BIGEarl
Well-known member
November 26, 2011: Cabot
Trails: York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail
Summits: Cabot
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
After reviewing the forecasts for the day we decided to abandon our Plan A hike and go for an alternate sheltered hike on our November list. Cabot is one of the peaks easily ignored due to its location, but it’s on the list and that’s where we decided to hike.
The reports all seemed to suggest snowshoes would be very helpful and we brought them along for the hike. In the end they were nothing more than excess weight. We also had MicroSpikes in our packs. Even though we saw evidence of snowshoe and MicroSpike use, we managed to bare-boot the full hike.
We hiked from the trailhead lot on York Pond Road, at the Berlin Fish Hatchery. There were a few vehicles parked along the side of York Pond Road but the trailhead lot was unplowed with one set of tracks and empty. The snow in the lot wasn’t a problem at all and that’s where we left the truck.
The trail is very wet and muddy for the full distance. There are sections of solid trail but there are many sections of mud and slush. Waterproof boots are very helpful in these conditions. The early stream crossings were all very easy to complete with “dry” boots.
One of our weather concerns was a predicted westerly wind of over 25 mph at 4000 feet (and over 45 mph at 5000 feet). Our hike to the height of land on Bunnell Notch Trail was all generally sheltered from the wind but once we reached the junction with Kilkenny Ridge Trail the wind was coming through the area. There is plenty of shelter from the wind but it was still enough to cause a chill on an extended break.
We continued around to the junction with the abandoned Mt. Cabot Trail and continued to the summit. On the way we made a short stop at Bunnell Rock to enjoy the views on a gray day. The predicted partly sunny conditions never arrived at Mt. Cabot. Soon we were again on our way to the summit. Along the way we met eight others doing the same hike. The Cabot Cabin was deserted on our pass through. If there were to be any overnight guests they had not yet arrived. Soon after passing the Cabot Cabin we were at the summit tree. Sue noticed we were surrounded by ideal snowman snow and went to work. This time around Sue out-did herself. The final snowman was at least as bug as Sue and maybe a little larger. He was a happy old boy left to stand guard over the place.
The hike out was a quick and wet cruise to the trailhead. The place is loaded with slippery rocks and roots. Both of us went down more than once on our way back out. Fortunately, we always landed on snow, not mud.
A short distance from the junction with York Pond Trail we met two others headed in. At that point we were all moving with headlights. I assume these hikers were on their way to the Cabot Cabin for the night.
We reached the trailhead generally on plan, quickly packed, and hit the road south. We were interested in making the long drive as short as possible because our plans included another hike the next day (The Hancocks). We should have stayed in the mountains and saved eight hours of driving (and a lot of fuel). Next time.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
Trails: York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail
Summits: Cabot
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
After reviewing the forecasts for the day we decided to abandon our Plan A hike and go for an alternate sheltered hike on our November list. Cabot is one of the peaks easily ignored due to its location, but it’s on the list and that’s where we decided to hike.
The reports all seemed to suggest snowshoes would be very helpful and we brought them along for the hike. In the end they were nothing more than excess weight. We also had MicroSpikes in our packs. Even though we saw evidence of snowshoe and MicroSpike use, we managed to bare-boot the full hike.
We hiked from the trailhead lot on York Pond Road, at the Berlin Fish Hatchery. There were a few vehicles parked along the side of York Pond Road but the trailhead lot was unplowed with one set of tracks and empty. The snow in the lot wasn’t a problem at all and that’s where we left the truck.
The trail is very wet and muddy for the full distance. There are sections of solid trail but there are many sections of mud and slush. Waterproof boots are very helpful in these conditions. The early stream crossings were all very easy to complete with “dry” boots.
One of our weather concerns was a predicted westerly wind of over 25 mph at 4000 feet (and over 45 mph at 5000 feet). Our hike to the height of land on Bunnell Notch Trail was all generally sheltered from the wind but once we reached the junction with Kilkenny Ridge Trail the wind was coming through the area. There is plenty of shelter from the wind but it was still enough to cause a chill on an extended break.
We continued around to the junction with the abandoned Mt. Cabot Trail and continued to the summit. On the way we made a short stop at Bunnell Rock to enjoy the views on a gray day. The predicted partly sunny conditions never arrived at Mt. Cabot. Soon we were again on our way to the summit. Along the way we met eight others doing the same hike. The Cabot Cabin was deserted on our pass through. If there were to be any overnight guests they had not yet arrived. Soon after passing the Cabot Cabin we were at the summit tree. Sue noticed we were surrounded by ideal snowman snow and went to work. This time around Sue out-did herself. The final snowman was at least as bug as Sue and maybe a little larger. He was a happy old boy left to stand guard over the place.
The hike out was a quick and wet cruise to the trailhead. The place is loaded with slippery rocks and roots. Both of us went down more than once on our way back out. Fortunately, we always landed on snow, not mud.
A short distance from the junction with York Pond Trail we met two others headed in. At that point we were all moving with headlights. I assume these hikers were on their way to the Cabot Cabin for the night.
We reached the trailhead generally on plan, quickly packed, and hit the road south. We were interested in making the long drive as short as possible because our plans included another hike the next day (The Hancocks). We should have stayed in the mountains and saved eight hours of driving (and a lot of fuel). Next time.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
