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Route Summary This hike goes up to the White Mountain National Forest's Black Mountain Cabin and to a knob of Black Mountain; there are views of the nearby mountains from both destinations. The cabin is locked and must be reserved ahead of time with the Saco Ranger District office (603.447.5448).
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Trail Guide The first part of this report is a description of a hike up Black Mountain Ski Trail which leads to Black Mountain Cabin and as well as a knob of Black Mountain. The second section describes winter plans incorporating this trail as well as others into an invigorating daylong journey involving both cross-country skiing and downhill skiing. The Summer Hike | Think Snow: Winter Skiing Plans The Summer Hike On August 28, 2008 we hiked up Black Mountain Ski Trail to explore its potential for telemark skiing. The trail goes through an open field and turns right, away from two farmhouses into a 20-foot wide ski trail that gradually steepens. Some of the pitches are off-camber, a quality that would make for a fun descent. A softwood forest of beech and birch yields to pine as the trail steepens to the cabin maintained by the WMNF. We enjoyed a fine view of the summit of Mount Washington and Huntington Ravine on a perfectly clear day. Continuing on the left behind the cabin is a very narrow trail leading to a spur with an even more impressive view of Mount Hight, Carter Notch and Carter Dome. Returning to the trail, we continued left to make a loop back to the cabin. A massive blowdown completely blocked the trail, but it is possible to take the trail to the right of the cabin to the Bald Land cross-country ski trail. Think Snow: Winter Skiing Plans Although we thought the hiking on Black Mountain Ski Trail was easy/moderate we would rate it differently for skiing. The upper half would be most difficult, most of the lower half would be more difficult, and finally the end through the field would be easy. Our winter plan is to skin up the Bald Land and East Pasture cross-country ski trails to the summit, ski the narrow snowshoe trail to Black Mountain Cabin, descend the wonderful Black Mountain Ski Trail, then ski the nearby Wildcat Valley Ski Trail through the woods to the Black Mountain connector trail . After descending an alpine ski trail at Black Mountain ski area, I can purchase a one-trip lift ticket that will deposit me near another cross-country connector. A final descent of the Bald Land Trail will lead us to the parking lot near the beautiful Windy Hill Bed and Breakfast.
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Driving Directions
The Black Mountain Ski Trailhead is located in Jackson, New Hampshire, off of Carter Notch Road. From Rt. 16:
Other Notes Although not all of Carter Notch Road is open during the winter, this section from Jackson to the Black Mountain Ski Trail is open year round. WMNF Recreational Pass A parking permit is required to park at White Mountain National Forest trailheads and parking areas. You can purchase a WMNF permit from the forest service and other vendors and can also pay-by-the-day using self-service kiosks located in many parking areas. For more information on parking passes please refer to the White Mountain National Forest website. Rates:
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