2,245 ft | Belknap | 1 route
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Gunstock Mountain are currently rated Moderate. At 3:20 AM ET it was 35°F at the summit (2,245 ft), feeling like 25°F, with WNW winds at 16 mph. The listed route, Belknap Traverse, is 19.4 miles point to point with 5,295 ft of elevation gain, taking about 9-15 hours. See the hour-by-hour Gunstock Mountain weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Gunstock Mountain Trail (1.0 mi) · Brook Trail (1.6 mi) · Ridge Trail (1.7 mi)
Feels like 25°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Cold, clear, and very windy conditions for a low-elevation, fully forested peak, with gusts into the 40s and a feels-like temperature near 10-25°F in the early morning. Light precipitation in the last 48 hours plus overnight lows near freezing means wet leaves, mud, and possibly icy patches on shaded trail sections. Wind should ease and temperatures climb later in the day, with Sunday looking calmer and drier.
Trailhead and summit are only about 245 feet apart, so temperatures differ by less than 2°F, but the summit is slightly windier and colder. The freezing level is well above the summit, so expect near-freezing conditions all the way up; dress in layers and add a windproof shell for the summit and any open sections.
Best Hiking Window
Saturday late morning through mid-afternoon, when temperatures are warmest and frost has thawed; Sunday offers clear skies and lighter precipitation risk for an even better window.
Last synthesized Oct 17, 3:20 AM ET
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28°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 28°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
10h 52m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 5:56 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Rising to 2,245 feet in the Belknap Range of central New Hampshire, this accessible summit sits near Lake Winnipesaukee and offers rewarding views that belie its modest elevation. As one of the Belknap 12 peaks, it draws hikers completing this popular regional peak-bagging list centered in the Lakes Region. The mountain is served by a network of ski trails and hiking paths associated with Gunstock Mountain Resort, giving it a somewhat unique character compared to more remote New Hampshire summits. Trails wind through mixed forest before opening to views of Lake Winnipesaukee, the surrounding foothills, and on clear days, the White Mountains to the north. The summit area provides limited but satisfying above-treeline exposure. Rated moderate, the hike suits hikers of varying experience levels, making it an excellent introduction to the Belknap 12 challenge while still delivering a genuinely scenic payoff.
Elevation
2,245 ft
Range
Belknap
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
43.5256, -71.3784
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.