| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Black Mountain - Middle Peak, Black Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
East Pasture Ski Trail, bushwhack, logging roads, Bald Land Trail, Bald Land Scenic Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 5, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the end of Black Mountain Road in Jackson - somewhat bumpy dirt lot with room for a dozen or more vehicles. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None via this route - bridged. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Sleeper cells of black flies, but very few biting. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
To start the hike, we took the East Pasture ski trail up to the Black Mountain peak above the cabin (2,757'). While there were a few muddy areas, as well as a few small patches of snow, it was generally smooth sailing. While the peak is near or at the bottom of the list of 52-With-A-View peaks, the views were a bit improved since my last visit. Decent directional view of Carter Notch (Presidentials also visible), as well as the Baldfaces.
From there, we bushwhacked along the ridge, perhaps following the long-lost ridge trail in places. With the leaves down and nice weather, we were able to navigate the ridge without pulling out a compass. While there were a few areas of spruce, prickers, and blowdowns, there were also some nice stretches of open woods. There were a few patches of snow in the shade, but the ridge was generally snow free.
The recognized highpoint is atop a large rock in a fairly open area. One can walk around the area and get pretty much 360 degrees of views, including some great looks at Carter Notch and the Presidentials.
From there, we dropped down the eastern side (steep at first, but generally open woods) and seredipitously ran into the top of the logging road we had thought about using for the descent (the top landing stood out, as it was lined with spruce in an otherwise hardwood stand). From there, we descended via this grown in set of roads down to the logging road that shows on some of the maps (FR238B I think), which we then followed (many ups and downs, a few vague areas and a few junctions) to the Bald Lands Trail.
After a brief stop at the Scenic Vista (expecting a view there is like expecting good music at a Phil Collins concert) to look at what looks to be a route up to Doublehead, we headed back to the East Pasture Trail via th Bald Lands Trail (quite muddy in the middle section). |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-05-05 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/NewHampshire/blackmtn2middlepeak-2013-0505.php |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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