| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Baldface, South Baldface, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Baldface Circle Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 7, 2021 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking lot was full by 9AM. Mostly X-country & backcountry skiers, not many hikers out today. Parking on the side of the road is fine. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction, Ice Axe |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
N/A |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns on trail but nothing that couldn't be stepped around or over. Will need to be taken care of before Spring or else trail erosion may ensue. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
NOT a trail for dogs in winter. |
|
 | Bugs: |
We get closer to black fly season with each passing day... *shudder* |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
N/A |
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|
 | Comments: |
I'm writing this report because there seems to be almost no information on hiking this trail in winter, and many people I've seen on this trail are not bringing the gear to travel safely. This trail is doable with just spikes and poles, but I would not consider it safe, especially with the current freeze/thaw cycle. I attempted this hike a week before the 7th and had to turn back because mircospikes were not cutting it on the icy, exposed, and very steep sections coming up south baldface. I came back on the 7th with crampons and an axe (doable without and axe but being able to self belay greatly improved my confidence) and the whole experience felt much safer and controlled. Snowshoes could also be used between the two peaks but I stuck with crampon since the majority of the trail is windswept with a layer of hard ice over unpacked snow (sorry for the postholes in the tree sections, could've switched to shoes then but this trail doesn't see enough traffic to warrant it and I still felt better with crampons!). I didn't find I needed any traction until the shelter but I was wearing mountaineering boots so YMMV.
I set out to solo hike this but ended up teaming with another solo hiker, Owen, as well as two women whose name I didn't quite catch. I'm very glad the four of us worked together because though this trail isn't particularly long, it is not well marked in the tree sections and having another few sets of eyes to find trail was incredibly helpful. The section right past the eagle link sign was very hard to navigate but if you follow the nearly buried cairns off to the left, you should be able to work out where the trail leads (down into a massive snow covered rock, then down to your left again, you should spot a yellow blaze.
The last section coming down from north baldface is also quite steep, and you may find it easiest to glissade down, just be careful not to run into any trees!
On a nice day, this is one of the best hikes in all of New England, and these two mountains are my personal favorite (and anyone who hikes them quickly adds them to their top 5). The views are spectacular, and the feeling of accomplishment when completing this hike in any season is incredible, and in winter, this feels almost like a mountaineering adventure at times.
I've included an Imgur gallery with pictures so you can get an idea of what the hike is like (thank you Owen for the photos!).
Happy trails, be safe! |
|
 | Name: |
Isaak |
|
 | E-Mail: |
isaak.bosma@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2021-03-11 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://imgur.com/gallery/RuA0EQJ |
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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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