Cabot Mt in the fog & rain

[Darl58]

We hiked Cabot Mt on 1/6/07. It was raining as we headed out from Lincoln to Berlin, but we did see traces of sun around Jefferson as we drove over.
It was pretty overcast, but my friend Steph needed Cabot in winter.

Upon arriving at the trailhead, we had noted the signs for gates close at 4:00, and knew we wouldn't be out in time. We stopped at the Ranger's house to see if gate would be closing or open??? No answer.
I decided not to gamble and park out by the gate....2.5 miles of road warm-up to the trail head. (wish we had known it would be open for sure)

We both remarked how we had never experienced so many different terrains on one hike as we did this day. We started out in rain on bare ground, then wet, mud, slimy mud, ice, snow, icy rock, high waters, grass, moss, etc...
The footing kept changing all day, it didn't graduate as you would expect. The temperature was perfect, just damp but hit some really "warm" spots at times, even along the water.

We met a group coming down that had hiked in snow most of the way, but within just hours we had combination footings. We opted to bareboot it all the way, it was just easier than trying to keep changing. It went from bare ground to ice so quickly, then snow and bare ground again...

At the cabin we stopped for a quick drink & snack and quickly moved on as we knew it would be dark for most of our hike out. The wind gusts were getting stronger as we hiked to the peak. Topped out at the sign, took pics and moved on. Hiking out in darkening skies, and icy footing, and a few mucky mud areas and water. The skies did open for a beautifull sunset part-way down.

A very interesting day of hiking, we felt we earned this summit. It was another interesting day in the mountains. Where is our snow???

Thankfully we returned to my friends house where dinner was all prepared and awaiting our arrival. A special way to end a long day of hiking!!

Pics of the day!!!

http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=momdar&P=&AID=4230099&Pres=Y

 

[BIGEarl]

Nice T/R and great pictures.

After looking at your pictures, I feel the summit sign must have been moved. Last winter when I was there it was much lower. Perhaps, the snow was much deeper.

In the past I have called the Berlin Fish Hatchery a couple days in advance and always had success in getting the gate to be left open.

Sounds like you had an interesting day.

Thanks for sharing.

Earl

 

[Tuco]

Darl- I was one of the group that met you on the way down- nice to meet you both. Conditions on the way down were very different that on the way up, a lot of ice and light snow melted away. Looks like your conditions on the summit were much better; when we were there it was raining so we headed straight off the summit.

If was frustrating to see the sun near the Presi Ridge and be under clouds all day. Some of the water flow looked like it would run onto the trail with much more rain. Also met SpongeBob and HarryK, nice to see them again..

I have a few pix myself of the same trip at my link below. Maybe one day it won’t rain and the ground will be snow.

 

[marchowes]

Thanks for the TR. I am going to be up there this weekend hopefully. Thinking of camping at the cabin. Any chance there is a stove up there yet?

Last time I was up Cabot -- in October there was 4-8 inches of soggy recently rained on snow. One of the worst hikes I've ever done

 

[Ray]

Very nice TR and and excellent photographs. I found Cabot to be one of my more enjoyable hikes. Nice to revisit the trail again and especially the cabin via your great pics.

Ray

 

[Rols]

Darl, it was nice meeting you on the trail (I was with Tuco when we met). I'm glad you had a good trip. I enjoyed your pictures. I had burried my camera in my pack because of the wet weather. I'm afraid I was too lazy to dig it out.

Great pictures...thanks for sharing.

 

[Darl58]

As you can see a couple times the moisture got to my camera, but it keeps on clicking!
It was nice to meet you guys on the trail! Hopefully we'll meet again.