| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cabot, The Bulge, The Horn, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mill Brook Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur, Bunnell Notch Trail, York Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, September 19, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked just outside of the Berlin Fish Hatchery Gate on York Pond Road. There is a small pull out here that could fit several cars. York Pond Road is paved. It turns to an excellent dirt road past the large ponds en route to the Unknown Pond and York Pond trailheads. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All streams are small and rock hopable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Thank you, maintainers for dealing with those massive blowdowns! What a much nicer Traverse if that area! If you get the time... maybe some more blazing, especially to help with winter hikes? 🙂 |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None today. No obstacles that would pose an issue. The Ridge is dry, though. Bring plenty of water. |
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 | Bugs: |
Some flies at lower elevations when it warmed up. Otherwise no pesky pests! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Uh, well there are a pair of black Jockey boxers left on a tree on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail just after the junction with the Horn spur heading towards Mt. Cabot. I left them there. |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
Mill Brook Trl —> Kilkenny Ridge Trail (KRT) —> Bunnell Trail —> York Pond Trail
Lovely day to be out in the woods. Mill Brook is less used than Bunnell. Understory encroaches on a lot of the trail but the trail is still easy to follow. No blazes on this trail. I saw no other soul on this trail, exactly the same as the last time I took this trail 2 years ago. Too bad. It’s an easy trail that gets you close to Rodger’s Ledge.
KRT from the junction with Mill Brook headed towards Unknown Pond is also less used. Understory also encroaches this trail grabbing your poles and getting your legs and feet wet. There are 7 faded yellow blazes on this trail so don’t count on blazes helping you find the way in more challenging hiking seasons. The trail is easily discernible in the brush this time of year. And again, like 2 years ago, I was the only person on this trail. BUT... those enormous blow downs that were blocking the trail have been taken care of! Thank you!
KRT from Unknown Pond to the summit of Cabot is clearly much more travelled as evidenced by a wider path and more defined footway. Very few blazes. Rough footpath with roots and rocks at odd angles. I see why the Kilkenny 50 mile race is so tough!
KRT from Cabot summit (wood sign at summit, short worn foot path to carin summit marker) to Bunnell is rough but straight forward. This is a much travelled trail. Other than three nice yellow blazes near the summit, there are no other blazes until you reach junctions. There is a nice signed view off the trail to the left below a bit down (? maybe 0.5 miles?) from the Cabot cabin.
Bunnell trail is well travelled, not blazed, and rough on the feet. But the foot path is clearly defined and simple to follow. Nice walk next to the Brook for over 0.5 miles! Although it is never steep, it looks like the ascent would take some serious sweat power. You are going up for much of this trail.
York Pond leads you 0.2 miles out of the woods on a soft overgrown foot way though a field and old logging road. I then road walked 2 miles back to my car.
The gate was open at 4:30pm. |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-09-19 |
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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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