Black Mountain Ski Trail Adventure

In our continued quest for hikes with a view and modest effort, we discovered another Jackson gem in the Black Mountain Ski Trail.  Once again, we took Carter Notch Road up and followed the signs for Black Mountain.  After parking Horace the Honda, we easily found the trailhead.

Trailhead 

A short hike up the road and we came upon a elderly gent clearing some wood. Turns out he lives right on the boundary of the trail.  He said he was 86-years-old and skis about 50 days a year.  Whatever they drink in the water in New Hampshire, I want some!

Road to the trail

This is another woods trail that heads straight up the mountain.  Easy on the feet, but not so much on the lungs.  It doesn't get really steep unit the top and even then, the ground is secure.  It is a 1.4 mile trail with elevation gain of about 1,200 feet.  

Start the hoof up

It was a little muddy, but not too bad.  All in all I think it took us about 45 minutes to sweatily scurry up.  

Woodland trail

From the distance, I could see the top of the cabin that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s (thanks FDR).  It was renovated in 1992 and is very rustic (no electricity and an outside toilet).  But it's only around $20 a night, sleeps 8, and offers a great view of Mount Washington. 

Cabin ho!

We met Alex at the top, who had been staying at the cabin for a few days.  He also stayed at the South Doublehead cabin.  We had lunch and chatted with him and another lovely couple we met from Connecticut for a bit before climbing the additional 0.4 miles to the summit.

Rustic cabin

The Fat Man took these Sepia photos, which really capture the beauty of the cabin.  There's a small wood stove, which Alex said kept him warm.  I might have been game for staying there one night until he mentioned that mice scurry about all night long.  I frown upon free-ranging rodents around my pillow.

Needs a woman's touch

In my opinion, a coat of fresh white paint, decorative glassware, and some hooked rugs could really turn this place into something cozy.  But I think I'll stick with the less rustic AMC huts and comfort-laden bed and breakfasts.  Of course, the Fat Man would love to sleep here.  Alone.

Kitchen area

Pack off break

When the cloud cover moved off, you could actually see the weather station atop Mount Washington.  Alex said he had a telescope and could see cars driving up the auto road.  

The big W: Mount Washington

We packed up and continued up the mountain to the summit.  It was a short, but steep post-lunch climb.  Kind of wished we'd waited to eat at the top as my body was lobbying for a nap.

On to the summit

The view was not as open as at the cabin, but if you stood on a rock, you could see the mountains in the distance.  

Summit view

From the summit, we took a loop trail that brings you back around to the cabin (to the right).  I don't know where the Badland trail leads, but the name alone was enough to dissuade me from taking it.  Some adjectives about bad from the dictionary: wicked or evil character; poor or inferior quality; causing or liable to cause sickness or bad health.  Give me a Goodland trail and I'll take it.

Side loop trail

After the hike, we had a wonderful dinner at the Ledges restaurant at the White Mountain Hotel and Resort.  The Fat Man had scallops and lobster in a delicious pastry puff and I had the gluten-free sesame encrusted ahi tuna (rare).  We both also indulged in a dessert of hot fudge sundaes.  Yum.

Heidi's rating: ★★★ Good work out and a cool place to have lunch.

The Fat Man's rating: 1 pack of black cherry Blox and 2 Snicker's bars.