Trail Run: Belknaps

As one of my long weekend runs, and in order to do the Belknap Range Hiker badge, I planned on doing a loop of the entire Belknap Range. Short-sightedly, I only brought 1 liter of water at the start. I had a filter and 2 liters of capacity, but I thought I could pull off 1 liter until I hit Round Pond. I was wrong. It was warm and humid and the climb back up Piper from Whiteface had the midday sun on my back. I got to Round Pond dehydrated and completely drained. After drinking as much water as I could and napping by the pond’s edge, I bailed on my plans and headed back to my car.

ROUTE

Parked at Gunstock Mountain Resort off Panorama Drive in Gilford, NH
Ran up Single Chair Ski Path to Mount Rowe
Left on Ridge Trail to summit of Gunstock Mountain
Left on Brook Trail to intersection with Saddle Trail
Right on Saddle Trail to intersection with Blue Trail
Straight on Blue Trail to summit of Belknap Mountain
Left on White Trail to intersection with Old Piper Trail
Right on Old Piper Trail to summit of Piper Mountain and on to intersection with Piper-Whiteface Link
Right on Piper-Whiteface Link to intersection with Whiteface Trail
Left on Whiteface Trail to summit of Whiteface Mountain and back to summit of Piper Mountain and to intersection with Round Pond / Piper Link
Right on Round Pond / Piper Link to intersection with Round Pond Trail
Right on Round Pond Trail to Round Pond and back to intersection
Right on Round Pond Trail to Maple Ski Path
Left on Maple Ski Trail back to parking lot