Trails Used

Black Cap Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

I naturally wake at 4 am in the morning. So while the family was still sleeping I hit up Dunks for a black coffee and scooted over to Black Cap TH. I needed to bag this one for 500 Highest. Not a lot to note trail wise. It is mainly a mountain bike trail so it is pretty easy hiking. The ledges were amazing and the only spot where bikes aren't allowed. I had some killer views with the early morning sun. they were all to the west kind of a bummer for a sunrise. Great morning to be out.

Parking

Plenty at 5 am

Water Crossings

none

Wildlife

none

Trails Used

Black Cap Trail, Black Cap Spur, Black Cap Connector, Cranmore Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Climbed Black Cap first; then did an out-and-back to Cranmore Mountain. I was surprised Cranmore is mostly downhill from Black Cap. There were many folks out hiking, mountain biking, and chair lift riding. The chair lift riders were enjoying food and drink on the deck at the top of Cranmore. I have to admit, the beer looked very tempting. Both summits had great views today. It was nice to have a break from the wildfire smoke.

Parking

Parked at the Black Cap trailhead on Hurricane Mountain Road.

Water Crossings

None

Wildlife

Not bad.

Trails Used

Black Cap Trail, Black Cap Connector, Black Cap Spur

Trail Conditions

Notes

First time back here since the trail reconstruction and parking expansion were done. Easier than ever to zip up and down. This is definitely more popular with mountain bikers now and I saw several riders peddling up. Views on top continue to very slowly grow in. Some trimming here and there wouldn't be a bad thing.

Parking

The parking lot at the top of Hurricane Mtn. Rd. is huge now and was pretty full on this day.

Wildlife

Not too much of an issue with the wind.

Trails Used

Black Cap Mountain trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Hiked to summit then found a nice ledge for a beautiful sunset. Love this time of year.

Parking

Huge parking lot at height of land on Hurricane Mtn road

Wildlife

50’s & breezy kept them away

Trails Used

Middle Mountain : Black Cap Connector : Black Cap Spur : Peaked Mountain Connector : Peaked Mountain : Middle Mountain Connector

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

The only people I met were on the Middle Mountain Trail. I was a bit surprised to see a boot trail all the way out to Black Cap Mountain. There is a mix of surface conditions; frozen slush/ice, snow, rock, and soil. The snow is never deep. The deepest snow was in the col below the Black Cap Connector - Mason Brook junction (perhaps 8" inches or so deep). There was some water running on the trail in places, but I've seen worse on this route in the past. Some mud on the Middle Mountain Trail in the warm afternoon sun. An old pair of microspikes worked out fine. Wore gaiters. Snowshoes would be impractical. There were snowmobile tread marks on the Black Cap Spur. The tracks were over snow, ledges, rocks, and the log steps. Great views from Black Cap summit, the ledges on the Peaked Mountain Trail, and a lookout ledge just off the Middle Mountain Connector.

Parking

Plenty of room in the Thompson Street lot that also accommodates walkers to Pudding Pond. This lot can fill up quickly on good weekends and there is no parking on the roadside.

Water Crossings

The only water crossing that isn't narrow was a small brook down low on the Middle Mountain Trail that is spanned by a plank.

Wildlife

Saw a few flying insects