| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Black Mountain, Howe Hill, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Howe Hill Road, Black Mountain Trail, herd paths, bushwhack |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 30, 2017 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
At the fence / hiker sign at the maintained end of Howe Hill Road (don't block the driveway). Regular cars should park here. High clearance can drive a quarter mile further to the actual trailhead. The unmaintained portion of the road is in rough shape, with protruding boulders, ruts and mud. There is one small sinkhole where the road has collapsed. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lots of erosion in a few spots along the BMT. The trail is not blazed but doesn't really need it. The corridor is wide and clear the whole way. Several wooden water bars are rotted away and need to be replaced. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure, but keep them under control. I was met by an aggressive dog at the summit. The owner leashed it but only after I said something. This isn't rocket surgery folks. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Hardly any. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
I'd never been up this route to Black, so I decided to check it out. Not very exciting overall, as it follows logging roads and the old tractor road for the former fire tower. However, its short and grades are easy to moderate with good footing. The trail was mostly dry with just a few slightly muddy areas which were drying out. The logging road section is a bit grassy. Stellar views today with the great weather. I lounged on the ledges for a while. From the eastern edge of the summit ledges, I took the herd path to Tipping Rock, and to an expansive ledge just beyond. I think this is probably nicer than the summit. Moosilauke is really front and center with no obstructions. I took a short nap here.
On a whim, I decided to bushwhack over to Howe Hill on the way down. At the first switchback (if descending), an ancient logging road leaves right and uphill. This turned into a well defined herd path which shortly joined another old road. As it veered off away from Howe, I left the path and whacked through easy, but very ferny woods. Ferns were waist to chest high. I moved slowly and deliberately as I couldn't see my feet. Nothing at the summit of Howe. A birch tree on a prominent bump seems to be the high point. I mostly followed the same route down, skirting some of the ferny stuff. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2017-07-30 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
