Baldpate Mountain Trail—does it still go through?

[Raymond]

My two-decades-old Maine Atlas and Gazetteer describes a hike up Baldpate Mountain from East B Hill Road, not on the Appalachian Trail, but on a shorter trail called Baldpate Mountain Trail. The trail is not mentioned at all in my 1993 AMC Maine Mountain Guide.

Susan and I went to Andover, Maine, last week and saw signs for a half-mile trail to The Cataracts, but the on-site map didn't indicate that the trail would go through to Baldpate Mountain. I suspect that it would; there were blue blazes and an open trail beyond The Cataracts, with boot marks and moose tracks, but I only followed the path as far as the first stream crossing. The thing that had me concerned was that the old DeLorme said that the trail has a wood ladder, and if the trail has been closed for 20 years (or whatever), that ladder may not be in good repair. I'd hate to get all the way up to it (I assume it's far up the trail) and find the ladder gone or falling apart.

Anyone here know the condition of the trail? Obviously the Appalachian Trail goes through, but now I'm doubly intrigued about the Baldpate Mountain Trail.

 

[el-bagr]

Baldpate Mountain Trail is a viable option. I like its approach up Frye Brook ("the Cataracts"). After about 2 miles, the brook diverges and the route continues up, crossing many trickles and rivulets. If you follow the trail carefully, you should have no problems -- it's decently marked, though it does steepen. As you climb up Little/East Baldpate, you join onto the more heavily-used AT.