| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt Cabot, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
York Pond Traiil : Bunnell Notch Trail : Kilkenny Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
York Pond Road is in good condition. Small lot at the York Pond trailhead (4 to 5 vehicles). Overflow parking alongside York Pond Road. Additional parking just down the road at the Unknown Pond trailhead.
Signage indicates the gate is closed at 4:00PM. Not sure if this is strictly followed. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All water crossings on the Bunnell Notch Trail were easy. The largest crossing is the brook that drains Bunnell Notch that may difficult in high water. Not high today. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One sizeable evergreen down across the Bunnell Notch Trail near the height of land (~3,100 ft elev). The limbs have been cut to ease the straddle over this tree.
The sign for York Pond Trail & Bunnell Notch Trail isn't at the current junction of these two trails. It is offset down the Bunnell Notch Trail from the junction. Broken bog bridge down low on the Bunnell Notch Trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw two dogs on the trail. Plenty of water. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
There are muddy spots and one stretch of running water on the Bunnell Notch Trail. Mud on the Kilkenny Trail between the cabin and the summit. None of the mud spots were quagmires. Almost all surfaces were wet from the recent rainfall. The forest succession is reclaiming the old forest road section of the Bunnell Notch Trail, so it looks more like a trail rather than a road walk. The cabin is in good condition. There is a compost toilet nearby. The summit of Mt Cabot is close to the large Kilkenny Ridge trail sign on a tree. A short side path goes to the true summit (no cairn, no sign, no USGS plate). The old Mt Cabot Trail to Lancaster is still visible off the Kilkenny Ridge Trail (logs have been placed to keep hikers off the decommissioned trail).
Clouds prevented any views from the clearing above the cabin and at Bunnell Rock. The Fall foliage is vivid down low and along York Pond Road.
Lots more hikers than I expected. Many were from upstate NY. I met hikers from CO & ID who worked with another hiker from Ireland whom I had seen each of the past three years. Two trail runners were going the entire loop to Unknown Pond. |
|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek1@charter.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-09-30 |
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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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