South Baldface, April 25th

[forestgnome]

Godbeams and little rainbows in the sky in the early morning...

Slippery Brook Trail from RT113 is nice and dry for the first couple miles until the transition from hardwoods into hemlocks. There is still snow for a mile or so until you break out of the hemlocks.

In the hardwoods I saw my first flowers...yellow violets...

In the hemlock stand, I was enjoying the sounds of woodpeckers and distant brooks. My first winter wren filled the forest with song, along with a hermit thrush. I was in heaven. Then I heard a hiker coming down the trail...

I watched her sniff and listen in my direction as she kept coming toward me...

We watched each other for a few minutes...

Eventually she turned and vanished into the woods.

From the Bald Knob Trail, there is deep snow where shaded and dry trail otherwise. The open ridges are all dry, exept for a small patch near the summit of South Baldface.

Near the junction with Baldface Circle Trail, I went over toward the edge for a better view of North Moat and found a nice spring surprise!

Views from the summit...

Sable Mtn...

Mountain Pond and Mt. Kearsarge North...

continiued...

 

[forestgnome]

I did a little off-trailing from Baldfacce Circle Trail for a couple miles on the way down through some nice moose habitat...

What a beautiful hike! I also heard my fist white-throated sparrows and black pole warblers, and I saw a few patches of Indian Poke. Spring has sprung!!!

happy trails

 

[rocket21]

I did a little off-trailing from Baldfacce Circle Trail for a couple miles on the way down through some nice moose habitat...

Wow, those moose sure have fancy backpacks

 

[TrishandAlex]

Wonderful photos, as usual! I am always astonished at your moose encounters. Thanks for sharing those pictures.

 

[1HappyHiker]

Patrick . . . another super report! However, I am a bit envious of your ability to frequently find moose antlers. All I ever seem to come across is lots of moose poop! And then for a little variety, a few weeks ago I came across moose poop along with moose fur that had been shed in the same location.

 

[kltilton]

Great report as usual. I saw two moose on the White Ledge Loop in Albany Friday evening. They were off and running before I could get my camera out.

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

South Baldface

Remarkable photos, Patrick. Do you ever speak to the moose to hold their attention while you snap the pictures?
Little D

 

[Tom & Atticus]

Patrick, great shots, as always. We were pleased to run into you on the Kanc. Thought of you this past Sunday when Ruth had her second moose encounter within 10 days. This time, however, we had a camera ready as noted by these photos.

 

[Barbarossa]

ZOMG!!!11!! It's forestgnome! I'm going to be famous LOL!

 

[Jazzbo]

Forest Gnome's secret for attracting moose!

Forest Gnome's secret for attracting moose! Normally he wears two of them.

 

[forestgnome]

John, it's only a matter of time, the way you hike. One day you'll nearly step on one. When you do, look around closely. You're in a special place.

Tom, great seeing you again and nice meeting Ruth. Yup, some people just have the luck! The third pic is outstanding, tells a nice story. I'm looking forward to seeing the book. Congrats on that!

Jazzbo, you let my secret out

happy trails