Black Mountain sits at 2,829 feet in the far western White Mountains, just northwest of Mount Moosilauke in the town of Benton. The broad, open summit is a perennial favorite on the 52 With a View list, with rock ledges offering sweeping views of Moosilauke's bulk to the southeast and across the quieter Benton Range. A fire tower once stood here; its removal left the ledges unobstructed. The area carries a trace of industrial history as well: near the Chippewa trailhead, remnants of 19th-century lime kilns survive along the roadside, lending Lime Kiln Road its name.
Two routes reach the summit. The Chippewa Trail departs from Lime Kiln Road and covers 3.6 miles round-trip with a direct, steep push gaining over 1,500 feet in 1.8 miles; it passes several open ledge viewpoints before the top. The Black Mountain Trail starts from Howe Hill Road and runs 4.2 miles round-trip with 1,253 feet of elevation gain, staying relatively flat for the first mile before climbing the ridge. Both trails are straightforward in dry conditions.
Spring mud season (April through early May) can make either trail difficult, and icy sections on the upper ledges are common in winter; microspikes are advisable from November through April. The summit's open character leaves it exposed in wind and cold, so extra layers are worth packing on shoulder-season visits.
