South Baldface

Trail: East Pasture XC ski trail, Bald Land Trail, East Branch Road, East Branch Trail, bushwhack

Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder

“Three of us made the long trek out to West Baldface in deep unbroken powder. It took us about 7 hours one way to reach the summit. It was cold today with a -5 start but sunny with no wind. We launched the bushwhack just to the north of FR 5039 and stayed in the woods alongside it heading straight for the summit. Beautiful woods. Apparently a moose was about, postholing our tracks on East Branch trail. When we got back to the XC trails they had been groomed. I don’t know what the rule is for snowshoeing these trails, but a sign says you need a pass to ski them.”

Trail: Baldface Circle Trail, Bicknell Ridge Trail

Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Small Patches

“Best to go clockwise for this hike because the ledges heading up South Baldface have considerable ice. We used spikes but it was still challenging with the boulder scrambling-particularly if you're on the shorter side. Going up South and between South and North, there were a few inches of snow/low drifts, and gaiters would have been great just to keep the snow out of our trail runners. Water crossings were ok but water was definitely flowing at the two we crossed coming down. Feet will likely get wet at the second one but it's almost back to the lot so not really an issue for us.”

Trail: Slippery Brook Trail, Baldface Knob Trail, Baldface Circle Trail, Meader Ridge Trail, Basin Rim Trail, Basin Trail

Conditions: Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Slush

“Roadwalked from Basin trailhead to Baldface trailhead. Took slippery brook to avoid S Baldface ledges. Patches of snow started at around 2,800 ft. Below treeline sections between S and N Baldface had 2-4” of snow. Trail was flooded with snowmelt in many spots. Some ice but avoidable, never put on spikes. Exposed areas on the Baldfaces were mostly free of snow/ice. Saw lots of grouse on the trail.”