Cabot 9-6-09

[loanshark]

Mt. Cabot is one of the three remaining peaks on our list. So, today was the day. We have been putting this one off for a while, probably because of the long ride. The planned route was a bit up in the air. I wasn't sure how much time to alow for the drive, and I knew we would have the gate hours to contend with. So if we arrived in time we would do the loop. If not then an out and back by Bunnell Notch Trail.We arrived at the trail and got geared up as quickly as we could. It was 8:45. We decided to see how long it would take to summit Cabot and make the call from there. The Bunnell Notch Trail is in great shape no water problems or blowdowns. The footing is good all the way to the summit. We started to get some views just before the outlook for Bunnell Rock. We could clearly see that anyone on the Presis was in for a good day. The trail to the summit is never steep and has some great footing. We made the cabin, the old fire tower and the summit in just over two hours. We took the usual summit photos, had a snack and were off for the Bulge. This portion of the hike was a breeze. The trail leading up to the Bulge is in great shape. It had just been brushed and it was a pleasure to walk on. The spur path to the horn came quickly. There was quite a crowd at the junction and on the summit. The views from the Horn were clear in all directions. Having never visited this portion of the mountains, I was unsure of what we were looking at. We took several photos and moved on as we were concerned over the 4 p.m. gate closing. Next stop was unknown pond. What a great spot. I was almost expecting to see a moose in the water. Just around the corner is the unknown pond trail juntion. 3.3 miles to go. It was about 1:15. Liz set a blistering pace. I was a little concerned she would twist her knee, but all worked out well. The upper portion of this trail is quite beautiful. It passes thru some fern filled birch forests with the ridge in the background. Any way the rest of the trip was uneventful. A few avoidable muddy areas. No blowdowns, and easy stream crossings. We made it back to the truck by 2:30. 11.5 miles in under 6 hrs. Next up is Waumbeck and a finish on Moriah.
Pictures:

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/574529294uyrhgh?start=36

 

[Silverfox]

What a great day for that fine loop hike..

The stretch over to Unknown pond pretty nice indeed..

Glad to see Liz back out there and to hear that you are that much closer to your goal..

 

[TrishandAlex]

Congratulations!! Do you have a tentative finishing date for Moriah?

 

[loanshark]

Cabot

Thanks Mark. I think is was a fine day to be any place in the mountains today. The weather was perfect.

 

[loanshark]

Moriah

Trish, we have a wedding to attend next weekend. So, we plan to see what the weatherman has in store for the following weekend.

 

[1HappyHiker]

Obviously, I can’t guarantee that the condition of the “locked gate” will always be this way. However, here was the situation just a few days ago when coming to the gate from the Bunnell Notch trailhead. It was well after 4PM and the gate was in fact closed, and it appeared to be locked since there was a metal pin inserted into a hasp with a closed padlock on top of the pin. However, if you simply lift up on the padlock, then it and the pin come out of the hasp all in one piece. You can then swing open the gate and let yourself out. And obviously, you’ll want to then get out of your car and reclose and “re-lock” the gate.

 

[loanshark]

locked gate

I wish I knew that. This trail deserved more time than we gave it. But when I told Liz we might have to spend the rest of the Holiday in the honeymoon suite at Cabot Cabin, she turned on the jets.

 

[Trail Walker]

Great to read about the trail and the time to hike it. It is one of our last 2 summits of the 48, so we'll be hitting this one in the next few weeks, then on to Carrigan to finish.

 

[mahony]

I pulled up to the gate at the fish hatchery at 9:30pm on Friday (9/11). The gate was "locked" as described by 1happy above. I was able to open, pass through and close the gate again. The locking pin is set up in such a way that it doesn't look like they could lock the gate even if they wanted to...I suppose they could use a bike lock or something, but a closed gate probably provides all the security they need.

Also as described in threads elsewhere on this site, the houses along the road near the gate were clearly occupied and people were moving about, so getting trapped inside seems unlikely.

PS I had called before I went, but got an answering machine and did not get a call back before I got to the gate.

 

[king tut]

Thanks for posting this. I was thinking of heading to Cabot soon to finish up the last dozen peaks in NH, and was wondering about this mountain.