| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cabot, The Bulge, The Horn, NH |
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 | Trails: |
York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenney Ridge Trail, Horn Spur, Unknown Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 16, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Room for 4 at Bunnell Notch but more room on the side of the road, and much more room at Unknown Pond's parking. See comments re Unknown Pond from the north. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Significant, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
rock hops |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Bunnell Notch had stretches of encroaching vegetation, mud spots and running water in the trail. Unknown Pond had more of each; the upper section in the ice storm destroyed white birch glade is choked by fern and other plants; it is difficult at times to see how to place the feet or use the poles. The Mt. Cabot Trail now has a sign at its jct. with Kilkenney saying it is not maintained and maybe Unknown Pond should have a similar one. Having said this both trails are still fast and easy hikes although better in winter. The Kilkenney Ridge has several large fir blowdowns on it, the worst is between the cabin and peak, and it is creating a new path around it. If not removed this winter could be interesting. Having said this we loved this trail and the spur to Horn, with a nice footbed, open trail and easy slopes. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The mighty tough little dog had it pretty easy today. Plenty of water along, crossing or in Bunnell Notch and Unknown Pond. Except for a small seep near Unknown Pond the Kilkenney Ridge was dry. I went down about 50 paces to the signed spring near Cabot but didn't find water; maybe it's farther down. Lots of shade plus temps in the 60s on the ridge and decent humidity was great for him. Some dogs may have trouble getting up on The Horn peak but he shot right up it making me look clumsy. |
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 | Bugs: |
Deerflies buzzed us down low quite a bit but they were nothing like the aggressive ones we have at home in the woods. There was maybe a skeeter or two during a break at the pond, but none on the peaks. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This hike was Plan B2. After the first plan was switched to another date, I decided to hike these peaks from the Mill Brook Rd. trailhead. Somehow I stumbled on to the USFS current conditions page (not the road status page) to find this: "Mill Brook Road (Stark Road #11) bridge that crosses Mill Brook on the Kennebec West lot in Stark, NH is seriously degraded and is not safe to travel..." They noted there were no signs saying this.
Thus we were forced to do the awful long drive through Berlin to the York Pond Rd. trailheads and the wet muddy access trails. But we had the trails and peaks pretty much all to ourselves, the weather was splendid, the birds were singing their hearts out, a spruce grouse did a wonderful broken wing dance in front of us before Pepper could stand it no more, Kilkenney Ridge up high was a delightful walk, and the views from The Horn a nice ending to the peaks section.
We saw a group of four people as we approached Unknown Pond (one recognized Pepper without his winter sweater) and that was it. Everybody must have been on the 5Ks and we got a prize. We are two happy hikers. |
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 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
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 | E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-07-16 |
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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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