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Nature|Mountains

This Underrated Ski Mountain In New Hampshire Will Have You Zipping Down The Slopes With Virtually No Lines

Black Mountain Ski Area in Jackson, New Hampshire, offers a serene and historic skiing experience with minimal lines and trails for all skill levels.

Published Mar 4, 2021

Written by 

Michelle

New Hampshire has a lot to offer throughout the year but as we've been saying a lot these days, winter might be the best! We've loving ski trips and snow tubing, but the only problem are the lines that come with limited capacity. For that reason we've been on the hunt for the smaller, lesser-known spots to get outside. And this little resort is one of our favorites!

Black Mountain Ski Area in Jackson is one of the oldest in the state, but it's often not the most visited.

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Robin Martyn / Google

The first trail on the mountain was cut in 1934 and while the slopes didn't become what they are today for quite a few years, we still have a special place in our hearts for the history here. A lot of people don't know that one of the first snow making systems in the region!

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Black Mountain / Facebook

But what we love most is that just about every time we visit things here are simple and calm.

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chaunur / TripAdvisor

But don't for one second think that this place is dinky! There are more than 40 trails here served by five different lifts.

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Todd Rademacher / Google

And, depending on when you visit, you're likely to find the lifts easy to access with minimal lines.

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William Sherman / Google

And that means getting more skiing in during your visit.

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Black Mountain / Facebook

The mountain is great for all levels, whether you're putting on skis for the first time or you've been loving the slopes since birth.

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blackmt.com

You won't find a huge lodge with a fancy bar here, but you will find some great customer service, beautiful trails, and people who simply love to ski.

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Todd Rademacher / Google

Black Mountain offers lessons and rentals, plus trails all the way up to expert-level.

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Chris Newcomb / Google

This is a place you'll want to visit before the season is over!

Black Mountain Ski Area is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can check out lift tickets and learn more about the resort by checking out their website. You can also check them out on Facebook. You can reach them on 800-475-4669.

Looking for more snowy fun? Tackle a 25-story snow tubing hill on Little Sister Trail at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire this year.

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Nature|Mountains

Come Along And Explore New Hampshire’s Rose Mountain Preserve With Me

Published Apr 11, 2024

Written by 

Ken MacGray

As I've mentioned in other articles, southern New Hampshire is a haven for hikers and has an almost limitless number of places to get outside! We may not have the high peaks down here but these New Hampshire mountains provide everything from easy ascents to steep and strenuous traverses. Rose Mountain in Lyndeborough falls into the former category, so let's revisit a hike I did here in October of 2023.

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Rose Mountain Preserve, tucked away in Lyndeborough, lies along a low ridge that provides excellent views.

A trail map sign stands in a forest with colorful autumn foliage, indicating paths and features of the area.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

Piscataquog Land Conservancy has protected Rose Mountain and its surrounding slopes for future generations to enjoy.

A stone cairn stands tall among greenery and autumn leaves under a clear blue sky.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

This ridge also includes the summit of Lyndborough Mountain and the peak known as "The Pinnacle." The finest views up here can be found from the summit of Rose Mountain.

A scenic view of autumn foliage with colorful trees, rocky terrain, and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

The hike up to Rose Mountain is a beautiful walk during autumn when foliage color is on display, as it was during my visit in October 2023.

A serene forest path lined with trees displaying vibrant yellow autumn leaves.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

An easy hiking route, part of which doubles as a snowmobile route in winter, reaches the grassy summit of Rose Mountain from a trailhead on Scout Road.

A rocky landscape with sparse grass and trees, featuring a blank signpost against a cloudy sky.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

When I visited, I was pleasantly surprised to find a spur path from the summit to an open ledge that provided an excellent view to the west. A fine spot to rest before heading down!

A scenic view of autumn foliage with mountains in the background and rocky terrain in the foreground.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

No matter if you are a seasoned hiker of New Hampshire mountains or are just getting started on the trails, I heartily recommend the trip to Rose Mountain for the beautiful scenery. For more information on Rose Mountain Preserve and to download a trail map, visit Piscataquog Land Conservancy.

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A note about driving access: It's best to put this one on your hiking schedule for when the snow and mud are gone, as a sturdy vehicle is required to reach the trailhead via unmaintained roads.

Here's another great hike to put on your "bucket" list for later in the summer: Gap Mountain. And by "bucket," I mean bring one along because there will be plenty of blueberries!

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/definition-of-an-underrated-adventure-nh/

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Nature|Mountains

I Enjoyed Sweeping Views On Top Of New Hampshire’s Bog Mountain

Published Apr 7, 2024

Written by 

Ken MacGray

When it comes to hiking in New Hampshire, the White Mountains and their high summits tend to get all the glory. But let's not forget about our little hills down here in southern New Hampshire! There are plenty of 'em and it's been my honor to get to just about every nook and cranny in this part of the state as the editor of the AMC Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide. Bog Mountain in Wilmot is one hike that offers a big reward for little effort and can be reached by an easy New Hampshire hiking trail.

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Bog Mountain Trail traverses, what else, Bog Mountain in Wilmot, a low mountain named for a marshy area at its southern base. It's a 4.4-mile section of the long-distance Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway.

Sign for Bog Mountain Trail indicating foot traffic only, with distances to summit and Wilmot Town Hall.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

On a sunny but chilly December day in 2023, I set out to walk the entire trail over the mountain and then back again.

A serene forest scene with a small stream winding through trees and fallen leaves on the ground.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

In typical New Hampshire fashion, the trail gets pretty rough in places. It ain't New Hampshire if there aren't rocks!

Rocky terrain with scattered boulders and bare trees under a clear blue sky.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

This was a good time of year to visit, as there were clearer views of the surrounding landscape along the trail due to the lack of leaves on the trees.

A rocky outcrop overlooks a forested valley with bare trees and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

The partly open summit ledges on Bog Mountain provide good views to the northwest, southwest, and south.

A rocky landscape with sparse trees and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

I also popped down to a southeasterly viewpoint which can be reached by an informal side path.

A scenic view from a rocky outcrop, showcasing rolling hills and a distant lake under a clear blue sky.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

The western section of Bog Mountain Trail provides a good look at its neighbor, Mt. Kearsarge, which rises about 2,000 feet above the surrounding landscape.

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A rocky landscape with sparse trees, overlooking a distant mountain under a clear blue sky.
Ken MacGray/Google Photos

Bog Mountain Trail is one New Hampshire hiking trail where it's advantageous to do a car spot (put a vehicle at both ends) so you can hike the entire trail over the mountain. For more information on the trail and how to access it, and to download a trail map, visit the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway website. Also, refer to the AMC Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide for a description of the trail. You can never be too prepared!

Also, check out these ten short and easy hikes that are all under five miles!

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/hikes-under-5-miles-nh/

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