Bald Ledge (New Hampton) - Bald Ledge Trail, unknown trail - 3-6-2024

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Bald Ledge (New Hampton), NH

	Trails:	Bald Ledge Trail, unknown trail

	Date of Hike:	Wednesday, March 6, 2024

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	I don't recall exactly where the roads became dirt and muddy but I think they were paved until Sky Pond Rd. If so, Sky Pond Rd alone was dirt and very muddy. Considered turning around but decided to plow through and did okay with AWD. I'd expect to get stuck with just 2WD at the moment and I'd be cautious with AWD too, especially with today's rain. There's some major hills too, so it was a hard line between going to fast and losing control in the mud, not going too slow as to get stuck in a mud pit, and not having enough momentum to get up the hills; again, why I think AWD is doable but 2WD is not.

	Surface Conditions:	Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Small Patches

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:	Not sure what the name of it is, but the drainage the unknown trail crossed around 800ft was really flowing and steep/cascady enough to be dangerous in spots, namely where the trail crosses it. We could've crossed upstream a short ways more safely or waded but since this isn't needed for redlining anyway, we decided to turn around here. The small brook the true trail (road) crosses as described in the guidebook, is wide and high but very far from dangerous. After more rain today, you may have to get your boots wet but no biggie.

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	I don't recall any blowdowns but that doesn't mean there weren't any!

	Dog-Related Notes:	Sure

	Bugs:	None

	Lost and Found:	None


	Comments:	I'm not sure if the trail is blazed at all but I think there's a large sign for it on the side of the road at the start and turns on/off roads are signed as well. The spur trail is mainly or most recently marked with red disks with silver arrows inside of them I think but some older red and maybe yellow blaze is present as well, mostly further down. I redlined this last September but decided to return as I did not get the spur described in the guidebook. While the guidebook described the trail very accurately, I think the description of the spur is rather confusing. The way I read it, I think the spur is immediately after the turn onto the footpath but the only way this description isn't just totally incorrect is if it means after the trail leaves the Sky Pond State Forest boundary (which I noticed on the spur trail but not on the main trail). Basically, just before the trail ends at the viewpoint and you start to descend, look for a path on your left. It's no longer blazed in yellow, at least not here, but has red disks with silver arrows in them tacked to trees. Easy enough to walk by but shouldn't be hard to see if you're looking. After checking out the view from the main ledge, my friend and I descended this trail to the viewpoint (not quite 0.2mi) from the main view ledge. From here, we decided to continue along the trail just for the fun of it, in a NW direction. The trail roughly alternates between contouring above the steep cliffs and steep pitches. It crosses a very minor drainage then a major drainage which is where we turned around (see notes above). I hear the trail descends all the way down to West Shore Rd but that there isn't parking there. I haven't checked it out myself. The unknown trail/spur was mostly free of snow/ice but had one stretch of a few feet where spikes would have been helpful. The main trail was a muddy, snowy/icy mess at its start along the road. It eventually became more snow free and more pleasant. We brought spikes but did not use them and if doing it again I certainly wouldn't bother bringing them. Gaia had us at about 2.75mi, 400ft of gain, almost 1.5hrs.

	Name:	Liam Cooney and Crocamole

	E-Mail:	liamcooney96@gmail.com

	Date Submitted:	2024-03-07

	Link:	https://
		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.