Tuco
New member
Since reading through the WMG and seeing how they refer to the Baldface Circle trail as one of the most attractive trips in the Whites I have wanted to do this and behold after 6 weeks of total inactivity from exertion I had time.
Standard 4am wakeup and 4:30 on the road, hit the lot at 710. Suprised when 4 cars hit the lot right after me- not used to that so early in the am. Nice little drive up 113 through Maine and NH, really peaceful and remote.
Gotta love a parking lot with a nice clean bathroom! Hit the trail at 7:30, crossed the street and into the woods. Beauuuutiful morning, birds chirping and a nice breeze. First junction was for the Emerald Pool and the cutoff to South Baldface. I figured to hit the Emerald Pool later so I went off to the cutoff. True Tuco style, missed the trail immediately and wandered in the woods for 5 minutes before doubling back. Real easy grade at this point, and then hit the cutoff trail for Chandler Gorge, a .5m loop. Headed down it, and you drop to a sort of small flume for about ¼ long. The trail rises until there is basically a gorge that the water is running through.
Back on trail, grade continues really easily until passing the Slippery Brook trail junction and then it starts to rise up pretty good. Ran into a nice local couple doing the loop, and chatted for a bit and ended up leap frogging with them all day. After hitting the South Baldface Shelter- again I missed the trail but a larger group pointed me in the right direction- The trail goes up very steeply and into the open onto rock ledges. For the next mile or so its basically climbing up and over steep rock ledges. Would not want to go down this, and would never go up it myself in the rain. After getting over the ledges, it was more climbing but an easier grade with smaller rocks to step on.
Here I met Ginger, the dog, who finished her 48 4k’s last year. It’s the 4th dog this year I met to have done so. A little more climbing and a girl went by me who had no gear and was running the trail. She walked by me, but I saw her pick up the jog later on the way up to South Baldface. Started cramping badly here, and had to continually rest on the final summit approach to allow my legs to make it. Drank a lot, but my legs were not happy. Summitted, surprised at how strong the wind was and how cool it was. A quick snack and hit the trail to N Baldface. Neat walking in and out of small trees with great views as well. Went up to the Summit, and again very windy. Had lunch enjoyed the great 360 views all around- looked as if there were clouds over Mt. Washington. Headed down the trail and looped below treeline. At first, this was very steep going down, but then it leveled off into a very easy hike back to the car.
Hit the Emerald Pool junction and saw a lot of people walking up the trail in flip flops, beach hats and with beach towels. Decided at this point that going home was the best plan. In the lot- there was a VFTT sticker sighting- a ford explorer if I recall.
I REALLY loved this hike- and will do it again on a day when I am in better shape- my legs cramped so badly at times I was having trouble getting going. Also- got a new camera system- bought an eagle creek bag that slings over my shoulder so I can put my video and digital camera in front of me for very easy access. Of course- next time I will be sure that my 15 year old daughter actually charges the digital, only have moving pictures of this hike.
Sorry for the long report fro such a small hike. Enjoyed it so much had fun writing about it.
Standard 4am wakeup and 4:30 on the road, hit the lot at 710. Suprised when 4 cars hit the lot right after me- not used to that so early in the am. Nice little drive up 113 through Maine and NH, really peaceful and remote.
Gotta love a parking lot with a nice clean bathroom! Hit the trail at 7:30, crossed the street and into the woods. Beauuuutiful morning, birds chirping and a nice breeze. First junction was for the Emerald Pool and the cutoff to South Baldface. I figured to hit the Emerald Pool later so I went off to the cutoff. True Tuco style, missed the trail immediately and wandered in the woods for 5 minutes before doubling back. Real easy grade at this point, and then hit the cutoff trail for Chandler Gorge, a .5m loop. Headed down it, and you drop to a sort of small flume for about ¼ long. The trail rises until there is basically a gorge that the water is running through.
Back on trail, grade continues really easily until passing the Slippery Brook trail junction and then it starts to rise up pretty good. Ran into a nice local couple doing the loop, and chatted for a bit and ended up leap frogging with them all day. After hitting the South Baldface Shelter- again I missed the trail but a larger group pointed me in the right direction- The trail goes up very steeply and into the open onto rock ledges. For the next mile or so its basically climbing up and over steep rock ledges. Would not want to go down this, and would never go up it myself in the rain. After getting over the ledges, it was more climbing but an easier grade with smaller rocks to step on.
Here I met Ginger, the dog, who finished her 48 4k’s last year. It’s the 4th dog this year I met to have done so. A little more climbing and a girl went by me who had no gear and was running the trail. She walked by me, but I saw her pick up the jog later on the way up to South Baldface. Started cramping badly here, and had to continually rest on the final summit approach to allow my legs to make it. Drank a lot, but my legs were not happy. Summitted, surprised at how strong the wind was and how cool it was. A quick snack and hit the trail to N Baldface. Neat walking in and out of small trees with great views as well. Went up to the Summit, and again very windy. Had lunch enjoyed the great 360 views all around- looked as if there were clouds over Mt. Washington. Headed down the trail and looped below treeline. At first, this was very steep going down, but then it leveled off into a very easy hike back to the car.
Hit the Emerald Pool junction and saw a lot of people walking up the trail in flip flops, beach hats and with beach towels. Decided at this point that going home was the best plan. In the lot- there was a VFTT sticker sighting- a ford explorer if I recall.
I REALLY loved this hike- and will do it again on a day when I am in better shape- my legs cramped so badly at times I was having trouble getting going. Also- got a new camera system- bought an eagle creek bag that slings over my shoulder so I can put my video and digital camera in front of me for very easy access. Of course- next time I will be sure that my 15 year old daughter actually charges the digital, only have moving pictures of this hike.
Sorry for the long report fro such a small hike. Enjoyed it so much had fun writing about it.
