| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cabot, The Bulge, The Horn, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur, Unknown Pond Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, May 15, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked in the large lot for Unknown Pond. Only car there. Three cars at York Pond trailhead. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The first two crossings on Unknown Pond are not rock hoppable. You can take a leap of faith, especially if you’re tall. There is a herd path that avoids most of them, but it’s in a wet area. Plan to have wet feet. These are in the last half mile or so if exit on Unknown Pond, so just accept the wet feet…you’re almost to the car. Crossings on Bunnell Notch were all easily hopped. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
York Pond and Bunnell Notch were fine. A few trees down on Kilkenny Ridge starting around the Bulge. One is a duck under that is a large tree (axe worthy) that fell onto a few smaller trees. Nothing major on Unknown Pond…a few step overs. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None |
|
 | Bugs: |
It was quite windy, so nothing bothersome on the hike, but the black flies were swarming us at the car in the afternoon. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
The trails up to the summit (York Pond, Bunnell Notch, Kilkenny Ridge) are in great shape. We threw on rock spikes right before the Cabin and kept them on until shortly after the Horn Spur. Over to the summit was a firm, if narrow, monorail. Summit area is clear of snow. Heading towards the Bulge there was quite a lot of deep snow, mostly supportive. One person appears to have come the opposite direction today or yesterday and there were some prints going the same direction as us. We used both sets of steps/postholes which was helpful. Once down into the col between Cabot and the Bulge, snow was significantly shallower and the going was much faster. Spikes off on the spur to the Horn, then on again for a short distance after rejoining Kilkenny Ridge. Unknown Pond Trail was in great shape. A few sections of heavy mud, but actually drier than I expected.
Nice to run into Chrissy and Vicky. Good luck on your single season Spring, Chrissy! |
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 | Name: |
WanderingSoules |
|
 | E-Mail: |
soules@writeme.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-05-15 |
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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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