Up Ledges-IronMine Trail and down Marge’s Trail on Gunstock Mountain
| Date: | 11-11-2022 |
| Location: | Gilford, NH |
| Distance: | 3 mi |
| Elevation Gain: | 1087′ |
| Total Time: | 3 hr 07 min |
| Parking: | 8+ cars |
| Difficultly Rating: | Moderate |
When I saw there were two new trails added to the Belknap Range, I just had to check them out. I’ve hiked all the trails in this section of mountains and wanted to keep that status.
The weather forecast stated it would be partly cloudy with rain in the late afternoon. So, I knew I had to head out in the morning for this hike. I headed out early, found where the parking lot was, and Liberty and I were on the trail by 9:30am.
Our plan was to go up the Ledges/Iron-Mine Trail to the BRT trail and then loop back down Marge’s Trail and head back to the car.
The trail starts out gradual but soon begins to steepen. At first we were in a wooded forest with a fair number of dry leaves on the ground. We ascended steadily till we came to a beautiful outlook.
The outlook offers 180-degree views of the valley below. Liberty really had a good time at this stop. From here the trail merges with Marge’s trail for a bit. We reached the split shortly after the view and continued along the Ledges/Iron-Mine Trail.
We reached the section of trail that was an old road carved into the rock where they used to carry supplies up and down the mountain. There are also many large old growth trees located along the trail that deserve to be admired.
Shortly after we arrived at the first of two iron mines for which the trail is named after. There is a sign that marks the location and gives a bit of interesting history about the mine and the iron that was mined.
We continued up to the second mine and saw the same sign at the top of this one as well. Both mines were shallow cuts into the rock where the iron was found.
Around this point the trial starts to really steepen a bit and becomes a bit more rugged over rocks and ledges until we reached the BRT trail that runs along the ridge.
We followed the BRT trail down to a couple of viewpoints along the cut ski trails of Gunstock. We reached the entrance to Marge’s trail and started down.
This was a fun trial. This was more of a single-track trail that descends softly. We soon found a clearing that was for the old tow rope that would bring people up the mountain to ski down. It was cool to see how nature had taken over what was once an open ski slope on this side.
Soon after we came upon a large granite slab that the trail skirted around. It also offered some decent views with its wide opening. As we descended the trail started to level and leaves began to get thick and slippery again.
We found our self at the merging of the two trail again and soon we were at the opening of our first view. The trial leveled a little bit more and the leaves were piling up. They are slippery and I did end up taking a tumble. Nothing was hurt but it was a good reminder to take my time and watch my step.
From here we were at the kiosk in no time. Of course, Liberty has to put on her protest about not getting into the car about a 100 yards from the car so I had to carry her. Lol.
These trails were really a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the historical aspect with the iron mines. They maybe even some of my favorite in the whole Belknap Range.
