Black Mountain Maine was not officially open so the manager allowed me to walk up.  One third of the way up I met a snow gun guy on a snowmobile and he offered a ride up the last two thirds.  It was difficult to hold my skis and poles while balancing on the back of this "sled" - it got a bit more difficult as we drove right through the plume of blasting snow from the snow guns.  We made it up the short way to to top where we got the photo below. - The trip down was on ungroomed snow - an inch thick crust of frozen snow on top of power led to a slow and careful decent.

 

Later I visited the small lodge, which was under renovation and spoke with volunteer workers trying to get the lodge up to snuff.  What a feeling of community and what a truly New England trait – people banding together  to help a local cause – cheers to all you volunteers.  I also met Mike the Mountain dog - a friendly pooch who was missing his master at the top of the mountain.  They said opening day was in one week and darn it I know they will make it.