Eagle Crag and Mt. Meader

Eagle Crag and Mt. Meader sit between the Baldfaces to the south and the mountains of East and West Royce to the north. With an elevation of 3,000 feet and change, one wouldn’t expect much from these two. And that’s where you’d be wrong. Or more accurately, you’d be pleasantly surprised!

A group of us headed up the Bicknell Ridge trail, which branches off from the Baldface Circle trail. The Bicknell Ridge trail was fantastic; it started out somewhat gradually and then went uphill at a steady grade. About 2/3 of the way up, the trail becomes more open as it ascends rocky ledges, with great views of South Baldface across the way and, in the distance, the lakes and hills of southern Maine.

The trail rejoins the Baldface Circle trail upon reaching the ridge, just below the shoulder of North Baldface. Here, you are in the alpine zone, with small shrubs and the occasional tree to interrupt the sprawling view of the Carter-Wildcat range to the west, and the Caribou-Speckled wilderness to the north/north-east.

On this particular day, there was a dusting of snow on the ground (~ 1-2”) and small patches of ice clung to the rocks. The sky was overcast, but the ceiling was high enough to see the far off peaks of many of the White Mountains. Despite being on the exposed ridge, wind was not a factor, and the weather was much better than anticipated. Back in Massachusetts there are still leaves on the trees, but don’t be fooled winter has definitely arrived in the mountains of New Hampshire and Maine.

We followed the trail north and continued onto Meader Ridge trail, which was a rolling trail through beautiful pine forest. At the intersection with the Mt. Meader trail, there is a little spur to a view, which looks back in the direction from where we came. Despite it being around 2pm, the sun was already starting to sink as we began our descent. Ice, leaves and roots slowed us down, forcing our tired legs to search for safe footholds. The last 1.5 miles of the hike were flat, and we soon found ourselves on wide logging roads that led back to the road, a short walk from the parking lot.