| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Baldface, South Baldface, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Baldface Circle Trail, Bicknell Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 19, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Moderate sized dirt lot with an outhouse (which was filthy today); not a fee area. About 4 cars at 7AM. Full lot with many cars on road when I left at 3PM. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Two river crossings on lower part of north section of Baldface Circle. Both were moderately easy and may involve a wet foot or two depending on line you choose. A few other very small brooks all very easy. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails all well blazed and had plenty off cairns (the cairns are much smaller on North section and Bicknell ridge but still easy enough to follow). All structures in good shape (log bridges, stone steps, drainage ditches,etc). There was one small new blowdowwn at about 1800' on Bicknell Ridge trail. Easy step over. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The ledges on South Baldface would be a problem for most dogs. Otherwise these trails are OK. There really is no water for a very long stretch though. A guy with his dog caught up to me on Bicknell ridge and he was panting hard. |
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 | Bugs: |
Some mosquitos early. Some bites so I put a light coat of Bens on and wasn't bothered for the rest of the day. Light breeze above treeline kept things clear. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
There was a black winter hat and a Boston Red Sox cap at the Baldface shelter AM. Positioned in such a way that seemed they were intentionally left there so I left behind. |
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 | Comments: |
Trails in pretty good shape today. There were a few stretches of mud and wet rocks here and there. Worst section of day was from junction with Bicknell ad Baldface trails down to the other river crossing. Was very wet there with slick rocks and ledge, standing water and mud. There was also a short, wet stretch of ledges early on climbing South Baldface that required some care. (I didn't find these ledges that bad and would go up or down them on a dry day. I'd avoid the whole loop on a wet day. Too much ledge.) Otherwise dry for the most part. The footing was surprisingly good everywhere. I was expecting tougher footing based on AMC Guide. The last 1/4 mile or so on both sides of North Baldface was very steep with some rugged scrambles and there some awkward ledges descending to junction with Bicknell Ridge Trail. Blueberry bushes are in full bloom on the lower ledges! |
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 | Name: |
DayTrip |
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 | E-Mail: |
bblanchette0709@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-07-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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