Black Mountain (Benton NH) via Black Mountain Trail
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Blueberry Mountain (Benton, NH) Overview
Black Mountain (2,829’) is on the western side of the White Mountains near Mount Moosilauke and is one of the easier hikes on the 52 With a View List, making it great for those just starting to work on the list. It is one of those hikes that people probably do not hike unless they are working to complete the 52 With a View List.
Trail Details
Trail: Black Mountain Trail
Length: 4.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,260 feet
My Trail Time: 1.75 hours hiking; 2 hours total
Hike Overview
Although Black Mountain is among the shortest mountains on the list, it does not lack beautiful views! The ledges near the summit look east towards Mount Moosilauke, Cannon Mountain, and Franconia Ridge.
Even though Black Mountain is one on the easier side, it still gains over 1,200 feet of elevation. After the first flat section, the trail consistently climbs to the summit without many breaks. But it is not overly technical.
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Black Mountain (Benton, NH) via Black Mountain Trail Guide
November 17, 2024
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.
Black Mountain is one of the hikes on the 52 With a View List I have been putting off because it is on the other side of the White Mountains. We decided to make the drive and check it off the list on a beautiful, chilly Sunday in November, hoping it would be quiet on the trail.
The trailhead was a bit difficult to find, so I will give an overview of how to get to it! Once you are on Howes Hill Road, you continue to drive until you reach the last house. You will then take a right onto the dirt road next to the hiking sign. Drive down the dirt road until you see the Black Mountain Trailhead sign, and park in the small lot.
After we finally found the trailhead, we started our hike to Black Mountain! The first 0.3 miles of the trail followed along what seemed to be an old road before turning left at the first trail junction. Black Mountain Trail continued to follow along a flat and wide path until we reached the “hiking trail” sign, where we could see the trail began to steepen.
The last 1.2 miles of the trail were uneventful and a consistent climb to the summit of Black Mountain, but it was not overly technical! Most of the trail had little rocks or roots, and as we know, this is always a nice change of pace for trails in the White Mountains. The trail also did not have too many fallen leaves, which was rare for this time of year.
As we approached the summit, the Black Mountain Trail became steeper with rocks. This section was stunning because of the moss-covered forest with pins and ferns (three of my favorite plants!).
Soon enough, we arrived at the spur to the left leading to the ledges. The spur was not marked, but our map helped us find it once we approached the summit.
The spur was short and steep, but we were quickly rewarded with stunning views looking east into the White Mountains! We could see Mount Moosilauke, Cannon Mountain, and Franconia Ridge since we had a cloudless day. I was in awe of the views, and we had the entire summit to ourselves!
We sat on the summit for a bit, enjoying the views and some snacks. The wind picked up quickly, making the temperatures drop, so we decided to begin our descent.
Once we descended the rocky section of the trail just below the summit, we flew along the rest. Since the trail was not technical, with minimal fallen leaves, we made a great time with our descent. Soon enough, we were back at the parking lot!
I really enjoyed hiking Black Mountain! I have heard the views in the fall are spectacular, so maybe I will add it to my fall bucket list.
Have you hiked Black Mountain in Benton, NH?
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!