| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Terrace Mountain, Mt. Cabot, The Bulge, The Horn, NH |
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 | Trails: |
York Pond Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur, Unknown Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, October 28, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Unknown Pond trailhead lot. This large, dirt surfaced lot is off of York Pond Rd. This road starts as gravel then turns to a good dirt road, any vehicle would be fine. The gate was open when I arrived at 6:45am though it is signed as being open from 8am to 4:30pm. I was the only vehicle when I arrived. One other when I returned. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water crossings on York Pond Trail were accomplished with exposed rocks, though it took some route finding to get the best crossing. Unknown Pond has a water crossing near the trailhead that forced me off trail for a short bit to get around the elevated water levels. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
New blow downs near the junction of York Pond and Bunnell Notch trails. There are only two, but they are directly on the trail. Erosion of one small segment just past the Cabot summit (heading towards the Bulge). |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
My dog did fine. The Kilkenny Ridge tends to be dry. We “cameled up” at Willard Notch which held us until Unknown Pond. Some small pieces ice on rocks today in upper elevations that the dog did fine with. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
York Pond Trail > Kilkenny Ridge Trail > Horn Spur > Kilkenny Ridge > Unknown Pond Trail.
York Pond: lightly used, blazed in yellow with less frequency as one nears the junction with the Kilkenny Ridge. Footbed obscured by leaves. Lots of mud in lower elevations, this is covered by the leaves. I had only done this trail one other time but was able to follow it without issue for most of the trail. Water crossings elevated, but feet can be kept dry by looking for a nearby better route. Willard Notch footpath completely obscured by leaves. Not able to see it at all. The water point for the tentsite is the brook 0.17 from the site. The brook was very low but a scoop will let you get the water you need.
Kilkenny Ridge: blazed in yellow with varying leaf levels, the trail was simple to follow. Much updated blazing helps to keep the hiker on trail. Some mud, though most of it is starting to freeze creating a more firm surface. There is a brand new sign for a water point above the Cabot cabin. I did not visit the water point so I don’t know if it’s flowing. Small, short pieces of ice on some rocks. Totally avoidable. See water notes above regarding the newly signed water point above Cabot cabin.
Horn Spur: signed, not blazed. Geographical marker on summit. Multiple herd paths near summit. Good view and worth the 0.3 miles to the summit.
Unknown Pond: not blazed. Much more used trail. Leaves pounded down making trail easy to follow. Much, much water on this trail. Lots of vats of mud hidden by leaf litter (ask me how I know this. My shoes are never going to dry…). One bull moose met next to the trail. Though he didn’t charge me, he didn’t run either. So I ran instead. That sucker was HUGE. |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-10-28 |
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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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