| 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, November 7, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I arrived just past 10am. The main lot of course was full and there were many cars parked on the side of the road. I opted to park in the (new?) parking lot for Unknown Pond Trail instead and walk the extra hundred feet or so the the trailhead. The lots had emptied some by 2:30pm when I returned. The road in is bumpy at times but I’m very sound shape and not too bad. Just don’t take it too fast. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The only crossing of significance is of the brook that drains Bunnell Notch. I was there a couple weeks ago when water was very high and I barely made it across stepping on rocks submerged a few inches under water with very high-cut boots. Even though water was much lower Saturday, it still may be a bit tricky for some to rock hope as there aren’t many large, well-placed rocks to hop on. There’s a lot you could try and go across on but it didn’t look too stable to me. Many other little stream crossings which are easy but some have some steep banks and can be a bit awkward or require a little leap to get over. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Bunnell Notch and Kilkenny Ridge trails are blazed infrequently in yellow. Both are well travelled though so aren’t hard to follow. Bunnell Notch of course has more leaves down being at a Lowe elevation though so there’s a few spots, mostly around the notch, where the trail isn’t totally clear and it may seem obscure to some. I’m not recalling any blowdowns but my memory may just be failing me 48hrs later. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw some both leashed and unleashed. These trails would be okay for most dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Quick out-and-back to Mount Cabot for my November grid. 2nd hike of the day (Waumbek earlier). 5th time summiting Cabot. 6th 4000 footer this month. 34 more to go to grid out November.
Started out hiking in the high 50s or low 60s...absolutely terrific. I think it was in the high 60s when I returned. Beautiful sunny blue skies too :) Felt the wind more here than I did on Waumbek earlier. Lots of people out including the Protean Wanderer who was a pleasure to meet :) Also great to meet John who dismantled the fire tower many years ago with the youth conservation corps. Met his wife too who worked with one of my colleagues! Recognized the foreign language of a good friend of mine in a group of guys from Tamil-Nadu, India as well and had some great conversation with them. Good luck on your 48 guys!
The trail was a mix of wet and dry. Not much snow/ice remains. I had microspikes with me but didn’t use them and wish I’d left them at home. The snow/ice is likely all gone by now anyway. Lots of mud on the trail and much deeper than what I saw on Waumbek earlier. Some running water down the trail but not at all voluminous. A little wet ledge here and there too but things weren’t very slick overall. All that said, it was neat to see some areas of trail completely dry that were a half foot plus underneath water last time I did this peak a few weeks ago. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-11-09 |
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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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