| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bald Land Trail, Scenic Vista Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 18, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
About a half dozen cars there when I arrived around 12:30pm. Room for a couple more. I saw people up on the hill to the right of the parking area so perhaps you can also park up there? You’d probably need 4WD to get up there. The road to this point had some ice so I’d go slow since slamming on your breaks won’t work but should be doable by any car. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Just a couple small brooks to awkwardly lunge across in snowshoes. No biggie. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I don’t think there were any blowdowns! The trail isn’t really blazed other than a blue diamond in a spot or two for the ski trail and the new blue blazed spur from the former scenic vista (see comments below!). That said, it was still pretty easy to follow given that it’s a road for most of its length and there is new signage at some intersections which is helpful. I might carry the guidebook or a GPS with the trail if you’re likely to forget the directions from the guidebook (I checked Gaia at an intersection or two rather than dig my guidebook out of my pack). A few things to note in particular, 1) the right hand turn off East Pasture Trail is after the first trail jct (3-way intersection with X-C ski trails), 2) where the trail bears right off the road 100 yards after the scenic vista spur would be easy to miss (there’s a new sign but it’s very small, white, and was partially obscured by a branch), and 3)
when you intersect a logging road at 2.1mi you go straight across it rather than turn onto it (the trail on the other side wasn’t obvious when you came to it). Also, if ascending from East Branch Rd, the scenic vista would be dead ahead and it’d be easy to miss where the trail turns right here. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Should be a fine trail for dogs.
Three dogs came barking down the trail as I was getting ready looking a bit aggressive. They got too close for comfort but didn’t bite. The dog owners eventually walked down and I asked them to get their dogs under control. They were either oblivious or didn’t care about the fact I was uncomfortable. They informed me that their dogs have never bit anything. While that’s great to hear now, I didn’t know that when they were running towards me and you were nowhere to be seen. If your dog is the type to bark at or charge people, it should either be leashed or on strict voice control at all times. Otherwise you’re asking for your dog to get hurt. Please be courteous of others. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Nice little redlining while recovering from a cold. I think it was in the high teens both when I arrived at 12:30pm and left around 3:30. Figured it’d be cold enough for a 4 layers but I was sweating in no time like usual :)
The trail was broken most of the way by skiers and a barebooter that did some damage. He apologized for not having snowshoes and explained that he left his at home because he didn’t think there would be enough snow for them. Luckily the damage was minimal as it was somewhat packed and the snow depth doesn’t amount to a whole lot. Plus, myself, and two other snowshoers (nice to meet you fellow redliner Brian and Sarah!) smoothed things out pretty well. I decided to go right over the ski tracks in hopes that I could smooth things out. I figured the skiers wouldn’t mind that. The trail has nice grades for snowshoeing.
The only parts I really broke trail on were the scenic vista and after the turnoff off the road. After the last stream crossings near East Branch Rd it looks like someone tried to come up with some sort of snow vehicle but had to turn around because of the stream not being bridged. When you come to the former scenic vista there is a tiny little loop around the pine trees. Taking the left loop, you’ll soon see a double blue blaze heading into the woods. This is a relatively new spur trail that leads to a scenic vista similar to the one you might have seen at the old scenic vista before it became overgrown. The spur isn’t signed but it is profiusely blazed in blue (over green blazes which appeared once or twice). It’s a bit steep and was a pain in unbroken powder but is probably only about a tenth of a mile and has a nice view towards Carrigain and Stairs Mtn. Further around the little loop there is a fine stand of birches and what appeared to be an old road descending here but I don’t see it on any maps...hmm.
Only a couple spots where the powder turned to ice and leaves. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-01-19 |
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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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