Bald Mountain via Piper, Weetamoo, and Hammond Trails (plus bushwhack), 08/26/09
I was originally told of this superb viewpoint by Steve Smith, who wished to remain nameless. I first checked it out on a hazy day last September, but knew that I needed to return and do some further exploring.
Bald Mountain is a subpeak of Mt. Chocorua, located near the Hammond Trail.
Bald Mountain (from Carter Ledge) with Chocorua Lake in the background
About 30 years ago, part of the Weetamoo Trail was relocated. Thus, it features fairly gradual grades and decent footing.
Nearing the top of the Weetamoo Trail, I thought I saw the Weetamoo Rock:
I was wrong - there was a much larger one around the corner - I climbed about 7 feet up the front and looked down at the lower half (I was still maybe 20 below the top of it - it's multiple dozen feet tall!):
Reaching the Hammond Trail, I descended to the height of land on Bald Mountain, then bushwhacked out to the ledges.
Chocorua dominates the western views:
I dropped down about 10 vertical feet lower than my previous visit and found a wider variety of views, from Chocorua to the Green Hills to Maine to the Ossipees.
The ledges themselves are pretty interesting looking. Geologically speaking, I believe these cracks were formed when Michael Bolton first performed "When A Man Loves A Woman"
There are also strong views to the north:
The Moats, White Ledge, Kearsarge North, Green Hills
To the east, Whitton Ledge and Whitton Pond:
Near the Maine border, the Scarboro Ridge (gee, that would be an interesting ridge to hike
):
To the south, Chocorua Lake and the Ossipees:
A parting shot, Chocorua, the Three Sisters (giggity giggity), and Carter Ledge:
I was originally told of this superb viewpoint by Steve Smith, who wished to remain nameless. I first checked it out on a hazy day last September, but knew that I needed to return and do some further exploring.
Bald Mountain is a subpeak of Mt. Chocorua, located near the Hammond Trail.
Bald Mountain (from Carter Ledge) with Chocorua Lake in the background
About 30 years ago, part of the Weetamoo Trail was relocated. Thus, it features fairly gradual grades and decent footing.
Nearing the top of the Weetamoo Trail, I thought I saw the Weetamoo Rock:
I was wrong - there was a much larger one around the corner - I climbed about 7 feet up the front and looked down at the lower half (I was still maybe 20 below the top of it - it's multiple dozen feet tall!):
Reaching the Hammond Trail, I descended to the height of land on Bald Mountain, then bushwhacked out to the ledges.
Chocorua dominates the western views:
I dropped down about 10 vertical feet lower than my previous visit and found a wider variety of views, from Chocorua to the Green Hills to Maine to the Ossipees.
The ledges themselves are pretty interesting looking. Geologically speaking, I believe these cracks were formed when Michael Bolton first performed "When A Man Loves A Woman"
There are also strong views to the north:
The Moats, White Ledge, Kearsarge North, Green Hills
To the east, Whitton Ledge and Whitton Pond:
Near the Maine border, the Scarboro Ridge (gee, that would be an interesting ridge to hike
):
To the south, Chocorua Lake and the Ossipees:
A parting shot, Chocorua, the Three Sisters (giggity giggity), and Carter Ledge:
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