NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Little Baldpate Mountain, Baldpate Mountain - East Peak, ME
Trails
Trails: Appalachian Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, November 4, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Small dirt parking area on the right (west side) of East B Hill Rd. Can hold 5 cars. There is a hiker crossing sign (yellow, DOT type) on the road 0.25 miles before the parking area. East B Hill Rd is paved from Andover. I do not know if this road or parking area is plowed in winter. This is a lightly used road so roadside parking should not be an issue. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All rock hoppable. Wonderful crossing at the top of Dunn Falls. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The AT is blazed in 2x6 inch white blazes. This section is very well blazed, good distance between blazes, and turns are correctly marked with double blazes. Signs are present, show a lot of wear, but are legible. Recent blazing on the section from East B Hill Rd to the Dunn Falls. The sign for the Cataract Trail fell. It is lying next to the tree it fell from. Despite the recent wind storms, only 4 blow downs block the trail. One is able to be traversed by walking along the trunks. The others have to be bushwhacked around. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: No issues for dogs. 
Bugs
Bugs: Nope! 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: I was on the hunt for a winter approach to the west peak of Baldpate. Not too sure this is a viable winter option due to the steep grade up rock slabs when emerging from the scrub. Would need full crampons and maybe an ice ax for one very steep part. But back to today’s hike:

There is significant leaf litter coating the trail all the way to the rock slabs approx 0.5 miles below the summit. The blazes keep you on trail. It is helpful to be acquainted to AT layouts and general trail construction this time of year. Makes it easier to “see” the trail. But with the leaves on the ground, the views emerge. Very nice views of surrounding mountains on the way up. Wonderful view of the west peak after climbing out of Frye Notch. There are 360 degree views at the summit, very nice!

Just before emerging from the scrub there are two ladders. One is metal, the other wood. Both are secure (though the wood one was covered in ice). The wood one also has a rope. This rope is infinitely useful in getting yourself up a 6 foot, steep slab of rock. The rope held my weight. I bet I looked like a turtle shimming up and across this slab with that rope...

There was a significant amount of ice. This will likely be there until late spring. This side of Baldpate gets little to no direct sun until the Earth tilts back. Traction is a must from here until spring melt. There is nothing but ice covered rock on the summit approach (this is after you climb past Frye shelter and out of Frye Notch).

Saw one enormous male moose along the col just after Frye Notch. Of course, he decided his best escape route from me was along the AT heading where I was going... Oh well. At least he cleared the cobwebs!!

Not another soul on this trail today. I wore blaze orange as the surrounding woods are popular hunting grounds and it is officially hunting season.  
Name
Name: Remington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-11-04 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved