NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks The Horn, The Bulge, Mt. Cabot, NH
Trails
Trails: Unknown Pond Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, The Horn Spur
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, May 9, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Wasn't sure if Mill Brook Road out of Stark would be open or not, but I lucked out. It is 4.5 miles up this road to the trailhead. A mile in, there was a logging truck being loaded which was blocking the road. Trucker apologized and said it would be a 30-min wait. I said "that's fine, I'm just going hiking." :) Gave me time to get trailrunners and gaiters on and otherwise get ready. At the trailhead there is room for maybe two cars, more parking a bit further up the road. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: N/A 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Tossed quite a few branches off trail and unclogged a couple waterbars. Not many paint blazes in these parts.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: None. Too cold. It was actually snowing-flurrying for a couple hours, and the wind was quite brisk! 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: I like this route to Cabot. It sees far fewer hikers and I think is less of a mudfest than the fish hatchery approaches. Mill Brook is pretty, and the trail passes through a beautiful birch forest. Nice views west to the northern Pilot Range as well.

Trail was dry to start w/maybe 3-4 very short mud pits. Approaching Unknown Pond (gorgeous!) there was a dusting of fresh snow, increasing to an inch in the 3800-4170' elevation range. Put spikes on just beyond The Horn Spur. The new snow helped w/traction, but spikes were still useful, especially descending. Final scramble up Horn is always tricky; I went around to the backside today.

Beautiful quiet day. Didn't see a soul.  
Name
Name: Snowflea 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-05-09 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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