| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Eastman Mountain, South Baldface, North Baldface, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Baldface Circle Trail, Slippery Brook Trail, Eastman Mountain Trail, Baldface Knob Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at large, gravel, designated lot off ME/NH 113. Looks to be able to hold 20-30 conscientiously parked cars. Privy at the lot was clean and stocked. Kiosk in good condition. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nothing of significance. Everything is so dry... |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
2 blowdowns on Eastman Mountain along with some over grown areas. Slippery Brook could use some fresh blazing in the next year or two. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
This route is good for dogs as it avoids the precipitous rock slabs leading up to South Baldface. It is dry, though. |
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 | Bugs: |
A few noseems down low. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
One moth-eaten wool shirt near the large carin at the junction of Baldface Knob and Baldface circle. It was total Swiss cheese. I packed it out and promptly trashed it. |
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 | Comments: |
Why return to one of the “25 Most Terrifying Trails of NH?†Two words: unfinished business.
Route: Baldface Circle Trail > Slippery Brook Trail > Eastman Mountain Trail > Baldface Knob Trail > Baldface Circle Trail
Though I did this route in the above order, this may be easier in the reverse order. Either way will work.
Baldface Circle Trail: the trail starts 200 feet down the road from the parking lot (turn right out of the parking area). There is a hiker sign near the road. From the jct with ME/NH 113 this is a well travelled, well defined footpath with yellow blazing to the first junction. The signs are up at this junction and are in good shape. I went left to access Slippery Brook. Going right takes you up Baldface Circle Trail towards the north peak. More yellow blazing led me though the open woods to the next junction.
Slippery Brook Trail: good yellow blazing until, I dunno. After wiping the cobwebs and sweat out of my eyes, I realized I hadn’t seen a blaze in a while. Checked the GPS and I was at 2.67 miles. This would be 1.67 miles in on the Slippery. IThe footpath is blatantly obvious, regardless of blazes. Then, about 0.25 miles later, the blazes pick right back up for another 0.5 miles or so. Then they stop again. No matter, the corridor is clear. All signs at the junction were up and in good shape.
Eastman Mountain Trail: there are 6 yellow blazes (5 metal, one painted) on the way up. The footbed is simple to follow with only one section with encroaching vegetation. Carins are in place. There are the equivalent metal yellow blazes marking the way back. I really liked this little trail. Good views of Washington, South Baldface, and the southern end of the Presidential range.
Baldface Knob Trail: there are some blue diamonds for a short segment after the jct with Slippery Brook/ Eastman Mountain trails. Then there are double blue diamonds and a large blue sign with an arrow pointing down the Knob. This is apparently some kind of cross country ski trail. Man, that would be a tough one... Anyway, after that there are no blazes. The footbed is defined and simple to follow. Some brushy areas but not so much they obstruct the trail. Some steep sections that scramble up ledges but offer phenomenal views. These ledges are simple to negotiate and are not exposed. When you reach the alpine carins they guide the way to the next jct. Bear scat along this path.
Baldface Circle Trail: I had already tortured myself last year on the southern portion of this trail, thus I joined it ABOVE the freaking ludicrously steep slab scrambles. There are large carins marking the path to the summit and along the ridge to North Baldpate summit. There are also yellow blazes along this route. Signage at each summit and at junctions are up and in great shape. Once descending back down Baldface Circle Trail (away from the north summit), there are fresh yellow blazes all the way down to the end. Take note, I see why the Guide recommends ascending South Baldface and descending north Baldface. It is soooo much easier to get down the trail after north Baldface. There are only 4 tricky ledge sections, and these are not terribly bad. You are surrounded by trees and the rocks are rough giving way to lots of friction. I really had no issues at all.
I got my views today. No wonder these peaks are on the “52 With a View†list. Gorgeous. So glad I decided to redo these peaks to see what I missed. Also saw a bald eagle soaring up on the wind currents in front of Washington. Epic. |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-09-09 |
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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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