I severely missed my calling to be a Girl Scout. It has been almost two years since I earned my last hiking patch, and among my “just graduated but waiting on my start date” dilly-dallying, I put together a list of future patch aspirations.
Due to its proximity and abundance of views during stick season, the Lakes Region Conservation Trust Explorer Patch rose to the top of my list. While I’ve done three prior hikes that partially contributed to the 5-peak and 19-trail requirement, today was the first day I went out with a purpose beyond enjoying a hike.
After tracing over what I’d done, I took a look at what remained and created an extended loop of Bald Knob and Turtleback Mountain on Gaia, which was wonderful to reference among the extensive network of trails.
With a 9 am start, I was the first person on trail due to the cozy -9-degree windchill. From the hiker lot, I beelined across the lawn to Shannon Pond Dam and picked up Turtleback Mountain Trail to the right of the kiosk. After many years since my last hike on this side of the conservation area, I was swiftly reminded most trails here are wide and of a gentle grade. This kept up as I went from Turtleback Mountain Trail to Shannon Brook Connector, but ceased for the climb up to Bald Knob.
Though Bald Knob Connector appears to be a less popular route, the trail was enjoyable, well marked, and had an excellent viewpoint at roughly 1400 feet (noted on Gaia). Beyond the Gunstock-facing knob, the trail was rather saturated with ice, but not so much that I needed to put my microspikes on. As I returned to the carriage-road-esque landscape on Bald Knob trail, I was back to easy sailing. I thoroughly enjoyed the approach to Bald Knob- it almost felt like a catwalk with views of the Castle to the right and the lake at the front. Breathtaking!
Though stunning, the summit exposure was bone-chilling! I didn't linger too long before turning around and recognizing THE lovely duo Elizabeth (we follow each other on Instagram but have never met) and Michelle! After some shared excitement over an impromptu meet-up, they kindly allowed me to tag along to Turtleback, releasing me from total solo hiking over my 12.5-mile route.
As we ascended to Turtleback, the snow line came and stayed right at 1700 feet. Planning this hike was the first time I had utilized the snow-depth layer on Gaia, and it was spot on in the aspects of my route. I am excited to use this layer more going forward. Despite a couple of creative hop-overs on wet or frozen spots along the trail, the three of us had an easy ride to Turtleback, which stares directly across a drainage Mt. Shaw and Black Snout.
After returning to the spur junction, we said our goodbyes, and I continued toward High Ridge. This part of the trail got more and more challenging for me—the snow was like Creme Brulee. There was this crunchy yet unsupportive layer on top, met with a not-wet but-not-powder base. It would not have been any better with snowshoes, so I continued to bareboot.
Turtleback Mountain Trail was mostly uneventful, as was High Ridge, until the Black Snout Spur. Once I arrived here, I had 2 thick layers and my belay puffy on- something I had never even thought of hiking in. Though my body temperature was comfortable, my legs could not seem to catch a break, and I was lamenting my choice of leaving the down skirt in the car. The only way out is through, so I was happy for some chances to jog down snowy hills after hitting my high point of the day at 8 miles.
Right as I was starting to like High Ridge, I took a weird turn onto Oak Ridge I should've put my spikes on for. The trail was a glossy frozen-over stream with occasional rocks to balance along for about half a mile. As I got to the trail junction with Upper Bridle path, I at first welcomed a change in terrain, but it wasn't all that much better.
I began with ascending a knoll, then descended quite steadily among green blazes. There were a handful of messy blowdowns, light rock ledges, and lots of leaves. Of each trail I completed in my 12.5 miles- this was the only one that was deliberate to follow. After losing the bulk of my elevation, I quickly landed on the Faraway trail and then dipped onto the wide and enjoyable Lower Bridle Path.
Minus the quick 0.2-mile ascent to the viewpoint on Lower Bridle, it was a straight shot down the old road to the Shannon Pond Dam. Once I got back to the water, it was such a joy to know my seat warmers were in sight! Despite the cold, it was a great day to stay south of the Whites and try out a lesser-explored area. The Ossipee Range is truly a gift in every way- I can't wait to come back again!
Final Stats:
12.46 miles
2019 gain
I think I saw the 3 of you on Sunday....near the Turtleback Trail/Bald Knob Trail junction...All of you were headed up towards Turtleback Mountain while I was going towards Bald Knob....very cold but refreshing