Bald Mountain (Antrim): 4/27/2014

Mileage: 2.90
Elevation gain: 990' 
Trails Used: Tamposi Trail, Bald Mountain Trail, Tudor Trail.

This turned out to be a spur of the moment hike with Desi on Sunday, after a morning spent shopping.   We were going to do Ragged Mountain at first, but then I noticed in the Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide book a shorter hike which happened to be Bald Mountain, which is shorter and less elevation gain which was perfect for a Sunday hike.

Bald Mountain is located in Antrim, New Hampshire and is also in the dePierrefeu-Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary and is owned by the Audobon Society of New Hampshire.  More information for this hike can be found here.  Willard Pond is nearby which offers fly fishing, swimming and hiking in the area.  Another nice hike in the area is Goodhue Hill, which is directly across from Bald Mountain.

The kiosk located at the Tamposi Trail (Bald Mountain) parking area where we started the hike.  The trail goes into the woods on the left side of the parking area.  The map is shown in the right hand corner of the kiosk and has various trails listed.

The start of the Tamposi Trail.  This trail is blazed with yellow rectangles.

The trail climbs steadily throw rocky areas with numerous interesting cave's and rock formations.  

The Tamposi Trail heading up.

Very open woods down low which is perfect for wildlife viewing/sighting.

Recent rubbings, possibly deer chewing on the bark.  Some of the rubbings were about 7-8 feet high so most likely when there was snow on the ground.

Spur Trail that follows an old logging road through more recent logging cuts and an old apple orchard.  We did not go down this trail today but it looked to be fairly easy to follow.

The junction for the Spur Trail, which is roughly about 1.3 miles one way.  We would be heading up the Tamposi Trail to the summit of Bald Mountain.

Desi up near the summit area of Bald Mountain (elevation 2037').  No actual views from up here so you have to go down to the ledges on the Bald Mountain Trail to get them.

Grand Monadnock in the background, with Skakutakee (left) and Thumb (right) Mountains in the foreground.  Taken from the ledge outlook areas just below the summit coming down the Bald Mountain Trail.

Zoomed in view of Mount Monadnock from the ledges below the summit of Bald Mountain.

Goodhue Hill (foreground) with Crotched Mountain in the background, and a few mountains in the Wapack Range to the right.

Panorama of the Wapack Range all the way over to Mount Monadnock.

 The Bald Mountain Trail, just below the ledge overlook which is still pretty easy to follow.

View of Willard Pond from some lower ledges, with Crotched Mountain to the right.

A zoomed in view of Crotched Mountain.

Looking back towards Willard Mountain, a northern peak of Bald Mountain.

The Bald Mountain/Tudor Trail junction.

The Tudor Trail skirts along the shore of Willard Pond.  A lot of rocks were strewn about along the trail.

There were also several bridges along this section over some water crossings feeding into Willard Pond.

Nice easy walking along the pond on the Tudor Trail.

A look across Willard Pond to Goodhue Hill.  Another trail goes up to the summit if you follow the Mill Pond and Goodhue Trails.

Quite a few tree's down from beaver activity.  A few of the tree's were missing completely but there was no sign of a beaver dam or hut nearby.

A few benches were placed along the shore line of the pond, including this one with this plaque. 

The start of the Tudor Trail which is off of Willard Pond Road and connects to the Bald Mountain Trail.

Overall, a pleasant loop hike with some decent views and some good elevation gain.  On a nice day, you could sit by the pond or maybe even go for a swim.  There is even a boat ramp so one could even kayak/canoe around the pond as well as do some fishing.