sapblatt
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Another temperate Saturday was upon us as me and Paul (Rols) decided to get the northernmost, and most remote 4k done. This would be Rol’s 46th peak on his second go around (only 13 months!) and it would be my 44th peak. Once again, our early start was even earlier than planned. A planned meeting in Concord at 4:30AM actually happened at the Hooksett rest area at 3:55AM! The length of this drive made us glad for the earlier start.
We headed up to Stark, NH to the northern end of the Unknown Pond Trail. We chose this route because we did not want to deal with the private property issue, or the gate at the fish hatchery. Many have said recently that the hatchery gate has been open 24/7, at least on weekends. This is located about 4 miles down Mill Brook Road of highway 110. The gate that is mentioned in the AMC Guide apparently has been taken down, so we were able to park close to the trailhead and avoid the rolling .8-mile (each way) road walk. The trailhead is difficult to see when driving up, but it is right at the second bridge.
We parked in a small lot about 200 yards beyond the trailhead, while others parked on the roadside right next to the trail. We were hiking by 7:00 AM and it was 51 degrees!
I have read about, and heard from Rols about what a nice woodlands walk this trail was. I certainly was not disappointed. The grade is near flat at first, and it slowly gains elevation. The lower parts are mixed hardwoods and it slowly becomes a forest of large, beautiful birch trees. The lower elevations also have the deluxe bonus of the babbling brook. As you near Unknown Pond you cross the brook (less minor than minor) and proceed down to the junction with the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. We took a short detour to the left to go down to Unknown Pond for a quick view from the bottom. This is a prime spot. The view to the Horn, with its reflection back into the pond is spectacular.
We were soon back on our way on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. The walk to the Horn spur is pretty relaxed with a few minor ups and downs and no real problems besides a couple of bog bridges that are on the verge of collapsing – we were lucky! Eventually we reached the unsigned Horn spur. We decided that we were starving and instead of our original plan of hitting the Horn on the way back, we did it now. I usually like “little” scrambles, but I’ll be perfectly honest; the final moves to hit the top of this one rattled me a bit. I think I was having an off day, but if it was not for Rols encouragement and push, I may have stayed off of the very top. I am glad I did not. The view from the top of the Horn is wonderful. You can see 36o degrees including a nice view into King’s Ravine, Durand and Nowell Ridge and over to Mount Washington. I particularly liked the view of the Air Line that could be seen from this vantage point. We ate out lunch and began t head over towards the Bulge.
The climb up to the Bulge was also rather gentle. We made it over there quickly and there were only minor views through the trees, mainly to the northwest. We descended into the col between the Bulge and Cabot and then began the slog up to Cabot. I was not prepared for how steep this would be at times, although it was quite easy. I think I was trying to maintain the pace that I was hiking over the easy terrain when it got steeper (and hotter) and it nailed me. Rols and I both seriously question the mileage on this section. It is allegedly 1.1 miles from the Horn to Cabot (with the Bulge being near the middle.) Reality made me think that it was about ½ mile from the Horn to the Bulge and about one mile from there to Cabot. Anyways, at 11:30 we were at Cabot. Zero vies, nice little wooded spot, similar to Owl’s Head. We were on our way back down shortly.
We met a few hikers at the Horn Spur, one woman talked with us for a while about her hiking and her quest for the 48. She was around number 33 I believe. Rols and I tried desperately to talk her out of her plan to finish on Mount Hale! We soon moved on back towards the pond. We took another break there and enjoyed the afternoon views and talked with a few woman who were overnighting (what a great spot to camp!)
We soon began the short trek back to the car. The 2.2 miles only took us about an hour, as the gentle grades were easy to deal with. We did the entire hike including many scenery and food/drink breaks in book time (7:30). A quick stop for food and gas and we were on our way back south. The only bad thing about the entire day was the 70-minute delay north of Concord; the result of a car accident that was being cleaned up. Another great hike, another great day!
Pictures
44/48
Another temperate Saturday was upon us as me and Paul (Rols) decided to get the northernmost, and most remote 4k done. This would be Rol’s 46th peak on his second go around (only 13 months!) and it would be my 44th peak. Once again, our early start was even earlier than planned. A planned meeting in Concord at 4:30AM actually happened at the Hooksett rest area at 3:55AM! The length of this drive made us glad for the earlier start.
We headed up to Stark, NH to the northern end of the Unknown Pond Trail. We chose this route because we did not want to deal with the private property issue, or the gate at the fish hatchery. Many have said recently that the hatchery gate has been open 24/7, at least on weekends. This is located about 4 miles down Mill Brook Road of highway 110. The gate that is mentioned in the AMC Guide apparently has been taken down, so we were able to park close to the trailhead and avoid the rolling .8-mile (each way) road walk. The trailhead is difficult to see when driving up, but it is right at the second bridge.
We parked in a small lot about 200 yards beyond the trailhead, while others parked on the roadside right next to the trail. We were hiking by 7:00 AM and it was 51 degrees!
I have read about, and heard from Rols about what a nice woodlands walk this trail was. I certainly was not disappointed. The grade is near flat at first, and it slowly gains elevation. The lower parts are mixed hardwoods and it slowly becomes a forest of large, beautiful birch trees. The lower elevations also have the deluxe bonus of the babbling brook. As you near Unknown Pond you cross the brook (less minor than minor) and proceed down to the junction with the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. We took a short detour to the left to go down to Unknown Pond for a quick view from the bottom. This is a prime spot. The view to the Horn, with its reflection back into the pond is spectacular.
We were soon back on our way on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. The walk to the Horn spur is pretty relaxed with a few minor ups and downs and no real problems besides a couple of bog bridges that are on the verge of collapsing – we were lucky! Eventually we reached the unsigned Horn spur. We decided that we were starving and instead of our original plan of hitting the Horn on the way back, we did it now. I usually like “little” scrambles, but I’ll be perfectly honest; the final moves to hit the top of this one rattled me a bit. I think I was having an off day, but if it was not for Rols encouragement and push, I may have stayed off of the very top. I am glad I did not. The view from the top of the Horn is wonderful. You can see 36o degrees including a nice view into King’s Ravine, Durand and Nowell Ridge and over to Mount Washington. I particularly liked the view of the Air Line that could be seen from this vantage point. We ate out lunch and began t head over towards the Bulge.
The climb up to the Bulge was also rather gentle. We made it over there quickly and there were only minor views through the trees, mainly to the northwest. We descended into the col between the Bulge and Cabot and then began the slog up to Cabot. I was not prepared for how steep this would be at times, although it was quite easy. I think I was trying to maintain the pace that I was hiking over the easy terrain when it got steeper (and hotter) and it nailed me. Rols and I both seriously question the mileage on this section. It is allegedly 1.1 miles from the Horn to Cabot (with the Bulge being near the middle.) Reality made me think that it was about ½ mile from the Horn to the Bulge and about one mile from there to Cabot. Anyways, at 11:30 we were at Cabot. Zero vies, nice little wooded spot, similar to Owl’s Head. We were on our way back down shortly.
We met a few hikers at the Horn Spur, one woman talked with us for a while about her hiking and her quest for the 48. She was around number 33 I believe. Rols and I tried desperately to talk her out of her plan to finish on Mount Hale! We soon moved on back towards the pond. We took another break there and enjoyed the afternoon views and talked with a few woman who were overnighting (what a great spot to camp!)
We soon began the short trek back to the car. The 2.2 miles only took us about an hour, as the gentle grades were easy to deal with. We did the entire hike including many scenery and food/drink breaks in book time (7:30). A quick stop for food and gas and we were on our way back south. The only bad thing about the entire day was the 70-minute delay north of Concord; the result of a car accident that was being cleaned up. Another great hike, another great day!
Pictures
44/48
