| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Baldface, North Baldface, Eagle Crag, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Slippery Brook Trail, Baldface Knob Trail, Baldface Circle Trail, Meader Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 21, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking is easy peasy lemon squeezy |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Only one major water crossing at the Baldface Circle-Emerald Pool Trail—-water flowing rapidly but with trekking poles able to carefully maneuver on boulders with dry feet |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Slipper Brook Trail has a few blowdowns easily stepped over, a few eroded spots they make for “tall” step ups. Baldface Circle Trail descent has several major blowdowns requiring reroute |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No doggos seen today. Having done the entire loop now, and seeing many of the no-fall zones and slick steep ledges, I wouldn’t recommend anything more than Eastman via Slippery Brook unless your doggo is VERY responsive to voice commands and doesn’t wander too far without you |
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 | Bugs: |
In the alpine zone we encountered nothing but a beautiful lady bug. Below the alpine zone? Mosquitos so bad we wanted to build a house on Eagle Crag to avoid the inevitable swat fest as we descended. Black flies abundant as well |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Despite Sunday’s 70 degree temps, Saturday’s rain made for some tricky trail conditions. Ascended Slippery Brook to snag the Baldfaces clockwise, and encountered a few muddy spots, along with tiny water crossings. Ledges heading up Bald Knob were mostly dry, but the sandy soil around it was soaked. Once on Baldface Circle Trail the ledges were dry enough to safely manage and the views were otherworldly! Col between South and North Baldface had running water, which was perfect for filtering. Plenty of moose signs as well, so watch where you step! A few stubborn patch as of snow remaining on North approach and descent, but easily avoidable. Descending North we left behind dry trails, and played “how far will we slide?” in any spots that weren’t in direct sunlight. Meader Trail to Eagle Crag was uneventful, which unfortunately couldn’t be said for the descent down Baldface Circle Trail! Be prepared: the first .3 mile decent is unbelievably steep, eroded, and WET. We used the booty for many spots to make sure we didn’t end up sliding off the right side of the cliff. After that, the trail was almost a repeat of Slippery Brook, but REALLY REALLY MUDDY. As in almost 70% of the trail had mud and standing/running water. When we do it again I’ll take Bicknell down and see if it’s less wet. |
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 | Name: |
Islandgirl |
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 | E-Mail: |
joannhall4@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-05-23 |
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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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