| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Lucia’s Lookout, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Pierce Lead Mine Trail, Black Woods Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Took Mountain Rd off of Rt 31. For about .5 miles this dirt road is in excellent shape. At a little over the .5 mark, the road is posted as a Class VI and not maintained for winter travel. Continued on this road for about .2 miles (fine for low clearance) and parked at a Y intersection with a wooden sign and arrow pointing to the Pierce Lead Mine Trail. After reading another report of this “trail/road” being very rocky, I parked here, but after walking it for the .2 miles needed to access the Pierce Lead Mine Trail, I would have no reservations in driving it to the field at the actual start of the trail. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged nicely |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in excellent shape. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would be a great trail for pups. |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies only at the lookouts when I wasn’t moving. My White Mountain Deet Free Insect Repellent worked like a charm. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I’ve had Lucia’s Lookout on my radar for a long time and after reading a recent report about this trail (titled Black Mountain Trail), decided to try it, but there was some initial confusion.
First, the only trail that shows up on Gaia is the Pierce Lead Mine Trail. All Trails also does not show it on the basic map, but does show it when you specifically search for Lucia’s Lookout via Black Woods Trail. This had me all messed up at the start, but finally and thankfully, I sorted it out and kept hiking on the Pierce Lead Mine Trail (PLM).
The PLM is only .8 miles in length and ends at an interesting gorge with a sign indicating it is the Pierce Lead Mine. Blazes are yellow to this point. Just beyond this sign is another sign indicating the start of the Black Woods Trail, blue blazes, and it’s 1.5 miles to Lucia’s Lookout.
The 1.5 mile Black Wood Trail is absolutely beautiful. At times I wondered if some sections weren’t old growth. Magnificent Yellow Birch, Black Cherry and Beech dominates area, giving an almost medieval feel at times. The entire 2.3 mile stretch to the lookout is well taken care of, with beautiful cairns and well blazed.
Finally, the views from both Lucia’s Lookout and it’s East View a short walk away, are exceptional. The views south and east of the southern NH mountains and ranges are unparalleled. |
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 | Name: |
Mark S |
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 | E-Mail: |
wapacked@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-05-26 |
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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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