Bartlett Mtn Balds TR

“I returned to the Bartlett Mountain Balds for a winter hike. A dusting of snow meekly covered the lowlands, that would not be the case at the top of the mountain.

I did this hike with Ed and Hanna, the first for both to the balds. We begin the requisite climb up the glen of White Brook, as it roared in the glen far below. Springs and rivulets flowed from the mountainsides, the result of recent heavy rains. As we climbed, the snow gradually became deeper.

This hike would be different than the others. I also hoped to explore a bald to the east of the Bartlett Mountain Balds.

At the top, it was winter wonderland, with snow almost 8 inches deep in places. We climbed to the plateau and explored the rock outcrops and overhangs common for the area. Icicles speared down from the ledges, dripping with water. We scrambled to the top, to see countless wildlife tracks- fox, bobcat, weasel, bear, deer, rabbits.

We headed north to the balds. The morning clouds peeled away to reveal a sapphire blue sky. It was beautiful. As we hiked, the forests receded to reveal the balds, surrounded by deep green spruce forests. The balds offered views to the east. Both Ed and Hanna were impressed.

We hiked along the north rim with some views to the north. The spruce forests were incredible. Ed thought it was like a slice of the Adirondacks here in PA. Wind whipped the tree-tops. High cirrus clouds began to veil the sun. We passed trees and branches chewed by porcupines, as if sanded.

We backtracked and descended from the balds, hoping to find the eastern bald. We soon reached a bog, surrounded by older growth spruce and twisted laurel bushes, it was a stunning forest. This bog appeared to be the headwaters of White Brook. Tracking east, we scrambled over snow covered boulders and narrow crevices. We soon reached the bald, although it was not as large as the others. It was still scenic and featured plenty of spruce. Heading south, we reached White Brook and followed it to an old forest road, which we took down to White Brook. We crossed the stream as it roared with high water. The stream crossing was fairly easy; the creek leaped with cascades upstream. You could see how far down the sun shone on the south facing slope by the distinct limit where the snow stopped melting.

We completed the loop and descended back to the cars as the sun set.

Pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49239558@N04/sets/72157632325421372/with/8302124672/

















”