Mountains: Belknap Ridge: Gunstock Mtn. (2250'), Belknap Mtn. (2382'), Round Pond (1652'), Mt. Klem (2001'), Rand Mtn. (1883'), West Quarry Mtn. (1844'), East Quarry Mtn. (1850'), North Straightback Mtn. (1910'), Mt. Major (1786') Trails: Brook Trail, Saddle Trail, Blue Trail, East Gilford Trail, Boulder Trail, Round Pond Link, Red Trail, Quarry Trail, Mount Major Trail Region: NH - Central East Location: Gilford, NH Rating: Moderate/Difficult Features: Summits, views, ledges, fire tower, pond Distance: Approximately 10.4 miles Elevation Gain: Approximately 3050 feet (cumulative) Hiking Time: Typical: 6:45 Outing Duration: Actual: 7:45 Typical: 10:00 Season: Summer Hike Date: 07/19/2008 (Saturday) Last Updated: 09/06/2009 Weather: Humid, rain, thunderstorms Author: Chipmunk Companion: Fifteen SDHers
Route Summary
Start the hike from the Gunstock Ski Area parking lot.
Head up Brook Trail, blazed in yellow, which starts to the left of the main ski lift.
After 1.5 miles on Brook Trail, you will reach a junction with Saddle Trail. For now, turn right to stay on Brook Trail.
Follow Brook Trail for an additional 0.2 mile to reach the summit of Gunstock Mountain.
Retrace your steps for 0.2 mile back to the junction between Brook and Saddle Trails.
Turn right onto Saddle Trail and descend the white-blazed path for 0.1 mile which will bring you to a trail junction at a col.
Overlook Trail (blazed on orange) goes to the left and Blue Trail goes both right and straight. Go straight on Blue Trail, ascending for 0.5 mile to arrive at the summit of Belknap Mountain which has a fire tower from which there are excellent views.
Descend from Belknap Mountain on the other side, keeping straight all the way for 1.9 miles which will bring you to Round Pond.
The first 0.2 mile will be on the combined East Gilford, White, and Boulder Trails, then the White Trail veers off to the right; keep going straight.
The next 0.3 mile will be on the combined East Gilford and Boulder Trails, then East Gilford Trail will turn left; keep going straight.
The next 0.4 mile is on Boulder Trail which will then veer to the right; keep going straight (maybe a little left at this junction).
The final 1.0 mile to Round Pond is on Round Pond Link.
From Round Pond, turn left onto Red Trail and climb for 0.8 mile which will bring you to Mount Klem.
At the trail junction with Red and Quarry Trails, turn left to get on Quarry Trail.
Follow Quarry Trail for 0.5 mile to reach Rand Mountain.
Keep hiking on Quarry Trail for another 0.5 mile to reach West Quarry Mountain.
Still on Quarry Trail, go another 0.8 mile to summit East Quarry Mountain.
Continue another 0.5 mile on Quarry Trail which will bring you to North Straightback Mountain and a junction with a bypass trail.
Veer left onto the bypass trail and follow it for 0.3 mile to its end at a T-junction where it meets up with Major-Straightback Link.
Turn left and follow Major-Straightback for 0.7 mile until it ends at a T-junction with Brook Trail.
Turn right onto Brook Trail and follow it for 0.2 mile which will bring you to the summit of Mount Major where you can enjoy the stunning views over Lake Winnipesaukee.
Descend from the summit in a northerly direction on Mount Major Trail (marked "Main Trail" on the map) for 1.7 miles to reach the Mount Major parking lot.
