| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Eastman Mountain, Baldface Knob, South Baldface, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Slippery Brook Trail, Eastman Mountain Trail, Baldface Knob Trail, Baldface Circle Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
At the end of Slippery Brook Rd. (FR 17) in Chatham. The road is in fine condition all the way to the gate but watch for a few protruding rocks here and there. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Overall, this entire route was in good shape. The footpath portion of Slippery Brook Trail has one very small step over blowdown, needs a bit of brushing in places, has a busted bog bridge (that probably isn't necessary anyway), and is not blazed. Scree walls above treeline need to be rebuilt/better defined. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
I carried out a leather dog leash that was left by a cairn on Baldface Circle Trail. |
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 | Comments: |
The original plan for today was just Eastman, but with an early start and quick ascent on the very gradual southern portion of Slippery Brook Trail, I made good time up to the summit. With that, I decided to add on Baldface Knob and South Baldface since they were "right there" -- Eastman and South Baldface are only two miles apart by trail.
The morning started out wet but fortunately most ledges out in the open were dry. A gorgeous weather day with sunny skies, cool temps, and good foliage color, although overall it looks muted to me this year. The South Baldface summit was a tad chilly with the wind but having the sunshine helped.
After visiting Eastman today, I can begin to see the case for maybe removing it from the 52WAV list in the future. There are still some good views but they are mainly directional and the trees have definitely grown up in the last decade.
I encountered several hikers who were doing the loop over the Baldfaces and there was a mountain biker riding down South Baldface who was headed out over Baldface Knob then down the southern portion of Slippery Brook Trail. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-10-08 |
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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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