| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Gunstock Mountain, Gunstock Iron Mine, Belknap Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Brook Trail, herd path, Ridge Trail, bushwhack, herd path, Saddle Trail, Blue Trail, White-Yellow Trail, East Gilford Trail, Round Pond Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 26, 2021 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty @ Gunstock. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Very small crossings on Round Pond Trail did not pose a problem. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
In terms of hiking trail maintenance that can be addressed there is nothing of note. There is LOTS of mud in a couple of areas...more on that below. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Didn't see any.
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
The Good:
For decades the iron mine on the slope of Gunstock piqued my interest. It was one of those places that I always told myself I would check out someday...but someday never came...until today. On a prior trip in the area I did not find any sign of the path shown on the original DR map so to prepare I pre-plotted a bearing from the Ridge Trail. On the way in today I again did not find evidence of that Ridge Trail path so Plan A kicked in and I made my descent. I encountered a cliff area in my line but I was able to scoot around it without much trouble. In a short while I looked at my altimeter I figured I was close to the iron mine...turns out I was right on top of it :) It was a fun area to explore while trying to envision the effort involved to A) mine the iron and B) get it out of there. I guess the latter explains why the mine was only in operation for a short time. On the way back up to Ridge Trail I encountered a herd path (not the one I was initially looking for) which took me a little N of where I started.
On the way up to Gunstock I went off of Brook Trail for a bio-break and I ended up finding a herd path close by. I took it and it ended up re-connecting to Brook Trail. Perhaps this was an old relo'd portion of Brook Trail?
Views were good from the viewpoints along the way. Not too many others out: in fact outside of the summit areas I didn't not see anyone else on the peripheral trails.
The Bad:
I noticed some signs heading into Gunstock for something called the "Bronco Off-Rodeo." After seeing what I saw during the day (see below) I asked what this was all about on my way out. Apparently this "off road adventure" is for those who have purchased a new Bronco and has been in place at Gunstock for about two months. Drivers can go "up the mountain" and "around to the XC ski trails." I was told "the plan" is to keep this in place until they shut down in advance of ski season and to have it back next year when it will be open to anyone.
The Ugly:
The second ski trail crossing of Brook Trail was a muddy mess due to these vehicles but this was just a small preview of conditions to come. Later, heading out to the lot, the woods road portion of Round Pond Trail was mostly a slippery, sloppy, rutted, unsightly, muddy mess. Thankfully I did not encounter any vehicular traffic on this "hiking" trail, however I did not see any warning signs about vehicles being on this trail either. I can easily envision an injury (and lawsuit) where a Bronco comes whizzing around a corner, skids in the mud and takes out a hiker. The quaint woods road walk that was the lower portion of Round Pond Trail is gone - at least for now. |
|
 | Name: |
HMJ |
|
 | E-Mail: |
trailsntrees(at)gmail(dot)com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2021-09-26 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
|
