2,830 ft | Benton | 0 routes
As of October 16, 2026
Trail conditions on Black Mountain (Benton) are currently rated Moderate. At 8:40 PM ET it was 51°F at the summit (2,830 ft), feeling like 46°F, with W winds at 14 mph. See the hour-by-hour Black Mountain (Benton) weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Feels like 46°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.02" (24h) · 0.45" (48h)
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Moderate rain and strong winds are in the forecast for Friday night, with a sharp cooldown behind it: Saturday's high is only 35°F with lows in the mid-20s, so wet surfaces will likely refreeze. Sunday looks drier and milder (high 46°F, 0% precip) but still cold with a freezing start. Sunset is early (about 6 PM), so plan for limited daylight.
Temperatures drop about 1.6°F per 1,000 ft, so the summit runs a few degrees colder than the trailhead with notably stronger winds (wind chill near 22°F vs 27°F). The freezing level is above the summit now but will drop as the cold air arrives, so dress in layers and add a windproof shell and insulation as you gain elevation.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday late morning through early afternoon, after the freeze-up loosens and the dry, overcast conditions settle in. Saturday is cold and likely icy; if hiking then, wait for midday and carry traction.
Last synthesized Oct 16, 8:40 PM ET
Planning a hike here this week?
Trailblazer adds the full 7-day summit forecast, the best day to go for every peak, and conditions for each route up.
Trail: Guinea Pond Trail, Black Mountain Pond Trail, Algonquin Trail, road walk
Conditions: Dry Trail
“Up Guinea Pond Trail, left on Black Mtn Pond Trail, up and down Algonquin Trail, and a short road walk back to the car. This route is very gradual for the first four miles or so (to Black Mountain Pond). Then it gets your attention by climbing the ledges south of Black Mountain (1000 feet in 0.8 miles). As you climb, the views from the ledges get progressively better. I enjoyed lunch from one of the ledges just below the intersection with Algonquin Trail. From that intersection to Sandwich Dome, Algonquin Trail is a 1.7 mile ridge walk, mostly in the trees with minor ups and downs. Below the intersection with Black Mountain Pond Trail, Algonquin Trail is very steep and scrambly. It makes for a slow descent, but it is a lot of fun. (I learned after the hike that Algonquin is one of the electives on the T25 list.) After the steep bits, Algonquin trail is a more gradual descent to Sandwich Notch Rd. Obviously, most people climb Sandwich Dome from the north. If you are looking for a bigger challenge, I definitely recommend this route. It features a beautiful Black Mountain Pond, varied terrain, and countless views. Despite the reputation for being notoriously wet in the Guinea Pond and Black Mountain Pond areas, take plenty of water. I didn't find any water flowing fast enough to put through a filter.”
Trail: Chippewa Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail
“Surprised by how completely dry everything was after it absolutely stormed last night. Very dry grippy slabs and no mudpits anywhere made for summit zoomies up and down”
Trail: Wildcat River Trail, Bog Brook Trail, bushwhack
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Followed the previous report to the hairpin and started whack to recognized HP. Chose to take a straight line down to logging road system shown on Gaia to shave mileage on return and saved a mile off rather than going back the way we came. Found good and just ok woods until logging road system where things turned wet and nasty until logging road Wildcat Brook 233 which is an excellent road.”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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24°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 24°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
10h 52m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 5:56 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Rising to 2,830 feet in the Benton Range of northwestern New Hampshire, this moderately challenging summit offers a rewarding outing for hikers seeking a less-trafficked alternative to the region's more celebrated peaks. The mountain is part of the 52 With a View (52 WAV) peak list, recognizing its notable panoramic perspectives. The trail ascends through northern hardwood and conifer forest before reaching open ledges that reward hikers with expansive views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The above-treeline exposure near the summit provides a sense of openness uncommon for a peak of this elevation. The hike strikes a balance between accessibility and genuine mountain character, making it appealing to intermediate hikers building experience or enthusiasts working through the 52 WAV list. Its location in the quieter Benton Range ensures a relatively peaceful experience away from the crowds common on the White Mountains' major routes.
Elevation
2,830 ft
Range
Benton
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
44.0674, -71.9426
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
12.3 mi away
1 incident on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
46-year-old female hiker from Acton, MA
Hillary Reid, 46, slipped and fell on icy rocks on the Chippewa Trail on Black Mountain, sustaining an injury. After attempting to continue, she and her partner called for help. Conservation Officers and Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team volunteers carried her down steep, icy terrain to the trailhead, where she was transported to Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, NH.