Gunstock/Belknap/Piper 10/4/09
Gunstock Mtn. 2250'/ Belknap Mtn. 2382'/ Piper Mtn. 2044'
Approx. 4.5 Miles 1400' Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma, Tim and Val, Mark and Natalie
Our weekend plans got washed out. The Trumans still came up and hiked with Tim and Val on Saturday, but we chose to check some chores off our fall list rather than make a long drive to hike in the rain. Sunday promised to be better and we made plans to visit the Belknaps. The six of us and Emma as the lucky 7 met up at the gate at the base of the Carriage Road on Belknap. From the small parking area the Gunstock Mountain Trail leaves the road on the left about 75' past the gate. From there it's a quick, steady climb to Gunstock.
When we reached the summit it was enveloped in thick fog. As we had some lunch the fog began to thin and the sun shone through. The fog to the east remained too thick to reveal what it held secret behind its veils, the whole of Lake Winnepesaukee, which we would not see from the hills at all this day. As we headed down the trail which immediately dips to the col between Gunstock and Belknap, the interplay of light t and fog which danced through the trees was reminiscent of walking through a cathedral with light shining through stained glass windows.
As we emerged into the steel forest which is the summit of Belknap there was plenty of blue sky above us. We were anxious to climb the tower and get a good look around. Upon climbing the tower we found, to our astonishment, that we were sandwiched between 2 cloud layers. Below us, and as far as we could see in any direction, we were above clouds. Above us was a lot of blue sky, but also more clouds moving in from the southwest. Before we left the summit we were back in the fog, more or less to stay.
We managed to eat on every summit, Piper being no exception. We took a pretty good break there. Believe it or not, the stone furniture is quite comfortable to sit in. From there it's a quick hike down where we were all setting off in different directions for our respective homes. it was a great group to hike with and we thoroughly enjoyed the company for this excellent little hike. We'll do it again soon!
KDT
Read MoreApprox. 4.5 Miles 1400' Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma, Tim and Val, Mark and Natalie
Our weekend plans got washed out. The Trumans still came up and hiked with Tim and Val on Saturday, but we chose to check some chores off our fall list rather than make a long drive to hike in the rain. Sunday promised to be better and we made plans to visit the Belknaps. The six of us and Emma as the lucky 7 met up at the gate at the base of the Carriage Road on Belknap. From the small parking area the Gunstock Mountain Trail leaves the road on the left about 75' past the gate. From there it's a quick, steady climb to Gunstock.
When we reached the summit it was enveloped in thick fog. As we had some lunch the fog began to thin and the sun shone through. The fog to the east remained too thick to reveal what it held secret behind its veils, the whole of Lake Winnepesaukee, which we would not see from the hills at all this day. As we headed down the trail which immediately dips to the col between Gunstock and Belknap, the interplay of light t and fog which danced through the trees was reminiscent of walking through a cathedral with light shining through stained glass windows.
As we emerged into the steel forest which is the summit of Belknap there was plenty of blue sky above us. We were anxious to climb the tower and get a good look around. Upon climbing the tower we found, to our astonishment, that we were sandwiched between 2 cloud layers. Below us, and as far as we could see in any direction, we were above clouds. Above us was a lot of blue sky, but also more clouds moving in from the southwest. Before we left the summit we were back in the fog, more or less to stay.
We managed to eat on every summit, Piper being no exception. We took a pretty good break there. Believe it or not, the stone furniture is quite comfortable to sit in. From there it's a quick hike down where we were all setting off in different directions for our respective homes. it was a great group to hike with and we thoroughly enjoyed the company for this excellent little hike. We'll do it again soon!
KDT
View north to Gunstock.
Gunstock MountainBelknap MountainPiper MountainhikingautumnUndercast
