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Author:
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Backpacker Magazine
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Activity:
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Hiking
ActivitySearchHiking
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State:
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New Hampshire (NH)
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Distance:
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8.3 mi
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Difficulty:
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7 / 10
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Rating:
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 2 rating(s)
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Just west of the New Hampshire/Maine state line, this 8.3-mile lollipop in the White Mountain National Forest begins on a gradual one-mile climb before tackling a 2,500-foot ascent to the first of two rocky summits. Along the way, the hike encounters gorges, technical scramble sections, cairn-to-cairn navigation, and even a bit of easy creek-hopping. The two summits, South Baldface and North Baldface, are fairly bare and open (as their names suggest) and offer distant views of Mount Washington (New Hampshire’s highest peak) to the west.
-Mapped by Kari Bodnarchuk
TO TRAILHEAD: From Portland, ME, take US 302 W to Fryeburg; turn R onto River St./ME 113 N (toward East Conway/Stow). In 1.3 mi., turn R @ stop sign (stay on ME 113 N); follow signs for North Chatham, NH. In 16 mi., park @ trailhead on R.
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Datum: |
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BFM01
| Dist: 8.32 mi |
Points: 806 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Baldface Mountain
BFM001
Location: 44.237484°, -71.014969°
Head W on dirt-packed, yellow-blazed trail with seasonal lady's-slippers; listen for high-pitched blue-jay calls
BFM002
Location: 44.237167°, -71.029236°
Turn L onto Baldface Circle Trail toward South Baldface. Optional: For a dip, R for .2-mi. round trip to Emerald Pool
BFM003
Location: 44.235867°, -71.036552°
Go L for .5-mi. horseshoe to Chandler Gorge, a rocky chasm cut by a cascading stream; narrow, leafy path with steep dropoffs; turn L @ jct. to reconnect with main trail
BFM004
Location: 44.234650°, -71.060631°
Cross stream; pass 3-sided storm shelter; leave trees behind on steep climb up ledges; use hands to scramble up rock face
BFM005
Location: 44.232716°, -71.069214°
Turn R on false summit (marked with large cairns)
BFM006
Location: 44.230984°, -71.077797°
South Baldface (3,569 ft.): Endless views, including Mt. Washington to the W. Turn R and head NW on ridgetop to North Baldface; cut through pine forest; cairns and blazes lead up steep boulders and rock slabs
BFM007
Location: 44.242882°, -71.086868°
North Baldface (3,591 ft.). Head NE on rooty, rocky, pine-needle trail
BFM008
Location: 44.250000°, -71.075966°
Continue straight toward Eagle Crag
BFM009
Location: 44.252434°, -71.074203°
Hard R @ 4-way; head E on Baldface Circle Trail for very steep, rocky descent; cross several small brooks
BFM010
Location: 44.242485°, -71.038353°
Continue straight
BFM011
Location: 44.237701°, -71.031998°
Cross brook on slick rocks (if high water, cross on ledge upriver). In 150 ft., stay straight @ Circle Jct.; retrace to trailhead
Rock Ledges
Location: 44.235199°, -71.062485°
©Kari Bodnarchuk
South Baldface Summit
Location: 44.230816°, -71.079147°
View of Mt. Washington from South Baldface. ©Kari Bodnarchuk
Emerald Pool
Location: 44.238297°, -71.029678°
©Kari Bodnarchuk
