9/2/12 Bald Bluff Mountain and Ducktail Pond

Iffy day with possible rain but the sun was out when we started off. Clouded up as we hiked but didn't start to rain until we were on our way home. We started with the trail to Bald Bluff Mountain - the trail head is a few miles further up the road from the one for Partridge Pond.

Part way up there is a side trail to an overlook with nice views

Click twice for large view



We then continued on up the trail which is a steady climb but has good footing and no problems for Kelley. The summit is not marked but the apparently highest point is not open and has no views. You drop down a short distance to a ledge for the views which are not as open as the overlook.

This was with a longer lens to get a clear view of the more distant hills

We decided we would take the trail in to Ducktail Pond and on the way to that trail head we saw a sign at an intersection pointing to a side road that said  "Dead End 1/2 Mile - Scenic View".  We drove a short distance and parked and tried to hike to the area of the view but giant boulders blocked the trail and there was no way around for Kelley. I got a wildflower picture and we headed back to Ducktail

The trail into Ducktail was narrower and took you over a rise but was not very long and again no problems for Kelley.

Click twice for large view



This old canoe had many patches including duct tape. There were also some people camping and they had canoes they had carried in.

Pretty good two hour hike . We have more to explore because we did not see any of the harvested areas on any of the trails we were on. These were mentioned by our friend who told us about the trails and in some of the online literature.