| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Black Cap, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Middle Mountain Trail, Black Cap Connector, Black Cap Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There is construction on the trail going between the parking area and the Pudding Pond kiosk. There is a sign warning of the trail closure. There are other signs marking the temporary trail up the utility corridor. There are signs on Thompson Road prohibiting parking on the side of the road outside of the designated trailhead parking area. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Small brook is easy to cross |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One small beech (3" - 4" dia) across Black Cap Connector at about 1.5 feet a short distance above the brook crossing. Easy to go over.
The direction arrow sign has been missing for at least a couple years at the upper junction of the Black Cap Connector Trail and the snowmobile trail. There is a very faint yellow blaze on the tree that previously held the arrow. On descent from Black Cap, if the turn on to the path is missed, then the snowmobile trail will lead back to the trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The walk on the temporary trail included many soggy ground even though some wood bridges spanned the more significant water flows. I would guess that 85% of the trail below the junction with the Mason Brook snowmobile trail is free of snow and ice. The snow ice areas can be a bit slippery but can be bare booted with care. Some of the dirt was actually slippery mud on descent under the PM sun. At a point beyond the upper junction of the Black Cap Connector and the snowmobile trail is where I changed over to microspikes. Most of the trail above this point was snow covered. On several occasions I broke through the ice/snow to plunge a short depth (a few inches) where there was little to no water in the cavity under the snow. Luckily, I did not encounter large puddles that I have seen in past years. The summit of Black Cap had many bare ledges and provided excellent views especially of the snow-covered Presidential Range. No need for snowshoes or aggressive traction. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-03-30 |
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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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