Summit: Eastman Mountain (2,939')
Trail route: Baldface Circle Trail, Slippery Brook Trail, Eastman Mountain Trail
Trail conditions: Dry trail, some insignificant mud easy to avoid
Weather: Warm day with sunshine and cumulus clouds
Total miles: 8.4
Total time: 4:44
Today I would be taking a break from hiking a 4,000 footer. Eastman Mountain is on the 52 With a View list, a mountain that I have not been to and trails that I have not hiked on. There was warm temps and sunshine in the forecast.
It was a beautiful drive down through Evans Notch on my way to the trailhead. There was only one other vehicle in the parking lot when I arrived. The hike to the Baldfaces that leaves from here is a very popular destination for hikers, the hike to Eastman not as popular.
After a short, flat hike on the Balface Circle Trail the turn onto the Slippery Brook Trail began a steady upward 2.6 mile hike to the next trail junction. The Eastman Mountain Trail to the summit was a nice, easy stretch of trail. Up until now the bugs had been just an annoyance but on the summit they were ferocious. I doused myself in bug spray but I obviously missed a few spots and they found them giving me some good welts.
There are some really nice views from the summit. After some photos and something to eat I started my descent and left the summit and bugs behind. I was able hike fast enough going down to avoid most of the bugs. It was a nice hike down and back to the trailhead.
I was surprised to not see any other hikers today. Back at the parking lot there were many cars so the other hikers must have been hiking the Baldfaces. There were more hikers pulling in as I was leaving. I was glad to have gotten an eary start as it was very warm now bordering on hot.
It was very nice to visit a mountain that I had not been to before, always good to hike new trails and view new scenery. The weather was in sharp contrast from last weekend's winter-like conditions. This is what we are accustomed to here in the White Mountains, we adjust and prepare for the varied conditions then head out into them. It was a great day to be in the mountains!
Enjoy the photos and video!
View on the drive through Evans Notch
The hike starts here
On my way to Slippery Brook Trail
Heading up to Eastman Mountain Trail
Low water
Smooth burl
Blue sky and cumulus clouds above the tree cover
Another 0.8 to the summit
Bunchberry blooms
A nailed blaze
Blue bead lily
Painted trillium
Mount Chocorua
A hazy view into Maine
South Baldface Mountain
Mount Washington past the ridge
A view from the summit
Summit cairn
Double mushrooms
Wide open woods
This was hanging over the trail
Cascading water
Back at the trailhead
Lady slippers are blooming
A gathering of butterflies
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
No comments:
Post a Comment