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About


Baldpate Mountain - West Peak, Baldpate Mountain - East Peak
Grafton, ME

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Appalachian Trail on the way to West Baldpate
Looking up the Appalachian Trail on the way to West Baldpate

Route: Appalachian Trail

The final Maine peak of the weekend was Baldpate Mountain. Starting at the hiker parking area, I walked up Route 26 for a minute or so, then started on the Appalachian Trail on a series of bogwalks.

The climb to the first ridge was fairly gradual with decent footing. From there to the campsite, however, things dragged as the trail worked its way around a subpeak, gradually losing elevation.

Shortly after passing the campsite, the trail picked up in steepness, eventually becoming very steep and rough prior to reaching the top of West Baldpate. Just to the north, volunteers were working on building a sizable reroute of the trail, expected to be open in the next year or two.

While there were no views from the highpoint, there were superb directional views from the ledges just past it. After perhaps having some bad food at a gas station on the way to Grafton Notch, I wasn't feeling that well and was thus toying with calling it a day. Nonetheless, I continued on for the scenic ledge-dominated walk to East Baldpate, complete with two ladders and a few scrambles.

The views from around the flat East Baldpate summit were superb. While it was tempting to spend some time here, I was ready to head home.

The trail seemed to drag on forever on the return trip, especially the long, slight uphill portion of the trail from the campsite to the height of land.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: Baldpate Mountain - West Peak
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Moderate
Destination: Baldpate Mountain - East Peak
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Very Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Sunday, July 18, 2010
Parking Elevation: 1,496'
Destination: Baldpate Mountain - West Peak
Time Elapsed: 01:41
Trailhead Elevation: 1,500'
Summit Elevation: 3,662'
Distance: 2.9 miles
Vertical Gain: 2,482'
Destination: Baldpate Mountain - East Peak
Time Elapsed: 00:33
Trailhead Elevation: 3,662'
Summit Elevation: 3,780'
Distance: 0.9 mile
Vertical Gain: 380'
Hike Time Elapsed: 04:47
Hike Distance: 7.6 miles
Hike Vertical Gain: 3,448'


The Appalachian Trail trailhead
The Appalachian Trail trailhead

Looking at East Baldpate from the West Baldpate ledges - Click to enlarge
Looking at East Baldpate from the West Baldpate ledges

The Appalachian Trail between the peaks
The Appalachian Trail between the peaks

Looking northeast from East Baldpate - Click to enlarge
Looking northeast from East Baldpate

Topographic map of Baldpate Mountain - West Peak, Baldpate Mountain - East Peak - Click to enlarge


Directions to trailhead: Take US 2 East to Route 26 North into Grafton Notch. The hiker parking area is just below The Eyebrow. The Appalachian Trail departs northbound across Route 26. There may be a parking fee.

Back to Baldpate Mountain - West Peak Profile
Back to Baldpate Mountain - East Peak Profile




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