| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
West Baldface, Black Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
East Branch trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water is very low |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few minor blowdowns, not too hard to step over/ under |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Very thick undergrowth on the bushwhack to Black. |
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 | Bugs: |
Mosquitos, deer flies and black flies were intense but not the whole time, only certain spots. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found some plastic oil jugs on the old road on W. Baldface. Are those considered relics now? |
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 | Comments: |
A dump truck was piling gravel near the first gate, not sure what for. The road was fine.
Some tough bushwhacking to get these two. The forest roads off East Branch shown on Gaia do exist but are so overgrown in some parts you’re better off going alongside them. FR5039 reminded me of the herd path to Elephant with the thick spruce carwash. It was surprising when the woods changed from softwoods down low to all hardwoods and ferns on the upper half. I made good time on West Baldface and enjoyed the very fine views at the canister. I went back the same way. I headed up the eastern ridge to Black, I saw a road but it was better to the side of it. Thick undergrowth the whole way, but a pretty enjoyable forest. I snacked on plenty of raspberries. Some slight views at the obvious summit and jar, then I descended SE, loosely following FR238. It seemed like a very long hike but only took 6 hours for the whole 11 miles and 2,460 foot climb. So about an hour each way to the peaks from the trail. (6.5 miles of whacking and 4.5 on trail.) |
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 | Name: |
Carl G |
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 | E-Mail: |
calxjohnson@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-07-30 |
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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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