BBTS Mt. Major-Gunstock Traverse in the Belknap Mountains

What a great day in the Belknaps!  Nine of us met for a beautiful traverse from Mt. Major to Gunstock Mountain.  Our list of peaks for the day included Major, North Straightback, East Quarry, West Quarry, Rand, Belknap, Gunstock, and the unforgettable, unparalleled, and utterly formidable Mt. Klem.  The trails were surprisingly dry for it being mid-spring, and the views throughout the hike were wonderful.  Some highlights of the day include beautiful (if not a bit cloudy) views of Alton Bay and Lake Winnipesaukee, getting “bugged” at lunch, climbing the Belknap Fire Tower, and JT making friends with a porcupine on Gunstock Mountain (well, it was a one-way friendship).  It was a great day of stories, jokes, and general camaraderie.  Thank you so much to everyone who came out for this adventure!

B.B.T.S.  Black and Blue Trail Smashers!

This trip is in preparation for the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim Adventure. This is open to all with the understanding that this will be a STRENOUS hike with STEADY PACE. This is NOT a beginner or season starter.

Total Distance is 12.09 miles (one-way) with 3,714’ of elevation gain.  This trip is considered STRENUOUS.  Remaining snow conditions are possible.

The group will meet at the main parking lot for the Gunstock Mountain Resort adjacent to Panorama Drive.  The address for the main building of Gunstock for GPS directions is 719 Cherry Valley Rd, Gilford, NH 03249.  From there, we will drive to the Mt. Major parking area.  This fills up early, but there is street parking available along Route 11.   We will take the Boulder Loop Trail to Mt. Major.  As we work our way west, we will also hit East & West Quarry, Klem, Belknap, and Gunstock mountains, among others.

For this trip, it is important to bring along flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor.

Group Size It is not fun leaving folks out. If you cannot attend, PLEASE cancel so others may join.  If you are on the waiting list, please contact me days prior to the trip; most likely, there will be room, and if needed, this trail will allow us to break the group into two smaller groups. Please do NOT bring any dogs on this hike. Decreasing the impact on the environment is always a priority! Please plan to “carry in and carry out” all items. It may also be possible to collect other hikers’ debris along the way.

Weather: If the weather is a concern, any updates or cancellation information will be posted by Thursday before 6 p.m. If there is a cancellation, it will include a “possible” rescheduled date so participants can watch for that opportunity.

Safety is a priority!  Any time a hiker is injured or lost, a HUGE team of volunteers is dispatched to aid in the search and rescue efforts. No one wants to be injured or put others in harm’s way. Always be prepared. Know your limits. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the hike leaders.

Map of the hike: www.alltrails.com/explore/map/mt-major-to-gunstock-61f2585