Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
South Baldface, North Baldface, NH |
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| Trails: |
Baldface Circle Trail, Bicknell Ridge Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 3, 2018 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at Baldface Circle trailhead on 113, lot had hard ice in the morning, soft in the early evening when we returned. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
Only two crossings of note, the branch brook at the bottom of Bicknell Ridge Trail, and Charles Brook on Baldface Circle Trail. Both had snow/ice bridges in place, but they probably won't survive many more warm days. Ice thin in spots, make sure to test anything you're about to step on with your poles. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One stepover blowdown that has been limbed on the lower 0.7 of Baldface Circle Trail, otherwise trails in great shape. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Got in a great winter trip over the Baldfaces yesterday, with some sun and clouds, decently strong winds from the north, and comfortable temperatures. Trail was firm in the morning up to Baldface Shelter, then we began our ascent of the ledges. Some sections are bare rock, others were fully buried, while there was a thin snow/ice veneer on others. More warm days will see this return to just rock. Above the ledges was more of the same, but good going. Beyond South, the trail became softer and deeper, with patches of ice on the steeps over to North and to the Bicknell Ridge junction. Bicknell Ridge was a mix of bare rock, and patches of snow up high, then turned into posthole hell down low from the hikers before us. Snowshoes would have been overkill, as the snowpack was maybe a foot deep, but was so soft you would have punched through whatever you were wearing. Once back on the Circle Trail, the postholing stopped, and it was a good cruise out. Thanks to Rachel, Suzy, and Alvaro for a great day on the quiet side of the Whites. |
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| Name: |
Bill Robichaud |
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| E-Mail: |
bill.robichaud@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-03-04 |
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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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