1,890 ft | Belknap | 1 route
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Straightback Mountain are currently rated Moderate. At 3:20 AM ET it was 37°F at the summit (1,890 ft), feeling like 26°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 Straightback Mountain weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Straightback Mountain Trail (0.9 mi) · Belknap Range Trail (1.6 mi)
Feels like 26°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Cold, clear conditions with strong, gusty west-northwest winds make this a chilly outing despite the modest elevation. Expect wind chill near the low teens at the summit with gusts to 36 mph, and possible icy or frozen patches on trails after recent rain and sub-freezing overnight lows. Sunday looks calmer and warmer, so a morning start then is the better option.
The trailhead and summit are close in elevation, so temperatures are nearly identical (roughly 29-45°F) with wind chill around 11-12°F at both; there is no significant elevation transition. Dress in a base layer, insulating mid-layer, and windproof shell, and add layers for breezy ridge or open sections, but expect to warm up quickly while moving.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday late morning through mid-afternoon looks best (clear, 0% precip, high near 48°F, lighter winds expected). If hiking Saturday, wait until the late-morning to afternoon warm-up and expect persistent wind.
Last synthesized Oct 17, 3:20 AM ET
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29°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 29°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 1,890 feet in the Belknap Range of central New Hampshire, this moderate peak sits within the compact cluster of summits that make up the popular Belknap 12 hiking challenge. Located in the Lakes Region near Gilford and Laconia, Straightback Mountain offers hikers a rewarding outing without requiring an all-day commitment. The trails here wind through mixed hardwood and conifer forest typical of the region's lower elevation ranges. While the summit is largely wooded, partial views of the surrounding Lakes Region landscape reward those who explore the upper reaches. The mountain's straightforward character makes it an accessible stepping stone for hikers working through the Belknap 12 list, while still providing enough elevation gain to feel like a genuine accomplishment. Its proximity to neighboring Belknap peaks also makes it a natural candidate for multi-summit days in this scenic central New Hampshire range.
Elevation
1,890 ft
Range
Belknap
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
43.5064, -71.3005
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
1 incident on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
31-year-old scout leader and two 14-year-old scouts from a Boy Scout Troop based in Brookline, MA
Three hikers — a scout leader and two teenage scouts — became lost after leaving their main group at the summit of Straightback Mountain and going off-trail while heading toward Mount Anna and back to Camp Bell in Gilmanton. They were located by a State Police helicopter using night-vision and FLIR technology at 10:12 p.m., more than two miles from camp and about 200 yards from a main trail. The hikers were cold and tired but uninjured, and hiked out on their own with the rescue team.