| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
The Horn, The Bulge, Mt. Cabot, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Unknown Pond Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, The Horn Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, August 6, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking for 3-4 vehicles to the right of the road after the second bridge crossing. Additional parking further down the road.
Mill Brook Road (forest road 11) is in good condition. There is a road sign for Mill Brook Road on route 110 and a hiker sign |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Unknown Pond northern section is in good condition with one tree fall easily stepped over.
Kilkenny Ridge Trail has the usual tree falls that are easily stepped over, ducked under, or walk around. There is a short steep section of Kilkenny Ridge Trail on the northern slope of Mt Cabot with water running down the loose rocks and dirt resulting in an eroded section.
Horn Spur is fine. The herd path to the left of the old trail avoids the lower ledge/rocks near the summit of the Horn and has become the dominant route |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
None except for the dragon flies and flies by Unknown Pond |
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 | Lost and Found: |
I carried down a large white nylon with mess netting from aside the Unknown Pond Trail in the birch glades down to the information sign at the trailhead. It was an eyesore in a nice wood setting. |
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 | Comments: |
The Unknown Pond Trail - northern section from Mill Brook Road to Unknown Pond is a great walk in northern hardwood forest including a birch glade. A little mud down low and again as one nears the junction with the Kilkenny Ridge Trail (rocks in mud facilitate passage). I stopped at both side trails down to Unknown Pond. One is at the Unknown Pond Trail and Kilkenny Ridge Trail as the latter heads north. The other is just off the Kilkenny Ridge Trail soon after it heads south from the Unknown Pond Trail. Watch out for the revegetation areas. The side trip to The Horn is worth the effort. The easiest access to the summit ledge is around the left and up from the back of the ledge. Another option is to climb up the crack on the east side of the ledge. No views at the summit of Mt Cabot. Short side trail from the sign leads to the actual summit (small cairn)
Saw wood sorrel, goldenrod, and asters. Red bunchberries, Bluebead Lilies, Trillium red pods, and Hobblebush berries. Lots of colorful mushrooms. Mill Brook is attractive at the start of the hike. The Stark - Kilkenny town line is marked by a prominent blue post. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-08-06 |
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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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