Hike: AT Trapper John to Gilman's Corner

April 18, 2021 · hiking

When I woke up with the birds at Trapper John Shelter, I made coffee and breakfast and started a fire in the stone chimney in front of the shelter. It was a quick hike down to Dartmouth Skiway where I met Jeff and we shuffled our cars, so we’d have one at the parking area for the end of the day. There were a lot of people out at Smarts Mountain, a New Hampshire 200 Highest, but the trail beyond the summit had not been broken out. I was feeling wet and cold at that point from pushing through the snowy trees, so there was a moment of doubt about continuing. But we pushed on, and the fast hike/jog down J Trail on the northern face of Smarts Mountain was one of my favorite parts of the day. After climbing Mount Cube, another NH200, with its nice views and unique quartz summit, we finished at my car at Gilman’s Corner. This and the previous day’s hike completed a nice 30+ miles section of the New Hampshire Appalachian Trail for me.

ROUTE

• Started at Trapper John Shelter
• Hiked up Trapper John Shelter Spur to intersection with Holts Ledge Trail
• Left on Holts Ledge Trail to Dorchester Road
• Right on Dorchester Road to Dartmouth Skiway Parking
• Moved my vehicle from Dartmouth Lot A parking to Gilman’s Corner parking
• Left on Dorchester Road to Lambert Ridge Trail
• Right on Lambert Ridge Trail to summit of Smarts Mountain
• Straight on J Trail to Kodak Trail
• Straight on Kodak Trail to summit of Mount Cube
• Right on Mount Cube Trail to car at Gilman’s Corner

PHOTOS

STATS

Date: 18 April 2021
Distance: 16.4 miles
Moving Time: 06:47:37
Pace: 24:48/mile
Elevation Gain: 5256′

Tracing White Mountains Trails:
Holts Ledge Trail
Lambert Ridge Trail
J Trail
Kodak Trail