| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cabot, The Bulge, The Horn, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur, Unknown Pond Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 2, 2014 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room at the Unknown Pond trailhead. Nobody else at this lot in the AM and the PM. Five vehicles at the York Pond trailhead of which three were in the parking area and two at the roadside. The Berlin Fish Hatchery visiting hours end at 4:00PM. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Many small brooks to cross on rocks. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The lowest section of the Bunnell Notch trail on the old logging road has a lot of vegetation crowding the pathway. Some trees across on the trail on the Kilkenny Ridge trail north of Mt Cabot summit which will require an ax to remove. I was able saw up some smaller trees on Bunnell Notch and Kilkenny Ridge trails. The Unknown Pond Trail had many stretches with the undergrowth overtopping the trail obscuring the footway. Deteriorated bog bridges on the Kilkenny Ridge trail between the Horn spur and Unknown Pond as well as on the Unknown Pond Trail. The Mt Cabot summit elevation sign has either been removed or confiscated. There is a nice new Kilkenny Ridge trail sign at the summit and a small piece of wood screwed in to a tree with a faint Cabot on it at the true summit on the short side path. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs |
|
 | Bugs: |
Flies and mosquitos at the lower elevations and gnat like insects on top of The Horn. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Lots of wetness on the Bunnell Notch and Unknown Pond trails. Some wet areas on the Kilkenny Ridge trail near Unknown Pond. The best section of trail was the old Cabot trail section of the Kilkenny Ridge trail. The cabin was in decent condition. There was a tent pitched not too far from the outhouse. I saw a couple of campers at Unknown Pond. Met another hiker who had come from Rogers Ledge. He reported very muddy conditions as well as a bad wet area where he had to wade to a bridge. Views from The Horn were restricted to the surrounding mountains as the clouds prevented long distance observations. Saw Spotted Touch-me-nots in the wetland and Yellow Pond Lilies in Unknown Pond. Overall the loop hike passes some very nice spots but could benefit from some trail maintenance. Probably best hiked during a nice dry autumn day. |
|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
|
 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2014-08-02 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
|
