Mt. Cabot, The Bulge, The Horn, Unknown Pond Peak - York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur, bushwhack, Unknown Pond Trail - 1-4-2026

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Mt. Cabot, The Bulge, The Horn, Unknown Pond Peak, NH

	Trails:	York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur, bushwhack, Unknown Pond Trail

	Date of Hike:	Sunday, January 4, 2026

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	Road is not sanded, it’s plowed but still loose making it slippery even with good snow tires. Just go slow on the turns.

	Surface Conditions:	Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts

	Recommended Equipment:	Snowshoes, Light Traction

	Water Crossing Notes:

	Trail Maintenance Notes:

	Dog-Related Notes:

	Bugs:	No

	Lost and Found:	No


	Comments:	A cold day for this loop today, but good snowshoe conditions both on and off trail. I put the snowshoes on about a mile in for traction on the well tracked Bunnell Notch trail. Saw a few folks around the cabin and summit. The drifts at the summit had covered the tracks going north, so I zigzagged trying to find them with no sign of the trail. When I did pick up the tracks again, they were way off each time I checked my gps. I chose to follow them anyways since I couldn’t tell the difference when I was on the trail. I was glad to meet 2 others near the Bulge, where the track improved. I bushwhacked north off the Horn to save mileage, but it was pretty steep and deep. I was tired when I reached the pond, but still decided to break trail uphill to U.P.P. for NH100W, and signed in. The woods and snowpack were great, so I continued on to the SE peak, which is recognized and has views. Trying to get back to the trail from here was a challenge, thick steep woods prevented me from going south, so I stayed in the open glades, but had to go way around to the east when I was trying to cut southwest back to the trail. I eventually got there, just had to keep checking the bearing and cutting across the slope instead of going downhill and away from the trail. It was about 6.5 hours for the trip, which isn’t bad considering all the bushwhacking.

	Name:	Carl G

	E-Mail:

	Date Submitted:	2026-01-04

	Link:	https://
		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.