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The Baldfaces get their name from their extensive ledge faces. While not as open as the Presidentials or Franconia Ridge, there are over three miles of mixed ledge walking on this hike so good weather is desirable. There is enough scrub along the route for occasional shelter from wind but not from rain or lightning. The ledges can be dangerous when wet or icy and the brook crossings troublesome in high water.
The mountains are located near North Chatham, and cannot be reached by car from the rest of New Hampshire without driving through Maine. The rural scenery is a reward for the out-of-the-way drive. The low starting elevation makes this trip similar in climb to a moderate 4000-footer.
Distance: About 9.8 miles total around loop
Elevation gain: About 3600 feet total
Maps:
USGS Chatham, Wild River
AMC Carter Range-Evans Notch
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map G-9
DeLorme NHA&G 45-B/C12 - Chatham/Beans Purchase
The trail is located NE of US Route 302 and NH Route 16 at Conway
Trailhead: NH Route 113 about 2.5 miles N of Maine state line at Route 113-B and about 1.8 miles S of Maine state line near Basin Pond, elevation about 510 feet
44.238°N, 71.016°W (WGS84)
From I-95 at Portsmouth, take the Spaulding Turnpike N and continue on NH Route 16 when the Turnpike ends. About 75.2 miles from I-95, go straight (R) on NH Route 113 in Conway where NH Route 16 turns L.
Go 1.9 miles on NH Route 113 and continue straight where US Route 302 enters L. Go 5.8 miles to the outskirts of Fryeburg ME and turn L on ME Route 113. Follow this route 17.2 miles including several right angle turns, entering NH twice and leaving it once.
Parking lot on E side of road, trail climbs bank on W side of road a short distance N
Note that ME Route 113 through Evans Notch to Gilead ME is not maintained in winter.
High Point: Summit of North Baldface, elevation about 3610 feet
Owner: private and White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: AMC
Special regulations: Private land until near Slippery Brook Trail on L branch and above Bicknell Ridge Trail on R branch
From the parking lot, walk N (R) up the highway for .1 miles and turn L at the sign and climb a steep bank. This section of trail is a narrow right-of-way across private land so no camping or fires. Cross a logged area and at .6 miles turn L on a woods road (former route of the trail) and follow it .1 mile to Circle Junction. A side trail R leads to Emerald Pool. The classic route is to go L at this junction on the Baldface Circle Trail, which climbs the bank and circles .2 miles to the relocated junction with the Slippery Brook Trail.
The Circle Trail angles more steeply uphill to a ridge where it enters an old woods road. Soon a half-mile loop trail leads L to Chandler Gorge and returns to the road .1 miles above. The road climbs moderately then circles a knob to the Baldface Shelter, about 2.5 miles from the start. There is a tentsite here but some former tentsites have been closed for revegetation. The trail now begins an ascent of 900 feet in .6 miles mostly on open rock up the cliff bands, which should only be done in favorable conditions. The trail finally levels off on a ridgetop and reaches the junction with the Baldface Knob Trail, where there is a stone bench to sit on and stone walls to discourage indiscriminate wandering which may damage alpine plants. It is another half mile over less-steep ledges to the summit of South Baldface at about 3570 feet.
From the summit it is 1.2 miles to North Baldface, the highest point of the hike and also the midpoint. The ridge is not just a simple down and up but has about five rocky humps to go over, view them as scenic attractions rather than as obstacles and maybe they will seem easier. There is mixed open ledge and scrub. Beyond North Baldface is a steep drop off into scrub, then another ledge mixture for a mile to a flattish ledge area with the junction of Bicknell Ridge Trail.
Go straight (L) at this junction to stay on the Baldface Circle Trail. Another down and up section leads to another rock ledge in .3 miles with a 4-way junction.
Turn R to continue on the Circle Trail, which descends steeply and then enters another old woods road. The Eagle Cascade Link enters 1.5 miles down from the ridge, and the Bicknell Ridge Trail in another .8 miles. The trail is growing in and there are several wet sections. In another .6 miles is the crossing of Charles Brook, with Circle Junction just beyond. Repeat the easy section to the trailhead.
Parking lot plowed in winter. Snowshoes or crampons necessary depending on conditions. Ledges above shelter may require technical ice gear and accurate judgement of avalanche danger. Blazes on rock may be hidden so the correct route may not be apparent.
Map Notes: The USGS map shows the old routes of Baldface Circle and Slippery Brook Trails near NH Route 113. These trails were relocated as described above.
Ledges above Baldface shelter
South Baldface from Knob
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