Sunday Oct 24, 2004

Baldpate Mountain

Today's hike was another peak on the NEHH list in Maine atarting at the same location as yesterday.

This is the route we took today up to the summit of Baldpate.

Directions to the trailhead: From Bethel, ME follow Routes 2 & 26 3 miles north to the split of Route 26. Turn left onto Route 26 and follow into Grafton Notch for 12.3 miles to a well marked parking area on the left.

Time to summit: 2:30

This is the profile of the hike to the summit via the Old Speck trail from our GPS.

A 3-D view of our hike.

The parking lot is on Rte 26 and well marked.

Today we are headed to baldpate, following the Appalachian trail north.

The trail crosses Rte 26 and quickly goes through a wet section with good trail work to keep you dry. No views along the way :< The trail is gradual until you reach the baldpate Leantoo - from their it gets very steep until the summit of the West Peak.

Here is Geri at West Peak. It was another Winter like day.

HEding over to East Peak. The trial has some protected areas, but is mostly exposed.

Geri going down a ladder. There were several icey spots we had to take care with.

A few minutes after leaving West Peak you reach this grassy section.

Just beyond the grassy section you reach large rock slabs.

The rocks almost seem like large steps.

From here to the top the trail is exposed - temps were @30 with a 30 - 40 knot wind.

Near the top we saw a natural shelter created by a gap in the large slabs of rock.

A closer look. 3 people could fit in here and stay warm and protected if needed.

Approaching the summit.

Winter has arrived!

More Wintery views.

The summit! Geri had to wipe the ice off of the sign so we could read it.

It's amazing what the trees can withstand.

On the return we stopped at the baldpate Leanto.

Hmm - it's not handicap acessable :>

We also made a side trip to Table Rock.

Check out our Hiking page