| 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 |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 5, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There was a sign near the fish hatchery saying that the road gate is only open 730am-4pm. I hadn’t read this anywhere before, I also had not looked closely at the sign (it could’ve just been a seasonal thing, or maybe for one of the side roads into the fish hatchery). If you don’t think you can finish by 4 then I’d suggest looking into this more to see if it’s true. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Several water crossings on Unknown Pond Trail and on Bunnell Notch Trail, all were easy to cross by rock hopping or the water was actually low enough that I walked right through without any water spilling into my boots. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There were many tree blow downs on Kilkenny Ridge Trail, but all were easy to go under or over. I only noticed 2 blazes all day. Though even with these issues, the trail was very easy to follow. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
I had an early start and saw no bugs for the first half of the hike, but second half as it got pretty warm out there were a lot of bugs, though they weren’t biting or swarming, they were just there. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I saw a lot of posts recommending that people do this loop counter clockwise, so I did. If I were to do it again I’d go clockwise. I don’t think either way is really easier or harder than the other. There is one decent view spot on the way up to the Cabot. Cabot and The Bulge are completely wooded. The Horn has great views, but the last 100 or 200 feet to the top of The Horn were really difficult. I love scrambles and slides, but at the very top of The Horn I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to get to the top on my own (I did get there, but the last 10 feet took me a few minutes).
The trail had lots of dry spots, lots of mud (though nothing you’d sink deep in), and several areas where the trail was a stream bed. Not too strenuous of a hike.
Overall a great loop. I had never heard much about Cabot, and I knew it was a wooded summit, so I had very low expectations. It was much better than I anticipated. |
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 | Name: |
JR |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-06-05 |
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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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