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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Black Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Black Mountain Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, April 1, 2012
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: There is parking at the trailhead for four or five cars in a muddy lot. Driving the last two-tenths of a mile to this trailhead requires a high-clearance vehicle. There's parking alongside Howe Hill Road for one or two cars where a trail sign arrow-points forward to the official trailhead -- parking here avoids the last bumpy, rocky two-tenths.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: n/a 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: This trail is in very fine shape right now.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: This is an excellent hike for dogs, with the caveat to be mindful of water. There are small draws just below and just above the 1,750-foot elevation level that may or may not flow year-round (they will freeze in winter). At 2,375 feet there's a small brook with better flow that is year-round. That's it for available water on this route.  
Bugs
Bugs: Not yet.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Found a pair of women's sunglasses about a quarter-mile below the junction with the Chippewa Trail where it looked like someone took a spill on some blue ice that was hidden by snow.

We also found and removed three empty Bud Light cans that we found at three different points along the route. (People: When you show off your douchebagness by leaving trash in the outdoors, at least choose a better class of beer can.)  
 
Comments
Comments: Black Mountain in Benton.


On previous climbs I've always used the Chippewa Trail from Lime Kiln Road, as do most people. Today we wanted to explore the other route up this small peak (2,830 feet). The WMG doesn't think much of the Black Mountain Trail, but I found it to be a quiet, peaceful, and altogether lovely way to the top. It was a very good trail today for Josie, who joined Polly and me on just her second real hike.


There are several muddy spots, especially down low, that will get worse before they get better. And right now there are a handful of blue-ice stretches up near the top; these can, with a bit of care, be maneuvered around.


At the top: Excellent views of Moosilauke and Mt. Clough -- probably the best view that can be had of these two mountains together. Franconia Ridge and the Kinsmans crenellate the view to the east. The top knob of Mt. Ascutney pokes up to the south, and to the west are the many mountains and ridgelines of Vermont. Indeed, Black Mountain has a well-deserved spot on the 52 WAV list.


Nice to meet Buffalo from VFTT and his pretty daughter at the summit (the only people we saw on the hike). Sorry about Polly stealing the PB&J sandwich!


P.S. This hike was the maiden voyage for my new non-winter daypack, a Deuter ACT Trail 32; Loanshark recommended the brand. What a nice pack this is! There were times when I forgot I was even wearing a daypack, which never happened with my old one. My opinion: a really great piece of equipment. Thanks, Skip. (And thanks to REI for a well-timed sale.)


Photos of the pack and hike at link below.  
Name
Name: The Feathered Hat 
E-Mail
E-Mail: stevebjerklie at yahoo dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2012-04-01 
Link
Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/99682097@N00/sets/72157629717073139/ 
Bookmark and Share 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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