Cabot Trail

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

I know this subject has been covered numerous times here, but can anybody give me an update. I see many people still use this trail, are we going to run into a problem? Are we taking our chances using this trail? Is there anywhere to park in winter that won't PO the land owner?

Would it be better to go over to York Pond and take Bunnell Notch? We've done this before, and we've done Mill Brook Road to the Unknown Pond Trail, and now we'd like to try the Cabot Trail for our winter 4k.

Any thoughts on this will be appreciated.

KDT

 

[NewHampshire]

Are we taking our chances using this trail?

Short and simple....yes you are.

Is there anywhere to park in winter that won't PO the land owner?

The issue is not with the landowner who owns the trailhead (this one has seems to be rather friendly to hikers.) Its a different landowner, furhter up the trail, who has been known to come out and intimidate people (I have even heard reports of a shotgun brandished, but don't know if thats pure internet gossip)

Would it be better to go over to York Pond and take Bunnell Notch? We've done this before, and we've done Mill Brook Road to the Unknown Pond Trail, and now we'd like to try the Cabot Trail for our winter 4k.

Any thoughts on this will be appreciated.

KDT

Honestly....yes, I think its better to go from York Pond. The Cabot Trail may be quick, but it is pretty boring/bland, constitutes more personal risk (due to the landowner issue) and getting HEAVILY overgrown (meaning it COULD be tough to follow....though I don't know what it would look like now with snow on it.

Brian

 

[Ed'n Lauky]

In the summer the Bunnel Notch trail is definitely better. It is a more interesting trail as it follows a stream for a long ways. It is smoother under foot and even if it is a bit longer than the Cabot trail, I believe it nevertheless takes less time than the Cabot trail. You also don't have to worry about any conflicts with the land owner.

In the winter it might be less likely to be broken out. However, if we can get more people to go that way, it shouldn't be a problem.

I have not done it in the winter, however, and I have a question myself. How far in do they plow? If the road is only plowed as far as the houses there will be a bit of a road walk to do to get to the trail head.

 

[dug]

It's plowed all the way. Before the issue w/ the Cabot Trail, this route wasn't broken out much (seemed like every winter I had to do it myself ). However, since traffic has been increased the last two winters I have seen it broken out.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Thanks!

We appreciate the feedback! We have done the Bunnell Notch Trail before, and it looks like we will again. Thanks again.

KDT