Baldface Loop Hike (2015-10-18)

2015-10-18

Photos.

I got up at 4:00, but did not start out until 5:30 due to an overnight computer backup process lasting longer than expected.

There are many ways leading to the Baldface trailhead on Route 113.  My route is the following: Topsfield Road > Rt. 97 > Rt 95 > Rt. 35 > Rt.5 > Rt.113 (after Fryeburg).  

I had my breakfast at the Dunkin' Donuts in East Waterboro, then did a quick shopping at the nearby Hannaford Supermarket to get a sandwich for post-hike which turned out to be unnecessary. 

I stopped by a viewpoint near Sokokis Lake on Rt. 5 with a stunning foliage view at 8:00.  I took a series of pictures that later turned out to be extremely poor due to the setting for lunar eclipse was still in effect (-5 exposure bias).    It was 9:10 when I reached the Baldface Trailhead, about one hour later than I expected.  The small parking lot had cars from Quebec, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. I realized that I left the map at home because I was studying the map till the last minute leaving home.  Fortunately, the traihead has a good map thought without elevation data.  I took a few pictures of the map with different scales with my Nokia 822 smartphone.

I left the parking lot at 9:13, got on the trail after walking 200 m on Rt. 113.  The trail is moderate for the first 3 km.  I went off the trail after the Circle Junction, but quickly found the trail.  The trail is well marked with yellow markers on trees.  After some relatively steep, not difficult, climbing, I reached Baldflce Knob Trail at 10:45. Soon the trail starts to have exposed parts.  The temperature was probably below 5°C.  The windchill hurt a bit.  I reached the Sourth Baldface Summit at 11:36. The views were fantastic.  It was partly cloudy, so some parts of the views are under bright sunshine and others are under clouds. I reached the North Baldface Summit at 12:24 and continued to enjoy the spectacular views.  I had a brownie lunch after getting off the summit and entering a sheltered section.

I saw some young grils at the parking lot, then I did not run across any hikers until I reached Meader Ridge Tails where I ment four gentlemen.  I reached Mt. Meader Trail at 14:47.  I was relieved because I knew that I would be able to finish the hike before the dark.  I prefer hike a trails for the first time under bright sunshine because it is not a fun to get lost in the dark.  I saw a family of 4 and a group of 3 laydies on my way down the trail. I reached Rt. 113 at 16:03.  The sunlight was giving spectaular colors to the ending foliage of the area.  I took quite some photos. I got back to the parking lot at 16:17.

Because of wrong settings, HERE Drive directed me to take Rt. 125 -> Rt. 101 to avoid tolls, I got back to tolled Rt. 95 I finished the early bought sandwich on Rt. 125. I also did some shopping at Hannford on Rt.16.   I got home around 20:00.

The pictures taken turned out to be subpar.  For the Sony DSC-HX50V, using Superio Auto was probably a mistake because it probably reduced the sharpness by using multiple shots. 

For the Canon EOS Rebel T5,  I used the aperture priority mode to take a panorama series at Sokokis Lake with the settings for lunar eclipse.  Fortunately, I used the auto mode to take a few pictures that turned out to be excellent.  These excellent pictures make me think it may be worthwhile to bring the heavier Canon for the next hike.