peakbagger
In Rembrance , July 2024
A friend of mine has wanted to to do the baldfaces for several years but she really doesnt like open ledges and slabs so the route up South Baldface wasnt an option. I had done the Slippery Brook Trail approach in the past and remembered it was a nice option to avoid the slabs. (I do like the slabs on South Baldface but would have skipped it given the forecast) The forecast for Sunday was marginal at best, high chance of rain with couple of sunny breaks with a likelyhood of afternoon thundershowers. We decided to do the hike early and got to the trailhead at 6:15 AM (nice living nearby). The ride through Evan notch was misty and the woods were dripping when we started. The hike up to the Slippery Brook junction went fast and as I remembered Slippery Brook trail is exceptionally well graded. We made good time to the top of the ridge and then took the right to head to Bald Knob. When we broke out at Baldknob, the Baldfaces were visible but that was about it. I figured it was going to be that way all day. Very soon we were pleasantly surprised and the view to the west opened up. Washington was out of the clouds and occcasionally was in the sun. The views to the east were socked in just downslope of the ridgeline and stayed that way all day.
The walk over from Bald Knob over to South Baldface was pleasant with a slight breeze, some rocks were slick but with some care we made our way over to the junction with the circle trail. At the summit of south baldface the views were great and it was a pleasant day. The hike up to North Baldface was slow as the rocks were slick and many of the slabs have widened out due to hikers trying to find a way around the steep spots. We kept the good views over to North Baldface with Bicknell ridge peaking out of the clouds on occasion. The hike down off North Baldface had more than few interesting wet granite slopes, not an issue when dry but interesting when wet. The hike down Bicknell ridge was pleasant. We waded both of the lower stream crossings as the water was higher than normal due to the heavy rains the night and day before. We were headed out early so we encountered many folks heading to Emeral Pool for a swim. We did visit Emeral Pool and I noticed that the area was a lot less "trashy " than previously. I would hope its improved attitude of the users but expect that its the work of some volunteers. We came out and headed home and by the time we hit route 2 it was warm and sunny.
The trail conditions in general were good. The painted blazes on rocks are worn and hard to find in spots but in most cases where there is a point of confusion, someone has brushed in the wrong route.
The walk over from Bald Knob over to South Baldface was pleasant with a slight breeze, some rocks were slick but with some care we made our way over to the junction with the circle trail. At the summit of south baldface the views were great and it was a pleasant day. The hike up to North Baldface was slow as the rocks were slick and many of the slabs have widened out due to hikers trying to find a way around the steep spots. We kept the good views over to North Baldface with Bicknell ridge peaking out of the clouds on occasion. The hike down off North Baldface had more than few interesting wet granite slopes, not an issue when dry but interesting when wet. The hike down Bicknell ridge was pleasant. We waded both of the lower stream crossings as the water was higher than normal due to the heavy rains the night and day before. We were headed out early so we encountered many folks heading to Emeral Pool for a swim. We did visit Emeral Pool and I noticed that the area was a lot less "trashy " than previously. I would hope its improved attitude of the users but expect that its the work of some volunteers. We came out and headed home and by the time we hit route 2 it was warm and sunny.
The trail conditions in general were good. The painted blazes on rocks are worn and hard to find in spots but in most cases where there is a point of confusion, someone has brushed in the wrong route.
Last edited:
