Cabot Cabin and Unknown Pond

[TDawg]

Just kind of looking for general information on either. Looking to bring a group up there in the near future. Ideally a loop utilizing these two sites. But an up and back via Unknown Pond would suffice.

Most interested in the water situation at the Cabot Cabin. WMG says that the closest reliable source is Bunnell Brook 1.3 miles down the Kilkenny Ridge Tr. Has anyone ever stayed there and found a closer, more convenient source of water? What about availability on a weekend? I can't imagine it is extremely popular but who knows...Tent sites nearby??

Also, approx. how many sites are at the Unknown Pond tentsite? Platforms or hardened earth?

Any other thoughts you might care to share?

Thanks in advance!

 

[albee]

Just a random thought - bushwhacking up to Unknown Pond Peak (NHHH) is rediculously easy - open woods and moose herd paths galore. 15 minutes up from the campsite, tops. See if you can find both the cannisters, but be sure to take a compass bearing on your trip back down.

 

[nartreb]

There's a spring on a spur trail that heads east from a point between Cabot Cabin and the summit. It's about ten minutes to descend the spur to the spring, and of course only a handful of minutes to reach the spur from Cabot Cabin.

I've written a description of Cabot elsewhere:

http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/154513/mount-cabot.html

 

[trailbiscuit]

Nice spots for the good ol' tent in Bunnell Notch. We used it as campsite when we traversed the ridge from north to south (2 days/1 night).

 

[vegematic]

Unknown Pond

It's beautiful. There are about 6 tentsites, hardened earth, no platforms. Most of them are single sites but the first is a large double site. I brought a school group up there and was able to sleep all ten kids in the double site by running a ridge line across it and throwing a couple tarps over it. That said, the upper two sites are my favourites: very private and beautiful. There is a privy and a communal firepit. Individual fires at tentsites are discouraged (or not allowed at all, can't remember exactly).

The camping area is up from the pond and does not utilise any of the hardened sites along the shore. In fact, many of those sites have been brushed in for reveg although some have been left open for pond access. Water source is the pond, or you can hike a short distance back down the trail (toward the fish hatchery) and pull water from the outlet brook.

As someone else said, Unknown Pond Peak is an easy and pretty bushwhack through open birch & fern forest. Cabot makes a nice dayhike from the campground with a stop at the Horn on the way back. I did both with my group and they seemed to enjoy it.

-vegematic

 

[MichaelJ]

Unknown Pond shore-side sites are small and not really appropriate for a group (IMO). Some larger sites are headed up the slope to the (north? is that unknown pond peak?) and even have a view or two, and I believe I remember a large site suitable for a group just nw of the junction of the east end of the Unknown Pond Trail with the north end of the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. All are hardened earth.

That was 4 or 5 years ago so your results may vary, no warranty is expressed or implied.

EDIT: go with Vegematic's info; the thing I remember as a group site is probably now the communal firepit.

 

[RoySwkr]

Most interested in the water situation at the Cabot Cabin. WMG says that the closest reliable source is Bunnell Brook 1.3 miles down the Kilkenny Ridge Tr.

I don't have the new WMG, but one of the older editions not only describes the spring but names it after 2 former fire lookouts.

 

[peakbagger]

The water source is usually relaible but not very high flow. The spur trail was not marked very well if at all a few years ago. Its more of a herd path than a trail and is not something that is easy to find in the dark. Its a bit of a drop down off the ridge so bring a water bag to cut down on trip.

 

[GNR]

The spring now has a sign

3 weeks ago or so, the spur trial had a sign and was obvious. Couldn't hear the flow from the main drag though.

 

[TDawg]

Thanks for your replies everyone.

Good to hear that there is closer water at the cabin than 1.3 away! Not sure when I'll get up there but it sure is on the to do list. Hopefully soon.