Bald Top Mountain

Hike Date: Thursday, February 20th
Hike Distance: 3.5 miles (round-trip, GPS)
Time on the trail: 2hrs 33mins
Trail Conditions: packed snow on trail, deep snow off trail
Parking: along roadway (north of trailhead access and across the road, please don't block the VAST trail)

A hike to Bald Top Mountain from Bloodbrook Rd is great each season and this is especially true in winter.   The hike began on Bloodbrook Rd heading east from the gate now buried in snow.

The kiosk heading to Bald Top Mountain is dedicated to Allen Avery.

The VAST signage and blue blaze of the CRT.

Farm view from the trail.

The trail turns left and heads up from the shared VAST trail at 0.4 miles (marked by a CRT sign) ... easy walking on the snowmobile tracks.

The trail had been recently broken but there was still more than enough snow.

View to the SW, and Lake Fairlee, from a beautiful section of the trail with a high tree canopy.

Trail turned to the right and climbs a short distance to the summit (1.7 miles).  The trail was unbroken and the snow was deep (24+ inches) so snowshoes and poles were needed.

Views are largely to the north and northeast and include Black Mountain (left), the Kinsman Range (middle, more distant), and Mount Moosilauke (right).

Long views to the NE including the Connecticut River Valley.

View back to the summit after breaking trail and enjoying the sun and warmer temps.

Trail Notes: the lower section of trail in the Brushwood Forest (West Fairlee) will be logged this summer limiting trail access - watch for updates.  The removal of invasive trees (Buckthorn) will hopefully continue on the summit opening up views to the east.