Baldface Scramble

Event overview

Baldface Scramble is a trail race held in the White Mountain National Forest in Chatham, New Hampshire (Evans Notch). The event uses Baldface Farm / Copeland Field off Route 113 as the start and finish area and offers two course options that travel over the Baldfaces; the longer option also includes Mount Meader. The courses include steep ledges, exposed ridge running, and single-track trails.

Distances

• 29K - 17.8 miles
• 14K - 9 miles

Course and logistics

The 29K is two loops: the first loop goes over the Baldfaces and returns to a fully stocked aid station at the field (approximately mile 8.6), then a second loop summits Mount Meader before returning to the finish. The 14K is a single loop over the Baldfaces with more than 3,000 feet of climbing before descending Bicknell Ridge Trail back to the field. Parking and the staging area are on private property accessed from Route 113; parking is in a grass field. Organizers note a local road (Hurricane Mountain Road) is not suitable for RVs or trailers.

Mandatory gear, aid, and qualifications

Both courses require runners to carry mandatory gear: 2 liters of fluids, 400 calories of food, a windbreaker or rain shell, and a space or emergency foil blanket. The event is cupless; aid stations will not provide disposable cups. The 29K has one on-course aid station; the 14K has no on-course aid stations. Entrants are expected to have completed a hilly, moderately technical trail race of at least 10 miles or have sufficient mountain experience; the Baldfaces include sections that require scrambling. Time limits are approximately 9 hours for the 29K and 8 hours for the 14K. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.