| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Black Cap, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Washington Valley Recreation Path, Side Hill Mountain Bike Trail, Black Cap Connector Trail, Black Cap Spur Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, November 27, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Wide open at the Thompson Rd. trailhead in Conway. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The only remaining head scratcher since my last recent visit here is why the lower 0.5 mi. of Black Cap Connector Trail is blazed in blue, but above its junction with Peaked Mtn. Trail (also blazed in blue), it is blazed in red. Do both trails coincide for that lower half mile? Blazing says maybe but current signage says no. Numerous trees of various sizes are down along the length of this route. Heavy erosion continues to eat away at Black Cap Spur Trail, dislodging rock and wooden structures. On the open ledges on top of Black Cap, cairns would be ideal. If not, the blazes should be repainted. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Out-and-back to Black Cap from Thompson Rd. to get some updates for the next White Mountain Guide. While the distance is on the longer side at just shy of 10 mi. round-trip, these trails are generally mellow with good footing and you can move along easily.
Trails were mostly wet from recent rain and snow melt. No snow left now. Upper parts of the connector along the snowmobile route portion had mud and puddles in places. The ledges around the summit of Black Cap had scattered patches of black ice to watch out for. No need for traction at this point.
As expected for a holiday, a very quiet day here. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-11-27 |
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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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