Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Baldface Knob, South Baldface, North Baldface, Eagle Crag, Eagle Cascade, NH |
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| Trails: |
Baldface Circle Trail, Slippery Brook Trail, Baldface Knob Trail, Meader Ridge Trail, Bicknell Ridge Trail, Eagle Cascade Link |
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| Date of Hike: |
Thursday, November 11, 2021 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room at the Baldface Circle parking lot. I was the first one there around 6am. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
All of the crossings encountered were low and easily hopped. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Overall, everything was in good shape. Eagle Cascade Link is a little odd in that it is only blazed below the cascade. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
This loop marked the finish of my third complete round of the "59 With A View" (the current 52WAV peaks plus the seven delisted ones; I'm also well into a fourth and fifth round), with Eagle Crag also being the 276th visit to a 52WAV destination. I had originally planned to complete this goal last year but other commitments took priority.
Conditions were pretty amazing for November. Some areas of mud and water in the lower hardwood sections, with heavy leaf cover obscuring the footing. Above treeline and along ledgy/scrambly areas, everything was dried out from the previous evening's rain. There were some patches of black ice to be on the lookout for but nothing at all that warranted using traction (which I carried and which will be necessary after today). I ascended to the ridge via Slippery Brook Trail as I was unsure of the ledges being icy on South Baldface, but I met a hiker who came up that way and said it was fine (different story today with the current monsoon). For the descent I took the side trip to Eagle Cascade which is a very cool spot. The best viewing area is from a flat ledge at the base of the falls.
Weather was spectacular with clear skies, just a light breeze, and temps in the lower 40s, which all combined or very long views in all directions. The Presidentials were glowing with a fresh coating of snow. Because of the great weather, I expected to see more people out, but I only encountered one other hiker on the summits and a few more down lower. |
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| Name: |
KenM |
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| E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-11-12 |
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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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