Trip/Event Location: Moultonborough, NHUS
Trip Leader(s): Gandalf
Max # People: 15
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I'm not making any money running this trip
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
If you're looking for a mellow mountain-climbing hike, then this hike to Bald Knob with a rocky promontory that offers excellent views across Lake Winnipesauke to the mountains beyond&
From South and West and I-93: Follow I-93 to Exit 23, then take Rt. 104 east towards Meredith. At end of Rt. 104, turn left (North) on Rte 3. In 1/2 mile, at lights, turn right (East) onto Rt. 25 and follow into Moultonborough. Turn right onto Rt. 109 South, go 2 miles, then bear left onto Rt. 171. Shortly after the main Castle in the Clouds entrance, there will be a hiker parking lot on the right side of the road. Trailhead is directly across from it. We will be driving a blue FJ Cruiser. From the South: (Portsmouth, Rochester) and I-95: Take Rt. 16 north. Turn left onto Rt. 171 in Ossipee. Continue on Rt. 171 for approx. 16 miles. Shortly before the main Castle in the Clouds entrance, there will be a hiker parking lot on the left hand side of the road. Trailhead is directly across from it. We will be driving a blue FJ Cruiser. From the North: Take Rte 16 south to Rt. 25 West in West Ossipee. Turn right onto Rt. 25 West and continue for approx. 10 miles. In Moultonboro, turn left (South) onto Rt. 109 south, go 2 miles, then bear left onto Rt. 171. Shortly before the main Castle in the Clouds entrance, there will be a hiker parking lot on the left hand side of the road. Trailhead is directly across from it. We will be driving a blue FJ Cruiser.
It was a promising start to the hiking season as thirteen members showed up to hike up Bald Knob on the grounds of the Castle in the Clouds. There were lots of familar faces, and we were joined by a few new members.
We started off on a steady uphill along a rushing brook. The Castle was built by an eccentric millionaire in the early 1900's and has many interesting features. He was an immigrant who built a fortune and then lost it all before he died. But we thank him for finding and preserving this beautiful area that we were in.
It was sunny and breezy. We continued on the carriage road which took us up a highpoint where the Bald Knob Cutoff trail began. This trail was more traditional New England hiking than the carriage road we had been on.
We reached the ridgeline with a fine outlook southerly to Lake Winnipesauke. Then the trail led us up and down eventually leading us to the Bald Knob trail, which is another carriage road.
We could see Lake Winnipesaukee through the trees on our right as we approached Bald Knob and made us know that our efforts would be rewarded with a spectacular view. We reached the Knob and we enjoyed a great view of Lake Winnipesauke. The Belknap mountain range and beyond was also in view. There were remains of a wooded stand left over from horseback riding that was once offered at Castle in the Clouds.
On the return we took a short detour to view the "Falls of Song." Everyone made the 4.2 mile hike and seemed glad to have been able to get out and enjoy spring, trading the breeze for very little bugs.
Afterwards we had dinner on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith.
Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous
Outdoor Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate
