| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cabot, NH |
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 | Trails: |
York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 9, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
York Pond trailhead has limited parking. I elected to park at the Unknown Pond trailhead which is a short distance from York Pond trail. Fish Hatchery gate is open from 7:30AM to 4:00PM. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Small brooks were easy to cross on rocks or striding over. If temperatures are cold there may be ice on the rocks. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in good condition. One tree across trail requiring a slight duck under between Bunnell Rock and the cabin. The old logging road section of the Bunnell Notch trail could use some additional stepping stones in the muddy section to discourage off trail walking. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any dogs today. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
On ascent I bare booted until Bunnell Rock. I used microspikes above Bunnell Rock. The trail was ice beneath a loose thin snow cover in this section. My somewhat dull microspikes provided barely enough traction to ascend the steeper pitches. My feet slid from time to time. From the cabin to the summit was generally easier footing with just a few icy sections. On the descent I switched to sharp trail crampons which proved to deliver secure footing. In the afternoon the lower section of Bunnell Notch trail was muddy where it had been firmer in the morning chill. Snowshoes are not useful under current conditions.
I met two hikers who mistakenly thought the clearing just above the cabin was the summit. The summit of Mt Cabot has signage. There is a short path that leads off the Kilkenny Ridge trail to a slightly higher spot that is the actual peak.
Unfortunately the clouds limited views today but I was able to see Cannon Mountain from Bunnell Rock. The snow on the evergreen boughs made for a nice wintry scene.
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|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-04-09 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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. |
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