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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Eastman Mountain, South Baldface, NH
Trails
Trails: Baldface Circle Trail, Slippery Brook Trail, Eastman Mountain Trail, Baldface Knob Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Lot off route 113 with trailhead a short distance north and across the street from the parking area. Latrine at lot. I did not try to go in to the outhouse. No fee lot. Only vehicle in lot at 8:00AM and 3:30PM. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Many small brooks on Slippery Brook Trail were easily crossed on rocks. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails in good condition. All tree falls were either on or near the ground. Some trees across the trail high overhead. No difficulty getting by all of these. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Fine for dogs 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Much of the trails are through hardwood forests so there are a lot of leaves on the trail. There are sufficient yellow blazes in the open forest areas with leaves hiding the pathway to help guide hikers on the route. Watch out for corridors that may be mistaken for the trail. There are long stretches of dry trail interrupted at times with mud areas that are semi frozen with some watery spots. On approach to the Eastman - Baldface col the snow cover increases to 1" to 2". I did not need to use traction for the hike up to Eastman Mountain. I opted to don the microspikes for the descent as there was some ice under the thin snow cover. I left the micropspikes on until returning out of the snow zone. The Baldface Knob Trail was mostly covered in snow progressively deepening on ascent with a bit of drifting in the open areas as one nears the Baldface Circle Trail. There was water pulsing under an ice cover up high on the Baldface Knob Trail. The ledges on the Baldface Knob Trail were mostly dry surfaces and any ice can be avoided. There were a couple of bare ground spots on the Baldface Knob Trail. The Baldface Circle Trail from the Baldface Knob Trail to the summit had drifts up to 2 feet deep interspersed with dry or icy ledges. I used the gaiters to keep out the snow when walking through the drifts. Snowshoes would be impractical since there are primarily bare ledges or surfaces with a low snow depth.
I had forgotten about the good views from Eastman Mountain. I found the best spot was an open ledge just south of the ledge with the cairn. As usual, the view from South Baldface was spectacular. The cloud ceiling stayed high enough to permit a view of Mt Washington.
Saw no other hikers today. Little to no wind made for a comfortable hike. Not sure how icy the ledges uphill of the Baldface Shelter may be.  
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: waumbek@roadrunner.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-11-17 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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