“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” ~ Edward Abbey
Black Cap
Black Cap is one of my favorite short hikes in the White Mountains. Just about two and half miles round trip, it is also a relatively easy hike making it quite popular for tourists and locals alike who crave some nature, but don’t want to be in the woods all day.
Many locals will run up and down it. I am not that adventurous, nor did I really feel like exerting THAT much energy. That said you can easily do the hike in about a half hour (if you are hauling derriere, and ALMOST running) which made it perfect to do after my brother got out of work.
Despite the short trek, it has a huge bang for your buck. It is one of those mountains you could safely hike (with the proper equipment) to see sunrise and sunset.
The Trek
I am going to sound completely basic, but guys I would love nature a heck of a lot better, if their were no bugs. They are the bang of my existence and seem to love me. (funnily enough I can’t get the right man to love me, but bugs do? go figure.) Black Cap seems to attract ALL the black flies, which is a huge deterrent to me.
Despite the blood thirsty insects, I armed myself with bug spray, got myself ready and then my brother and I ran from the car to the trail head and may or may not have been spraying it in our wake.
I’ll be honest it was (probably) quite comical and SHOULD have been filmed if I was sure it wouldn’t be used for blackmail purposes.
As much as I try not to be, I admit in many ways, the most basic of ways I might add, I really am a city girl.
Sunset At The Top
Once we started hiking, the flies seemed to leave us alone, and we had no problems with them the rest of the hike. It took us about a half hour at a moderate pace to reach the top. We weren’t on the hunt to win any races, and actually stopped a couple times to take pictures. It surprisingly wasn’t busy and aside from one other group, we had the peak to ourselves.
We hiked to the summit which is actually not the best view as it is shrouded with trees. But we had to reach the highest point or it wouldn’t have counted right?
We then made our way to some cliffs on the side, which may or may not have involved some bushwhacking (I cannot for sure confirm this) where we watched the sun set over the Moats.
Trek Back
My brother had brought headlamps, (he is the consummate hiker) but we didn’t need them, as it was still light as we made our way down.
Once we moved past the rocky section we decided to run down the mountain, (Which might be considered idiotic) and actually made it to the car in about fifteen minutes.
I would like to say for the record I totally beat him too.
The whole hike took about an hour, but it was worth every moment. It may not have been a four thousand footer, but seeing the sunset was so incredibly magical. It reminded me WHY I love where I grew up.
There is nothing like detoxing from technology every once in awhile and getting to be one with nature. (hopefully not one with bugs though) Being atop a mountain reminds us of how big and vast the world is and how small, but mighty we are to be able to climb those peaks. The sweat, the struggle and yes even fights with bugs, we make it to the top to witness just a slice of the beautiful world that God has created. And it truly is incredibly beautiful despite everything that goes on in it.
Where do you like to watch the sunset? have you ever watched a sunset from a mountain top?
Beautiful pictures <3
Thank you sweets! <3
totally agree about the bug thing lol, I h8 them. such a gorgeous sunset, love the pics!! sounds like a really fun hike 🙂
Right? They are the worst! Thanks beauty! It was worth it! It really is! If you ever go up to the White Mountains I highly recommend it! <3
Wow! Amazing views 🙌
Thank you! <3
Haha! I cannot find the right guy to love me, but I swear insects are queing up to marry me! I hate bugs as well, and equally, I would nature SO much more, if they just – permenantly hid. But wow to these views and the sunset! It looks the best hike. I would be in such a place of zen if I was standing at the top of those mountains. Gorgeous photos as always! xx
Right?!?! Like why bugs? Why?!?! I do NOT want to marry them! Lol. Yes they need to stay gone! I actually like winter hiking for that reason.
It was stunning! I could have sat up there for hours. Thank you sweets! <3
I am definitely a city girl, too! Haha love all these photos. They’re magical. 😍
Yay for being a city girl! Awe thanks sweets! It really was magical! Worth the fight with the insects….kinda :p <3
Oh my goodness, these pictures are heavenly😭! I probably would’ve stopped hiking completely and watch that sunset😄
Awe thank you so much! I definitely did not want to leave. It was gorgeous! <3
Really enjoyed this and enjoyed seeing some of you surface in the post! Love you !
Awe thank you! Love you too! <3
Beautiful pictures!! My favorite place to watch the sunset would have to be at the park behind my house … there’s this little hill with the perfect view of the sun setting just behind the trees!
Thank you so much! I love that! It sounds gorgeous! <3
Beautiful photos girly, you’re always finding the best spots! I also love nature, but I cannot stand bugs they just creep me out and I have a paralysing fear of them breeding in my hair *shudders* xxxx
Awe thank you sweets! It is funny, now that I don’t live at home anymore, I love going back and exploring. Right? Oh my god girl the images you just evoked! And that is so very real!
Ummm I may or may not have had a mouse in my hair when I slept once…The scarring was real! :p <3
What a glorious post! Your photos are jaw-dropping, Kate. And how wonderful that you got to share this experience with your brother … one day you two will treasure these memories (and in hindsight you can delete the bugs, LOL). xx
Awe thank you so much sweets! That means so much coming from you! I really love that we get to go hiking together! They are memories I already treasure so much! Minus the bugs! Lol. <3
THESE VIEWS. Gosh these pictures are amazing. LOL- you cracked me up about the bugs, I feel the exact same way though. I have had far too many cobwebs in my mouth while running … no Bueno! I wonder why I put myself through that sometimes.
Holy. Cow. These pictures could be framed. The one of the hills, trees, and blue/orange contrast is seriously taking my breath away. I would buy that.
I am obsessssed with these pictures. Obsessed.
Thanks beauty! It is one of my favorite places to hike! Right? They are a nuisance! I feel like a human wind shield with them! I feel the same way!
Awe thank yoU! That means so much to me! You are the best! <3
Wow the sunset is so beautiful!! What an amazing hike xx
Thank you! <3
Its okay xx
Okay, could these pictures get any more beautiful?! WOW!
Awe thank you! ,3
I love Black Cap! Best views for the least amount of effort!
That is SO true! And I love that you can do it for sunrise or sunset! 🙂 <3