Trails Used

Pierce Lead Mine Trail, Black Forest trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Today's Adventure took us to Goshen, NH to explore the the Lead Mine once owned by President Franklin Pierce, but was it a Lead Mine? We were curious whether it is was a leaded or unleaded mine. Spoiler Alert...It was Graphite Mine also know as a Plumbago Mine. No lead was ever mined there, but still a great hike to see it. Really enjoyed this hike and seeing the'LEAD'mine, even though it never produced any lead. We continued on up to the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway to see the views from Lucia Lookout.

Parking

Plenty of parking if you dare to go all the way to the parking lot. It is a class 6 road. Parking along Mountain road is available too.

Water Crossings

All Bridged

Wildlife

They were not too bad, but we all got a few ticks

Trails Used

Five Summers Trail, Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, Bear Pond Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

This was a fun loop, that was quick for its length. Five Summers Trail is gradual and easy, though there are several very wet and muddy areas. The place where it diverges from the snowmobile trail 0.4 below the junction with the MSG is well signed. MSG from the junction up to Lucia's Lookout is steep, but it's only 0.2 miles to the lookout. And the view is superb from there. This was my first time hiking a significant stretch of the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, and it's quite a nice trail. It's mostly smooth, and significantly drier than Five Summers or Bear Pond. It has some ups and downs, but they're mostly gradual and don't go on for too long. The Steve Galpin Shelter, where I stopped for lunch, is nice, and has two privies, but doesn't have any water source nearby (since it's at the top of a ridge). It's the kind of trail where you can move quickly most of the time, which I was glad for since my phone battery was draining a lot quicker than I anticipated. Bear Pond Trail is also a snowmobile trail, and was wet and muddy in several places but also has some good dry sections. It was a nice easy way to end the hike. The temperature and breeze made the conditions very pleasant today. I didn't see any other hikers on the trails.

Parking

Parking is $4. The lot is on grass next to a small playground. There aren't any signs for the trails there, but just continue up the gravel road from there past a few campsites and you'll come to a point where Balance Rock Trail (signed) goes left and Five Summers Trail (not signed here) bears right.

Water Crossings

Everything was bridged.

Wildlife

They're out. I put on bug spray at the beginning of the hike, and it worked well so I didn't need my head net, but if I stopped to look at something (particularly at the lower elevations), they would start to come at me. The key here is to just keep moving, and these trails around here are gradual so it's straightforward to do just that. In addition, the overgrown snowmobile trail sections probably have a lot of ticks. I've already found one on me.

Trails Used

Black Mountain Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

This is a beautiful, very isolated, 4.8 mile hike. The hike includes Pierce Graphite Mine. Views from the summit are gorgeous. Muggy day. We didn't see anyone else.

Parking

Parking is in a small field next to trail. It's reached by driving down a very rocky dirt road.

Water Crossings

There were a few water crossings that were easily done.

Wildlife

Small black bugs kept biting me. Relentless.