| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
The Bulge, Mt. Cabot, The Horn, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Unknown Pond Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur, herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 13, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Small pull out off Mill Brook Road just after the bridge near the trailhead can accommodate two to three vehicles depending on size. There is additional parking further down the road. There is a sign on route 110 for Mill Brook Road. The road was nicely graded. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Only a small brook crossing on the Unknown Pond trail that can be stepped over |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail is generally in good shape. There is an eroded stretch on the steep slope on the side of Mt Cabot on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. Could use rock stairs to control the erosion and improve footing. The problem is not new.
There are some tree falls on the Kilkenny Ridge trail. Some could be removed with a small saw but others will require an ax. Passage through or around these blow downs is not difficult. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw three dogs on the trail. The route should be good for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Mosquitoes around Unknown Pond. In the early evening descent on the Unknown Pond trail there were mosquitoes and deer flies. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Most of the paths were dry. The only wet areas were near the beginning of Unknown Pond Trail, trail sections near Unknown Pond, and the eroded area had a trickle of water running down the trail. Some trimming of hobblebush on the Unknown Pond trail and evergreen boughs on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail and the Horn Spur is required at some time. The pathway is clear enough at this time to easily follow the trails.
I decided to use the Unknown Pond Trail from Mill Brook Road to avoid the fern/grass sections in the clear cut areas on the Unknown Pond Trail on the fish hatchery side of the mountain.
Great views from Unknown Pond across to The Horn from an access path off Unknown Pond Trail near the camping area. Expansive views from The Horn which includes the Presidential Range, the Mahoosuc Range, and Percy Peaks. There are two ways to ascend the rock at the top of The Horn. Either pass to the left of the rock and ascend from the rear or go to the right of the rock and ascend up a crack between the ledge rocks.
Many hikers on the trail today. The majority were hiking the loop from the York Pond side.
There is now a well worn path from the Mt Cabot sign to the actual summit marked by a small rock pile near a tree. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-07-14 |
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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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