| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Baldface, South Baldface, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bicknell Ridge Trail, Baldface Circle Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 31, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No issues. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water crossing were not an issue. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Mosquitoes were out below 2000' yet were kept at bay by a steady wind. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None. |
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|
 | Comments: |
This was a really enjoyable hike. We clocked it at 9.85 miles, 4010' vertical, over 6 hours and 5 minutes. We opted to hike this route counter clockwise for better or for worse. The first 0.7 miles is essentially a flat approach. We then took the bicknell ridge trail and crosses Charles Brook, which was magnificent above the viewpoint at 2000'. It was breathtaking. I would describe it as a zig-zag ascent over rough, whitish, grippy granite with tons of views along the way. After reaching the ridge junction and being greeted by a tremendous view of the Presidentials and Carters the real fun started. Winds were steady at 20mph with gusts to 40. Was comfortable for much of the hike wearing a long john top, nylon pants, and gaitors. There was plenty of up-and-down and uneven slabs on the way to North Baldface. From the ridge junction to the summit, we needed a solid 40 plus minutes. There is a 20' patch of soft, springy snow just below the summit of North Baldface - no other snow on the trail. The descent off of North Baldface was rugged. I found it to be the hardest part of the day. South Baldface has a completely different character than North Baldface - gradual, slabby, etc. The dreaded baldface knob descent was steep and required care, yet was well marked and do-able. There were three tricky slabs that required me to sit down and slide on my bottom. The rest was just a scramble. There was one exposed slab maybe 25' that was intense. The rest did not have exposure. From there, it was an easy walk out along an old logging road. |
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 | Name: |
Picante |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-06-01 |
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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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