| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
The Horn, The Bulge, Mt. Cabot, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Unknown Pond Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur, Bunnell Notch Trail, York Pond Trail, roadwalk |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 3, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking for several cars at Unknown Pond trailhead, three others when we arrived, none on return. Lot is icy under the new snow. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Most crossings of note have a generally solid snow/ice bridge, excepting one of them on Unknown Pond Trail, which was accomplished on snow covered log. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some stepovers and a duckunder on Unknown Pond, and several duckunder and stepover blowdowns on Kilkenny Ridge up to Cabot, from Cabot on was clear. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Ever see zero people on a 4k peak, on a Saturday? Just go the right way (and start late), and suffer a bit for it. While there were vehicles in the lot at Unknown Pond, the trail itself was unbroken since the last snow. Breaking was easy up to the pond, our track generally following the trail, though we got off it at times. Kilkenny Ridge was a struggle for the two of us, through generally 4-6' of new snow with calf to knee deep drifts in spots. Trail finding was NOT easy, as blazing is generally lacking, and the corridor isn't easy to pick out. In places, the old track was visible, though for the most part, it was drifted over. If you follow our track, it's not on the trail the whole way, especially from the col with the Bulge and Cabot, but it will get you there. The scramble up to the Horn summit rock was dicey, but doable if you can wedge a boot or snowshoe in there. Great to be on a packed trail from Cabot on out! Caught a brilliant sunset from Cabot Cabin, then hoofed it on down by headlamp and starlight. Good day indeed! |
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 | Name: |
Bill Robichaud |
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 | E-Mail: |
bill.robichaud@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-02-03 |
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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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