| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Black Mountain (Benton), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Black Mountain Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, December 24, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Dirt road (Howe Hill Rd) off Rt116 up to the various parking areas (there are a few) are best traveled by a SUV/similar (as there are some minor ruts, nothing too bad if you go slow). Google Maps directs you to Bowles Rd just before the trailhead (stay on Howe Hill Rd instead). As you approach trail head, Howe Hill Rd is marked private on maps. However, the private seems to be for a driveway deeper in for a seasonal cabin not currently used. Looks like in summer you could drive up a little further and avoid an extra .3-mile walk (each way) where you see the first brown “P” sign. There are several clearings further up past the first “P” sign, but today the road is a little more challenging with current partially frozen mud/etc. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Minor and easy to cross |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lots of blowdowns, trail maintenance needed |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
2 sets of dogs encountered on leashes |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Road and trail are freezing back up and mostly snow free now (still a bit mushy with lots of blow downs).
Went the day before Xmas and only ran into 2 others. Didn’t run into anyone taking the Chippewa Trail. Trail was tame, first half low elevation gain, rest steady but not difficult to summit.
There is frozen mud/ice in the 2nd half of the trail, with some avoidable by walking on an established side path or using micro spikes. There is no snow and very little ice at the summit. Day we went it was partially cloudy hiking some of the 180-degree views and no wind. Temps 34-38.
All in all, lots of views for the effort. There are 2 other ways up Black Mt, on the Chippewa trail (3-400’ more elevation gain needed over 3.9miles round trip) and another way off Dugout Rd (off Rt116) – looks like 1.2 miles more needed to meet up with the early part of Black Mt trail. Of the 3 ways up, Black Mt trail looks the easiest and the trail is well established (although blazes aren’t everywhere, but the path is well worn and in many cases wide/road).
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|
 | Name: |
MikeR |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-24 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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