GET FIT HIKE 3: Bald Knob/ Turtleback Hike

The views were spectacular and it was a nice clear day with puffy clouds! Bald Knob is a ledge on the side of Turtleback Mountain, in the Ossipee Range.

Beautiful day hiking up to Bald Knob and Turtleback Mountain although there were significant areas of mud and pooling of water. The trail is a steady and comfortable climb up the mountains, which is why it's so popular. There were not that many people out today considering how beautiful a day it was!

We first hiked up to Turtleback Mountain first following an old carriage road with a series of switchbacks.  The views from the summit were excellent - Mt. Roberts, Faraway Mountain, Mount Shaw, and Black Snout were all easily seen! There were not many people on this summit and we had it ourselves most of the time. We had lunch here and celebrated Jon’s birthday.

We then made our way to Bald Knob. On the summit there is a wooden viewing platform on top, but it is not needed to obtain the gorgeous view. Lake Winnipesaukee across a large portion of the landscape, with the Belknap Range in the background. To the right, on a small hill nearby, we could see Castle in the Clouds. Red Hill is also seen, Mt. Moosilauke and other peaks further north. The views were spectacular and it was a nice clear day with puffy clouds! There was nice breeze.

The weather was perfect and participants made for an awesome, fun-filled day!

~ Mike and Jon

Our third of four GetFit Hikes! We will be hiking Bald Knob [1,801 feet] and Turtleback Mountain [2,203 feet]. This open rock knob on the south side of the Ossipee Range features a sweeping, unobstructed vista over Lake Winnipesaukee from Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area!   

The total distance covered is 7 miles, it should take approximately 3-4 hours and the elevation gain is 1,000 feet.

From the Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area, we’ll follow the Turtleback Mountain trail and after several switchbacks we will reach the Bald Knob trail in 2.0 miles and after another 0.7 mile provides fine views of Lake Winnipesaukee! We’ll then return to the Turtleback Mountain Trail and continue another 1.5 miles to the Turtleback with a fine close-up view of Mt. Shaw and the main ridge of the Ossipee’s!

Join us for a hike in the great outdoors for some fresh air and some much needed camaraderie!