napalmer927 - Jul 23, 2019 8:52 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2019
Black Mtn/Hearts Pass/Nub 2019
Just wanted to post an update. I went up the Black Mtn Trail on July 20, 2019. Up to the lookout was in very good condition. Black Lake Trail over to the Nub Connector was faint and difficult to follow at times. From here I went over to Isabella Creek, and those 2 miles were a little overgrown towards the end, but not too bad. I only remember one big blowdown. Down the Isabella Creek Trail, it was overgrown in spots with a few big blowdowns, but none that were hard to get over. Easy to follow with multiple creek crossings. Stayed dry by rock hopping. Up Elmer Creek Trail, there was recent trail work done and it was in great condition up until the last water crossing. Maybe a mile before Smith Ridge. For the next quarter mile, I didn't see any sign of a trail and had to do some serious bushwhacking. Once I was through that part, the trail was faint up to the ridge but easy to follow. From here all the way back to the Nub Trail past Larkins Peak and Heart Lake, it's free and clear. The trail up to the Nub was in good shape, and the first mile or so on the way down was clear. However, from there most of the way to the road at the bottom, it was very overgrown with 3 foot high vegetation. I managed to stay on trail the whole time, but it was pretty slow going. Hopefully the Forest Service has plans to clear the Nub Trail this year, but it might not get enough use to be a priority. Overall, this double loop is 45 miles and it took me just over 15 hours to complete.
mrh - Mar 7, 2007 6:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2006
From East Sister
Hiked over from East Sister. It was a nice hike through old growth mountain hemlock broken up by small meadows. The descent down The Nub trail was a bit of an ordeal due to the poor trail, big descent, the fire, bad knees and the sheer exhaustion of finishing up a 24 mile, three summit hike.
napalmer927 - Jul 23, 2019 8:52 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2019
Black Mtn/Hearts Pass/Nub 2019Just wanted to post an update. I went up the Black Mtn Trail on July 20, 2019. Up to the lookout was in very good condition. Black Lake Trail over to the Nub Connector was faint and difficult to follow at times. From here I went over to Isabella Creek, and those 2 miles were a little overgrown towards the end, but not too bad. I only remember one big blowdown. Down the Isabella Creek Trail, it was overgrown in spots with a few big blowdowns, but none that were hard to get over. Easy to follow with multiple creek crossings. Stayed dry by rock hopping. Up Elmer Creek Trail, there was recent trail work done and it was in great condition up until the last water crossing. Maybe a mile before Smith Ridge. For the next quarter mile, I didn't see any sign of a trail and had to do some serious bushwhacking. Once I was through that part, the trail was faint up to the ridge but easy to follow. From here all the way back to the Nub Trail past Larkins Peak and Heart Lake, it's free and clear. The trail up to the Nub was in good shape, and the first mile or so on the way down was clear. However, from there most of the way to the road at the bottom, it was very overgrown with 3 foot high vegetation. I managed to stay on trail the whole time, but it was pretty slow going. Hopefully the Forest Service has plans to clear the Nub Trail this year, but it might not get enough use to be a priority. Overall, this double loop is 45 miles and it took me just over 15 hours to complete.
mrh - Mar 7, 2007 6:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2006
From East SisterHiked over from East Sister. It was a nice hike through old growth mountain hemlock broken up by small meadows. The descent down The Nub trail was a bit of an ordeal due to the poor trail, big descent, the fire, bad knees and the sheer exhaustion of finishing up a 24 mile, three summit hike.