| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cabot, The Bulge, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Unknown Pond Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
|
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock hopping, wading |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Kilkenny Ridge from Mt. Cabot to Unknown Pond and from Unknown Pond to the York Pond trailhead were mostly un-blazed |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
Minimal |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Ascent from York Pond trailhead was lovely. Challenging initial water crossing about 20 mins in but doable. No significant mud/water until intersection with Killkenny Ridge where water was ankle deep so slow going to get around. Started to see snow/ice around 2900 feet and then some unstable monorail most of the way up Killkenny Ridge after Bunnell Notch intersection, especially above Bunnell Rock, but I did not really need spikes to the summit (a few sketchy areas but enough exposed rock to be able to get solid footing). Parking area to summit in 3 hours without much drama.
Descent from Mt. Cabot summit down Killkenny Ridge to Unknown Pond (via The Bulge and The Horn) a VERY different story. Lost the trail repeatedly, postholed all the way up my leg multiple times for about 1.5 miles [BRING SNOWSHOES]; yellow blazes were few, faded, and far between. Pine needles, dirt, debris, and downed trees made it very difficult to determine where the trail was and it was obviously very infrequently used because I could not reliably follow previous tracks. Had to rely on offline, downloaded AllTrails map to get myself back on track before phone battery died. Unknown Pond had less snow cover but also not really maintained or blazed. I would think twice about this route again before snow is gone and trail has cleared…or make sure you have AllTrails and a backup battery! |
|
 | Name: |
Matt S. |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-05-08 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
