By Peter Hope
Summer and fall saw great hikes and walks to destinations near and far, old favorites and new ones alike. Now we are looking forward to the snowshoe hike season, which will start early in the new year. Call me at (603)863-6456 or e-mail me at phope at worldpath.net with suggestions for trips. And please volunteer to lead!
Remember, it will soon be cold, so whenever you go out, take with you enough warm clothing, gear, water and food. Do not become the object of a rescue; it may cost you! Also, it will soon be deer rifle season. Those dates are:
NH-Youth 10/22-10/23;
Adult 11/09-12/07.VT-Youth 11/05-11/06;
Adult 11/12-11/27.
Be careful in the woods, wear blaze orange, make noise and don’t hike alone!
This month I am only listing one pick:
Piper Mt.(2030’), Gilford(NH). This mountain has a flat open ledgy summit with great views! Take NH-11A east from Laconia (toward Gunstock), then turn right in Gilford on Belknap Mountain Road (past the village store and gas pumps). At 2.4 miles turn left on the Belknap Carriage Road. Spot a car just before the gate (at 0.3mi.), return to Belknap Mountain Road and follow that left to its end in a large paved turnaround. You will start your hike here. Follow the gravel road uphill a short distance, then turn left at a sign into the woods onto a blazed trail. The climb is steady but not steep. You will eventually reach a plateau with a trail junction at 0.7 miles. If you turn right, you will soon join the ATV trail to the summit of Whiteface Mountain. Views from there are excellent, but the hiking is not.
Instead, bear left. The trail becomes steep, with some scrambling over ledges (eminently doable). Views south and west behind you are great. And shortly before the top you’ll pass some flat ledges that make one of the best lunch spots ever! If you go in August, as I did, you’ll enjoy abundant delicious wild blueberries as well. Ignore the trail on your right, which leads downhill. Instead, continue over fairly flat ledges along the summit ridge. Eventually you will reach a large open area, with extensive views east over Lake Winnipesaukee. Enjoy these views, tarry a while , and admire the many rock structures built by those who were here before you!
When you are finally ready to descend, bear left. (The trail to the right leads down to a col, from which you could traverse to Belknap and Gunstock Mountains. However, I suggest you take the easy, and not too steep, Piper Mountain Trail down to the Belknap Carriage Road, crossing one easy stream just before that. There you will find your (spotted) car a few yards to your left on the road just beyond the gate, which is open to cars in the summer and the fall until 4 p.m. So, it is much better to park outside.
Total distance, 4.7 miles with an elevation gain of 1350’. Moderate.
If you would like to receive my weekly hiking announcements, send an e-mailto phope at worldpath.net. On the list you’ll find hikes I lead as well as others near and far.
Happy hiking! Be safe!
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