ridge Trail to summit of Gunstock Mountain.

- Start to descend via Brook Trail.

- At jct., continue straight/right on Saddle Trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Overlook Trail.

- Follow Overlook Trail to road and car.

Belknap Range Map (2023)

Photo Album

Mt. Lafayette via Greenleaf, Old Bridle Path, Bike Path (White Mountain National Forest)

Mt. Lafayette via Greenleaf, Old Bridle Path, Bike Path (White Mountain National Forest)

Hike Type: Reverse Lollipop Loop

Distance: 9.83 miles

Elevation: 3,681 feet

Time: 6 hours, 28 minutes (5 hours, 31 minutes moving)
Parking: Park at Cannon Tram parking lot.

Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

LAFAYETTE (cue the rest of the lyrics from Hamilton). The forecast basically begged for us to climb a big mountain, so we had to oblige! Sarah and I met at the Burlington Mall at 4:30 to head on up the Whites. We had a sleepy, but not as sleepy as it could have been, drive up to Hooksett for breakfast and we both PANICKED. They changed the layout! They're currently expanding the general store on the northbound service plaza to match that of the southbound, so they moved the hot food to the new section, which really threw us off. Thankfully, we're warriors and persevered through the challenge and got our food safely. Thankfully, the sun is rising earlier and earlier this time of year, so we were soon in daylight and making our way up. Skies were crystal clear and the peaks of Franconia Notch were dusted in snow!

It was in the 20s, which felt cold after the warm weather we'd been having, but it was still nothing to worry about. We did both start in FULL layers becuase we're babies, though. We parked in the Cannon Tram parking lot, got suited up quickly to not get too cold, and started our adventure!

[7:13am - Start of Hike]

Our plan was to do either an out-and-back via Greenleaf, reverse lollipop via Greenleaf, Old Bridle, and the Bike Path, or get crazy and do a big loop with Falling Waters (which we quickly vetoed when we remembered how much... water... there is on Falling Waters. We followed signs for the Greenleaf Trail from the parking area and soon entered the woods just off the on-ramp for I-93.

[7:16am - Greenleaf Trail]

There was a light coating of 1-2" of snow on the Greenleaf Trail, with only one other set of footprints, which made for some choice footing. Nothing was overly slippery, but we did have to take our time just in case. We passed a few good looking rocks and some nice seasonal tree views out toward the Profile on Cannon Mountain.

After 15ish minutes our layers started to come off as the gentle hike started to gain a little bit of elevation. We did have one small stream crossing that was absolutely coating in icicles, which was really pretty to see!

The Greenleaf Trail began to climb more steadily with an occasional zig-zag through increasingly coniferous forest. Unfortunately, Sarah is shorter than I am, so even though she led for much of the climb, I still caught a good amout of snowy branches!

[8:25am - Greenleaf Trail/Eagle Pass]

After a more rugged section of trail, things calmed down and flattened out as the Greenleaf Trail entered Eagle Pass, which I remembered reading about in the White Mountain Guide, but I was prepared for how cool it was going to be! We had high cliffs on on the left with some unique views out to what I think is the ridge near the Skookumchuck Trail ahead. The only bummer was that the snow was SKETCHY here. Very narrow monorail was covered by drifted fresh snow, so every step required some good poking with poles to make sure it was on stable ground.

The trail dipped slightly from here, which was even sketchier, and then started a long, slow ascent. up to the Greenleaf Hut. The temperature felt much colder up here, but the tree views on the left were absolutely lovely! Sarah and I kept it relatively solo in this stretch, as one of us would stop and the other could continue on to keep warm and so on. The climb was never overly steep, but it just kept on climbing with careful footing so it felt slowwwwww.

Salvation briefly came when we got high enough to have the sun on it, which felt absolutely delightful. 

I passed a friendly bird and did the thing I do where I begin to take on speed when I can feel I'm close to a view, so naturally I gassed myself out. I continued hiking into the sunlight and then I saw the Forest Protection Area sign!

[9:28am - Greenleaf Trail/Greenleaf Hut Forest Protection Area]

I screamed for Sarah in joy! We loosely decided that going down this way would be unadvisable. We did cross paths with two younger French Canadian guys who spent the night in the scrub and said the sunrise and sunsets were beautiful, but they were having a not-so-great time descending, so we were probably going to opt for the reverse lollipop loop option.

The trail calmed down after the sign and we caught a few tree views to the Alpine Zone near the sign for Sunset Rock. The spur path was unbroken, and there were a couple blowdowns to deal with so I decided I'd wait for another day. Just after the spur we made it to the sun-drenched hut with a spectacular view up towards Lafayette!

[9:42am - Greenleaf Trail/Greenleaf Hut]

We took a nice 15-ish minute break at the hut and in the sun. We spent time yapping and staring into the void while stuffing our faces with food. The one food I saved for the top was a cookie, though! We couldn't beleive how beautifully witneresque the mountain was looking from here (and from the woods, in fairness) - it was such a wonderful day! We could just barely make out a duo climbing up in the Alpine Zone from the hut, which was also fun to see. Eventually, we gathered ourselves and started our final climb up!

[10:04am - Greenleaf Trail]

The Greenleaf Trail descended from the hut to cross the outflow of the Eagle Lakes on a wonderful, wide bridge, and then begins to climb again, first in the trees, but then soon out in the open with wonderful views across the ntoch toward the Kinsmans, Lonesome Lake, and the top of Cannon. 

Lincoln and Little Haystack are revealed next on the right, with Moosilauke making an appearance behind the Kinsmans. The trail continued back into the woods before reaching the Alpine Zone.

[10:20am - Greenleaf Trail/Alpine Zone]

The trail had a narrow, but stable monorail in the trees, but it was for sure a welcomed change when we finally broke out into the trees and we had a similar snowy trailbed to that of midwinter. The rest of our climb involved hiking 10-15 feet, turning around, going WOW, and then repeating that process. The view towards the Kinsmans Ridge and the Greenleaf Hut was just spectacular, and we could make out all five Vermont high peaks, plus Jay!

The cairns higher up were blasted with rime ice, which looked just incredible with the blue-sky backdrop. I eventually got into my groove and got a bit ahead of Sarah with my classic case of summit fever. We rounded a false summit and continued the climb. I think when it comes to hiking above treeline, I am actually pro-false summit. I have learned to always assume there's more to climb, so I never really feel disappointed whe nI reach one, and it actually gives me a little micro-goal as I suffer my way up.

We were greeted by a faint cloud-bow, which I assume was made as the sun shined through the ice crystals in the sky. We could make up the false peaks of North Lafayette along the Garfield Ridge and I loved connecting the dots along ridge the Greenleaf Trail ascends. We could make out Eagle Pass and noticed that Artist Bluff/Bald Mountain seem to be a part of this same land mass, sans a bit of glacial carving. The slopes on Cannon looked deceivingly inviting (it was just dust on grass), and to my absolute joy, I soon saw the sign at the summit!

[10:58am - Mt. Lafayette Summit]

I was ahead of Sarah by a few minutes to the summit, so I waited to boop the sign and just looked around for a bit. It was CHILLY up top! I dropped my stuff in a corner of the old foundations and simply gawked at the views twoards the Bonds and the Presidentials - it was such a spectacularly clear and beautiful day! The summit sign was caked in a couple of inches of rime ice, which made things even cooler.

Sarah soon joined in on the "oh. my. god"'s, and we then parked for some food. Naturally, I took about a million photos in all directions, enjoyed a DELICIOUS Common Man S'mores cookie, but to my dismay, we were running out of time. The ascent took longer than planned due to the trail conditions. Originally, I was hoping to turn around at 11am, but I also hate rushing Sarah off of a summit (she's historically much better at enjoying summit time than I am). I presented the conundrum to her - we both decided there was no use in going down Greenleaf, since the only tracks were ours and the Canadians, but there were still six-ish miles back to the car via Old Bridle and the Bike Path, and her ankle does not allow her to safely speed down a mountain, so I proposed that I blast off to grab the car and meet her at the Old Bridle Path trailhead. The conversation felt a little tense, but we both agreed it was the best way to get back in time. 

[11:22am - Greenleaf Trail]

My descent on the upper Greenleaf Trail was fast, and I spent a lot of time in my own head. I had not-the-best-night™ last night and was already in my own head about that, and now I was feeling bad about stressing Sarah out on our hike. I went through waves of being VERY mean to myself in my head to slightly more rational thoughts - the most rational was I needed to be more transparent and communicative about hikes when I have firm turn around times so we can plan for that so she doesn't end the hike feeling disappointed. It wasn't a great time, I'd say this first part of my hike was borderline a bad time, but it did make things go faster, at least!

[11:39am - Greenleaf Trail/Greenleaf Hut Forest Protection Area]

I continued back into the non-alpine zone and popped out for some last views across the Notch and to the Hut before crossing the Eagle Lakes outflow and climbing back up to the hut. I THINK I caught a photo of Sarah hiking down from the hut, but it's hard to tell with the distance. I crossed paths with 6-10 others making their way up on my way down, and I would soon cross paths with a bunch more slowly making their ways up!

[11:47am - Greenleaf Trail/Greenleaf Hut/Old Bridle Path]

[11:53am - Old Bridle Path/Old Bridle Path Forest Protection Area]

The upper strech of the Old Bridle Path had spectacular views of the ridge on the left, with many pull-offs to enjoy them, but also was a moderate nightmare to naviage with every possible trail condition. Hard packed monorail, rotting monorail, puddles of slush, puddles of mud, running water, and glare ice. Not to mention the spicy scrambles were indeed spicy! The upper stretch was slow, but the views helped.

There were a few realtively brutal eroded stretches, too. I think I added and removed my spikes four of five times before finally hitting the friendlier grade down low. Once I was on the friendlier grade, my spikes stayed on for a while and I was truly able to blast off. The new stretches of trail are an absolute DREAM. There were only a few old, eroded stretches left, and they weren't even that bad.

Eventually, my spikes came off for good as I hit the final bit of trail, which was more of a river. In fairness, I thought most of the hike would be like this, so I was fine doing an extended rock hop!

[12:54pm - Old Bridle Path/Falling Waters Trail jct.]

The Old Bridle Path dried out in the final stretch and soon joined Falling Waters Trail for a super easy jaunt to the trailhead! My hike was not over yet, though - I still had a power hike along the Bike Path to get the car (my secret goal was to make it back before Sarah).

[12:57pm - Old Bridle Path-Falling Waters Trailhead/Franconia Notch Bike Path]

The official mileage back to the car was 2.5 miles (I think it ended up being closer to three). My spikes were off and I was officially in power hiking mode. I went under I-93 to the Lafayette Campground and crossed a bridge over the Pemi, which had a nice view to Cannon Cliffs and up to Lincoln. The road alternated between dry concrete to 3" of snow, but I never needed my spikes. The only bummer was that a lot of the path was uphill, and I was tired!

It was neat to walk the bike path. One of the pull-offs that I had never been to had a rock climber registration box and a great view of the craggy landmass that connects to Eagle Pass. The Bike Path crossed under I-93 again opposite of Profile Lake and provided a nice view of Cannon's profile. I crossed under I-93 again near a beaver pond for the final push past the Old Man Historic Site parking and eventually made it back to Sarah's car!

[1:38pm - End of Hike]

Back at the car, I kept all my nasty clothes on, threw my sit pad down on her driver's seat and drove south on I-93, turned around at the Flume Gorge exit, and then drove back north to the Old Bridle trailhead. I was there for maybe three minutes before she landed - perfect timing! We both had a round of apologies for each other - we both were having bad brain days - but thankfully we're able to talk through things well. The drive home was pretty painless with a chicken cutlet sandwich from Hooksett, and soon we were right back to yapping about what our next adventure would be!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Cannon Tram parking lot.

- Follow signs for Greenleaf Trail.

- Start hike on Greenleaf Trail.

- Follow Greenleaf Trail to the summit of Mt. Lafayette.

- At summit, turn around.

- At Greenleaf Hut, turn left onto Old Bridle Path.

- At terminus, cross parking lot and turn right onto Franconia Notch Bike Path.

- Follow Franconia Notch Bike Path back to Cannon Tram Parking.

Photo Album

North Uncanoonuc Double Loop (Goffstown Conservation Land)

North Uncanoonuc Double Loop (Goffstown Conservation Land)

Hike Type: -o-o- Loop

Distance: 3.47 miles

Elevation: 1,293 feet

Time: 1 hour, 22 minutes
Parking: "Uncanoonuc Trails Parking" on Google Maps. 300 Mountain Road, Goffstown, NH. 10ish spaces at junction with gated reservoir access road.

Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

Spring Break is here! Naturally, I got started with a slow drive up near Manchester and then I dipped off the highway for a hike before continuing up to Vermont. The drive to the trailhead was pretty brutal until I got off of the highway, but that's just the nature of driving north on a vacation Friday afternoon. I had the Uncanoonucs on my mind for a while now, mostly just due to Facebook posts and knowing they existed, and after hiking South Uncanoonuc last Friday, I had to hike it's twin! I didn't want to spend too much time delaying my arrival to Vermont, so I was aiming for speed and fitness over leisure this afternoon. The official map had fewer trails than AllTrails did, and I didn't have much of a plan, so we'd see what happens! It was a humid afternoon in the mid 60s that felt pretty lovely.

From the parking area, I turned right onto the road and soon after made a left into the woods. This trail was not on the official map, but there was a clear footbed and orange blazes in various stages of age. The trail climbed up the embankment and then turned to follow the contour. I followed the trail as it undulated around the contour line while battling my third case of hiccups of the day, which was WEIRD. There was clear evidence that mountain bikers had been on this trail. I meandered along, crossing a few dried drainages until the trail split. Straight ahead was a lesser-used continuation of the orange trail, and on the left was a steep climb up to the summit.

I turned left to start the pretty brutal climb up. The one positive was that the climb alternated steep pitches with brief walking breaks. The steeps felt steeper than the Incline Trail up South Uncanoonuc, but the Incline Trail lacked any breaks. I could hear trucks down below as I climbed up past some young trees that provided highly obstructed views. I crossed paths with a downhill hiker on another steep before the trail began to moderate - I was equally sweating and dying. The trail moderated, then turned to climb truly straight up, and then moderated again in a denser coniferous forest. There were tree views to Manchester, and eventually the trail turned again and eased into the summit area, which was grassy and moderately open.

In summation, this climb had 10 segments: steep, flat, steep, flat, steep, flat, moderate, steep, moderate, easy. I was pooped, but fulfilled!

The summit area was accessed by the White Dot Trail, which continued where the Orange Trail ended, and it was quite lovely, with two viewpoints over to South Uncanoonuc and a bit of Manchester if you wiggled around a bit. There was a memorial bench, a summit sign, but no disc that I could find.

From the summit sign, I began my descent down the Blue Trail, which followed the ridge and made for some pretty hiking. A cairn marked a path to a grown-in scenic view and the Blue Trail turned from a nice footpath to a washed-out road. I caught a view to what I think had to be Pack Monadnock? There was also an old sign for the Pink Trail from the view, which does not pop up on the current official map. 

The Blue Trail eventually turned off of the washed-out old road onto what felt like another old road, which was past the stages of washed-out and just plain slabby. It was dry, but footing was a little slippery from conifer needles. Further down, the trail rejoined the old road (or another old road...) in what felt like a snowmobile corridor (update from the future: I was right!). 

The Blue Trail ended at the Class VI Road Trail, which I followed left. This trail/road was wonderfully soft underfoot as it followed peoples' backyard property lines. I decided to follow it all the way down to Mountain Road just to the hike legally counted as a double summit, since I was now planning on heading back up due to the low mileage. 

After the junction with the Red Dot Trail, the Class VI Road Trail had a few green blazes, later passing a bunch of snowmobile signage as it descneded towards Mountain Road. Near the end, the actual trail left the road corridor and descended to the road. I took a swig of water, and turned around to climb back up! The climb on the Class VI Road Trail was easy to moderate, but I was moving fast so it got my heart pumping! I made a light goal at this point to finish the hike in under 1 hour, 30 minutes, but I wasn't too sure of the mileage for the White Dot Trail, so we'd see how it goes. Soon enough I was back at the Red Dot Trail junction!

I immediately noticed how well-signed the Red Dot Trail was, especially compared to the Orange Trail. The trail split a couple of times, but it was easy to follow (the other splits were on AllTrails). It was similarly as calf-steep as the Orange Trail, soon climbing up a neat little spine. Also, I was dying again. The forest changed higher up, providing a nice tree view to South Uncanoonuc, and I could hear gunshots in the distance (I'm guessing a nearby sportsmen's club, so I was in danger and didn't worry about it). Similarly again to Orange, the trail mellowed out near the top and I had a quick return to the summit on Blue! The sun felt HOT, but the air felt lovely. I could have dealt with lower humidity and more wind, but I'll take what I can get. 

Descending on the White Dot Trail, I enjoyed the upper forest. I passed a woman training her dog to be a wonderful hiking dog, which was nice to see. Further down, the trail began to descend more moderately over slippery rocks, and then it plummeted down, providing a little view at the top of the shoulder. I really enjoyed seeing the springtime reds starting to top the trees. I passed a few Boy Scout plackards with numbers on it - I think they were marking mileage (I saw 0.5, 0.2, etc.). This trail was honestly just as steep as the others, but this one would be quad steep on the climb versus calf steep. 

Futher down, I passed a neat little cave feature just before one final plummet. The White Dot Trail continue straight to the road, but I turned right onto the other fork of the Orange Trail, which was significaly less-traveled than the main trail, but stiill easy enough to follow. I did have to go up a little bit, but I persevered. 

My final return on the Orange Trail kept my heart rate up, in part becuase I was looking to do the hike in under 1 hour, 30 minutes, and also because of how the trail meandered up and down. My burning lungs thanked me when I saw the road, and to my delight, I was back at my car in 1 hour, and 22 minutes!

I quickly changed back at the car and had a nice, but long drive up to Emma and Sarah's. I grabbed a pizza from Stone's Throw and started doing crafts with the two of them for our Anglerfish costumes for the Ski Patrol Banquet tomorrow night!

Step-by-Step

- Park at trailhead.

- Hike northbound on Mountain Road.

- Turn left onto Orange Trail and enter woods.

- At terminus, continue left on White Dot Trail.

- Follow White Dot Trail over summit and continue.

- At jct., turn left onto Blue Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Class VI Road Trail.

- At Mountain Road, turn around.

- At jct., turn right onto Red Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto White Dot Trail.

- Follow White Dot Trail over summit and descend.

- At jct., turn right onto Orange Trail connecting spur.

- Follow Orange Trail back to Mountain Road and car.

Uncannonuc Trails Map

Photo Album