| 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: |
Saturday, March 31, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the Unknown Pond trailhead just off York Pond Road. Gate was still open at 5:30PM even though signage indicated the road would be closed at 4:00PM. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings were easily crossed on rocks. Water levels were not high. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some large trees across trail on Kilkenny Ridge between the cabin and the summit as well as north of Mt Cabot. None caused much of a problem. Some small trees/branches on the Unknown Pond Trail. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
One dog on trail. All trails would be good for a dog expect the ledges at the top of The Horn. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Saw a few swarms of flying insects (mosquitoes ?)on the Unknown Pond Trail. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Bunnell Notch trail had a light snow cover at the outset to about two inches of powder over ice at the crest of the notch. There was some muddy areas that were not deep in the morning. The Kilkenny Ridge trail to the summit of Mt Cabot was mainly snow with an embedded monorail. No need for snowshoes to Mt Cabot.
I used snowshoes on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail from Mt Cabot to Unknown Pond. The trail was initially difficult to find just downhill from Mt Cabot. The yellow blazes were scarce in some places. Thereafter most of the Kilkenny Trail was easy to follow either by the yellow blazes or clearly defined corridors between the trees. The spur trail trail to The Horn was easy to discern however the upper ledges were a scramble with the snowshoes. There were some postholes especially from The Horn down to Unknown Pond but they presented no difficulties. The snow surfaces were solid enough so snowshoes ensured no post holing.
The Unknown Pond Trail had long stretches of snowless trail. There were both dry surfaces and muddy sections.
There were nice views from the dry Bunnell Ledge and great views from The Horn of the snowy Presidentials especially King and Castle Ravines. Unknown Pond is still frozen over. |
|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-03-31 |
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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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