Bald Knob & Turtleback Mountain

Today I did an out and back to Turtleback Mountain via Bald Knob. Parked the car on Rt 171 at the bottom of an unofficial trail at the Tuftonboro/Moultonborough town line sign. Oof, it was a steep climb up for just under a mile to Bald Knob. Although unofficial, the trail was marked with blue blazes and was mostly easy to follow. I got off course a couple of times, but was able to regroup easily enough. Way steeper than I had anticipated, but the views from Bald Knob are well worth the effort. I continued on Bald Knob Trail on the now superhighway of LRCT trails over to Turtleback Mountain Trail. The trails were mostly nice and dry with a little soft mud that could be easily avoided. The climb became a little more moderate until the final push on Turtleback Summit Trail. One large blowdown on the summit spur that I was able to duck under. Views from the summit are back towards the Ossipee Range rather than over the Lakes Region. It was a gorgeous day. I retraced my steps stopping again at Bald Knob for another quick picture opportunity before tackling the steep descent back to the car. The only people I saw all day were 2 women with their pups ascending as I was descending back to the car from Bald Knob. 

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from the start looking up to Bald Knob

Bald Knob views

Turtleback Mountain summit views

back at Bald Knob on the way down

one last look at where I had been

Mt Roberts

Today I ventured back out to Mt Roberts at the Castle In the Clouds. My last visit with Robin was a whiteout, and this peak is on the 52 With a View.. so I decided to go back and check those views out! It was a gorgeous day, first short sleeve hike for me this year. The hike up via Mt Roberts Trail is moderate but was in great shape today. I picked up High Ridge Trail to the Faraway Trail which was very wet and muddy in some spots with some small patches of lingering snow that I hadn't anticipated. There were also quite a few blowdowns, nothing you couldn't navigate around easily enough but overall it was a bit of a messy section. In fact, I had the intentions of taking the unofficial trail/access road up to the true summit of Faraway Mountain, but must have been too focused on avoiding mud/snow and missed it. I picked up Faraway Trail which is smooth sailing, wide carriage roads to Cold Springs Trail and then completed the loop on Cold Springs Road. Bluebird day. 

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Stonehouse Pond

 Mindy introduced me to a new little area this afternoon. Stonehouse Pond in Barrington. Feels so secluded but is right in the middle of a residential area. We did the perimeter loop. Standing atop the rock overlooking the pond was a bit nerve-wracking and tested my fear of heights. I'm getting used to standing atop a summit without feeling fear.. but sheer cliff drops still do a number on my anixety!

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Mindy contemplating the surrounding peaks 

Cardigan Mountain

Today's adventure took Robin and I to Cardigan Mountain. What an amazing summit. We had to park in the Winter parking on Burnt Hill Road since the gate is closed, that adds just over half a mile each way road walk up to the actual trail head. We took West Ridge Trail up and down. Rather wet/muddy with some lingering snow on the lower part of the trail.  Upper part was somewhat icy, but we did fine in our spikes. There are a couple of scrambly sections, but thankfully some well placed trees and roots assist in those areas. It was super windy on the summit, so we didn't linger too long. Grabbed some pictures and headed back down. 

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