| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Black Cap, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Middle Mountain : Black Cap Connector : Black Cap Spur |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, December 22, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room at the Thompson Street lot today. This lot fills up on busy weekend days. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All water crossings are narrow. The water was flowing briskly. No difficulty getting over these small brooks. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in good condition.
One tree fall across the Black Cap Connector just uphill from the top of the trail realignment (relocation) section. Currently, hikers are walking around the base of the tree. The hardwood is about 6"-8" diameter.
One fallen tree across the Black Cap Connector in the old blowdown section. This tree has been down for a while. Hikers are stepping over the tree at the end lowest to the ground.
All other blowdowns are close to the surface. No problem to go over. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
From the trailhead up to the point where the Peaked Mountain Trail diverges from the Black Cap Connector is almost all hard packed snow. Thereafter, there is a mix of unconsolidated snow and leafy snow free surfaces. Uphill from the Mason Brook Trail junction there is more ice along with the snow and bare surfaces. The Black Cap Spur Trail has ice including breakable ice. All of the ice on the trails are avoidable. I wore old microspikes to provide some traction. The trail has easy grades throughout.
I met no other hikers on the trails. I chatted with Gerry from Center Conway in the parking area. He is in a select group of hikers who have summited all NH 4K peaks over 80 years old.
If you haven't hiked this route in some time, be aware that the Black Cap Connector Trail junction with the Middle Mountain Trail is a short distance uphill from the old junction.
Great view of the snowy Presidential Range from the summit. Many other peaks and lakes can be seen from the peak. Many ledges are free of snow allowing one to sit and eat lunch. |
|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
|
 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-12-22 |
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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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