4/11/13 Black Cap Mtn. and Little Fitts Pond

Colder and windy but sunny. I could not find a map of the Black Cap trail so I altered a map of Fitts Pond. This should be viewed as very approximate.

The trail around the pond starts near the boat launch at the end of the pond.

It closely follows the pond and we were relieved to find little ice- though lots of water on parts of the trail

The trail up Black Cap branches off and again there was little ice but severl blow downs for Kelley to work around

You come out of the woods onto open granite ledge and it feels like you are at the top

but it's back into the woods

First view when you do reach the ridge

There are several towers on the summit and once past them you are back on the trail in the woods. A level pretty straight walk along the ridge

When you come out of the woods there are more views

and soon the trail turns down and back to parallel the ridge for awhile before dropping down to the pond. This trail apparently receives  less use and as it dropped was less clear and some of the blazes were difficult to spot. Kelley was a big help- several times as I stood looking around me for the trail or a blaze she would trot over to the trail as if to say. " it's here".

The pond from the east end

We continued around the pond. There was quite a bit of ice on the north side of the pond- careful stepping for me - no problem for Kelley who managed all her work arounds- blow downs and large boulders- on her own.

One last dip

Overall a nice hike on a pretty day.  3 hours