South & North Baldface 10-15-20
South Baldface 3570' and North Baldface 3610'
Baldface Circle Trail
9.8 Miles 3600' Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy & Wicket
It had been many, many years since I had hiked this loop, far too many. Judy had been once since our last hike together there, during a time when my right hip would just not allow me to make hikes like this.
On the two or three most recent hikes we had made here years before we had avoided the ledges on South Baldface by using the Slippery Brook Trail to ascend. This takes you over Baldface Knob to the plateau below South Baldface summit and avoids the sketchy ledges altogether.
On this hike we would ascend the ledges once again, this time with Wicket, who had never been to the Baldies before. Taking the clockwise route we found ourselves at the Baldface Shelter sooner than I expected, and I was glad to see that we were making what was good time for us.
After some snacks and a drink, and a conversation with another couple with a dog whose hike we would leapfrog several times during the day, we were off. As we came to the lower ledges adjacent to the shelter I was immediately overcome with a flood of memories.
She was such a huge part of our hiking days for so long I thought for just a brief second while Wicket was scrambling up the first ledge that I saw Emma waiting for her at the top, leading our group, and showing Wicket the way.
I often feel her presence on our hikes and have to admit that sometimes I am overwhelmed by memories of her. When returning to many of these hikes Judy and I have often looked at each other and wondered how on earth that little dog got through the obstacles which faced her diminutive stature.
Wicket is built better for the rigors of the trail than Emma ever was, but Emma's indomitable spirit and gutsy determination made her unmatchable in that aspect.
So many times when I looked ahead and saw difficult sections coming up I would wonder how Emma would manage it, and by the time it took me to formulate that thought, there she would be on top of whatever perceived difficulty I would imagine was in her way.
In the past three years Wicket has come into her own and proven herself to be a great trail dog as well, and I often think that perhaps there's a little black spirit dog who guides her and has taught her the way of the wood.
The lower ledges were wet and slick. There was actually running water in a few places as we began the scramble up to higher ground. Wicket managed to lead us through most of this, and like Emma, she needed a quick boost in one or two spots, but otherwise managed them well.
As I ascended I remembered how much I loved this hike, and how much I loved the surrounding area, Kevin's Notch! I stopped often to take in the sights, and to take tons of pictures. We had a beautiful, cool, crisp, and most important of all, bug-less day.
As we clamored over huge boulders and skipped across open ledges I was reminded of a night we had spent at a tent site near the shelter, and how we had made an ascent to the plateau that evening, descending back down to the tent for the night, then watching sunrise from the lower ledges the next morning.
After breakfast on that trip we again ascended these same ledges, this time continuing on to the summit of South Baldie, and then on to North Baldie before retracing our steps, descending the ledges once again to our campsite to retrieve our gear, and packing back out.
Obviously we were in better shape and somewhat more ambitious in those days, quite a bit younger, too, but today was proving a great day as well, and there would be no returning to descend these ledges scheduled for this hike as we would be continuing on and making the full 'Circle" today.
The higher you get on the ledges the more they begin to "level" off, though it is still a stiff ascent before reaching what we call "The Plateau", one of our most favorite spots in all of the mountains. Sunset, or sunrise for that matter, from this particular spot is an agreed upon "Best Experience" for the both of us, and I am sure Emma would concur.
I often wonder while we're returning to places where in the past we have spent an overnight if I have the strength and energy to return to those days, it has been many years since I was physically able to make such endeavors, though now it seems my legs are stronger than they were then, now that I have a new hip.
As we hiked the last few yards up to this plateau I was again flooded with memories of Emma and our previous trips to this spot. We stepped out from the shelter of that arm of the mountain and into a stiff east breeze that despite the abundant sunshine gave us a bit of a chill.
Taking what shelter we could behind a large cairn we had a quick lunch before tackling the next section between the plateau and the summit of South Baldie. Although it is also a bit ledgy, it poses no obstacles like the lower ledges and we soon found ourselves standing on the summit and taking in the views.
Here the view expands, having been blocked from sight by the ridge that lies between South and North Baldie. Much of the White Mountain National Forest lying to the south and west here becomes visible.
Views to the south and southwest include Mount Chocorua and the Sandwich Range, and more to the west the Carter Range is nearest, with Mount Washington peaking over its shoulder at us. To the northwest the Moriah's peek back at us. I love this place!
As we drop down from the summit and begin in a northwest direction towards North Baldie we once again enjoy the protection of the mountain from the east wind. The sun is warm, and the day is beautiful!
Dropping down into the col between peaks I am reminded that there are still a couple of scrambles left before topping out on North Baldie. Jude and Wicket are ahead of me as usual, and I amble along taking in at first the distant views, then the surrounding forest as we bottom out and then begin to rise again.
We take a break again on the summit, actually dropping a few feet down and away from the summit cairn to a stone wind block, but it offers no real protection, so we don jackets and have a quick bite before picking up our packs and beginning the second half of the loop, the return trip.
There are several tricky drops and wet ledges as we drop back down into the forest from North Baldie, and several ups and downs before we reach the trail junction near Eagle Crag where the Baldface Circle Trail turns east and begins its descent. The in between from the summit to this point reminds me that every hike is "Uphill Both Ways"!
The descent from here is sharp, over wet ledges and some tricky spots, but we move along carefully, and the "Slippery Slopes" are soon left behind. This descent is less sketchy than the ascent of the southern ledges, but at this point of the hike, we are glad to have them behind us all the same.
Having descended now back into colorful hardwoods the hike out is basically just mileage, with no tricky sections to slow us down. The afternoon sun is filtering through the trees and casting a golden light on our surroundings, reminding us just how much we love the mountains and the Autumn woods in general.
We stopped at Emerald pool on the way out, and I wished it was a little warmer out which would have tempted me to take the plunge once gain, but I refrained. Maybe next year! We were amused to pass three elderly women on the trail out who reeked of marijuana. I'm pretty sure they could find their way back out without our assistance.
Read MoreBaldface Circle Trail
9.8 Miles 3600' Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy & Wicket
It had been many, many years since I had hiked this loop, far too many. Judy had been once since our last hike together there, during a time when my right hip would just not allow me to make hikes like this.
On the two or three most recent hikes we had made here years before we had avoided the ledges on South Baldface by using the Slippery Brook Trail to ascend. This takes you over Baldface Knob to the plateau below South Baldface summit and avoids the sketchy ledges altogether.
On this hike we would ascend the ledges once again, this time with Wicket, who had never been to the Baldies before. Taking the clockwise route we found ourselves at the Baldface Shelter sooner than I expected, and I was glad to see that we were making what was good time for us.
After some snacks and a drink, and a conversation with another couple with a dog whose hike we would leapfrog several times during the day, we were off. As we came to the lower ledges adjacent to the shelter I was immediately overcome with a flood of memories.
She was such a huge part of our hiking days for so long I thought for just a brief second while Wicket was scrambling up the first ledge that I saw Emma waiting for her at the top, leading our group, and showing Wicket the way.
I often feel her presence on our hikes and have to admit that sometimes I am overwhelmed by memories of her. When returning to many of these hikes Judy and I have often looked at each other and wondered how on earth that little dog got through the obstacles which faced her diminutive stature.
Wicket is built better for the rigors of the trail than Emma ever was, but Emma's indomitable spirit and gutsy determination made her unmatchable in that aspect.
So many times when I looked ahead and saw difficult sections coming up I would wonder how Emma would manage it, and by the time it took me to formulate that thought, there she would be on top of whatever perceived difficulty I would imagine was in her way.
In the past three years Wicket has come into her own and proven herself to be a great trail dog as well, and I often think that perhaps there's a little black spirit dog who guides her and has taught her the way of the wood.
The lower ledges were wet and slick. There was actually running water in a few places as we began the scramble up to higher ground. Wicket managed to lead us through most of this, and like Emma, she needed a quick boost in one or two spots, but otherwise managed them well.
As I ascended I remembered how much I loved this hike, and how much I loved the surrounding area, Kevin's Notch! I stopped often to take in the sights, and to take tons of pictures. We had a beautiful, cool, crisp, and most important of all, bug-less day.
As we clamored over huge boulders and skipped across open ledges I was reminded of a night we had spent at a tent site near the shelter, and how we had made an ascent to the plateau that evening, descending back down to the tent for the night, then watching sunrise from the lower ledges the next morning.
After breakfast on that trip we again ascended these same ledges, this time continuing on to the summit of South Baldie, and then on to North Baldie before retracing our steps, descending the ledges once again to our campsite to retrieve our gear, and packing back out.
Obviously we were in better shape and somewhat more ambitious in those days, quite a bit younger, too, but today was proving a great day as well, and there would be no returning to descend these ledges scheduled for this hike as we would be continuing on and making the full 'Circle" today.
The higher you get on the ledges the more they begin to "level" off, though it is still a stiff ascent before reaching what we call "The Plateau", one of our most favorite spots in all of the mountains. Sunset, or sunrise for that matter, from this particular spot is an agreed upon "Best Experience" for the both of us, and I am sure Emma would concur.
I often wonder while we're returning to places where in the past we have spent an overnight if I have the strength and energy to return to those days, it has been many years since I was physically able to make such endeavors, though now it seems my legs are stronger than they were then, now that I have a new hip.
As we hiked the last few yards up to this plateau I was again flooded with memories of Emma and our previous trips to this spot. We stepped out from the shelter of that arm of the mountain and into a stiff east breeze that despite the abundant sunshine gave us a bit of a chill.
Taking what shelter we could behind a large cairn we had a quick lunch before tackling the next section between the plateau and the summit of South Baldie. Although it is also a bit ledgy, it poses no obstacles like the lower ledges and we soon found ourselves standing on the summit and taking in the views.
Here the view expands, having been blocked from sight by the ridge that lies between South and North Baldie. Much of the White Mountain National Forest lying to the south and west here becomes visible.
Views to the south and southwest include Mount Chocorua and the Sandwich Range, and more to the west the Carter Range is nearest, with Mount Washington peaking over its shoulder at us. To the northwest the Moriah's peek back at us. I love this place!
As we drop down from the summit and begin in a northwest direction towards North Baldie we once again enjoy the protection of the mountain from the east wind. The sun is warm, and the day is beautiful!
Dropping down into the col between peaks I am reminded that there are still a couple of scrambles left before topping out on North Baldie. Jude and Wicket are ahead of me as usual, and I amble along taking in at first the distant views, then the surrounding forest as we bottom out and then begin to rise again.
We take a break again on the summit, actually dropping a few feet down and away from the summit cairn to a stone wind block, but it offers no real protection, so we don jackets and have a quick bite before picking up our packs and beginning the second half of the loop, the return trip.
There are several tricky drops and wet ledges as we drop back down into the forest from North Baldie, and several ups and downs before we reach the trail junction near Eagle Crag where the Baldface Circle Trail turns east and begins its descent. The in between from the summit to this point reminds me that every hike is "Uphill Both Ways"!
The descent from here is sharp, over wet ledges and some tricky spots, but we move along carefully, and the "Slippery Slopes" are soon left behind. This descent is less sketchy than the ascent of the southern ledges, but at this point of the hike, we are glad to have them behind us all the same.
Having descended now back into colorful hardwoods the hike out is basically just mileage, with no tricky sections to slow us down. The afternoon sun is filtering through the trees and casting a golden light on our surroundings, reminding us just how much we love the mountains and the Autumn woods in general.
We stopped at Emerald pool on the way out, and I wished it was a little warmer out which would have tempted me to take the plunge once gain, but I refrained. Maybe next year! We were amused to pass three elderly women on the trail out who reeked of marijuana. I'm pretty sure they could find their way back out without our assistance.
