Cabot

[Jim lombard]

Has anyone recently been up the Mt Cabot Trail? We're heading up there tomorrow for my wife's 4K list. I hiked from the fish hatchery two years ago in the rain and tomorrows forecast sounds the same:

Partly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Highs: Upper 70s °F
Lows: Around 60 °F

I'd love a different perspective but not a confrontation with an angry land-owner. Why can't they be like those nice folks at Ferncroft?

 

[David Metsky]

The forest service considers the trail closed and asks the public to not use the trail. Even if the landowner doesn't have a legal right to bar hikers from the trail (and it's not the trailhead, it's further up the trail) the FS doesn't want conflict with landowners.

The approach from the north on Mill Brook is really nice, that's what I'd recommend.

-dave-

 

[Jim lombard]

Thanks Dave,
I've never heard of this trail before, all I remember of Bunnell Notch was the wet muddy mess and wanted to avoid it.

I'll have to look up Mill Brook after work, is it a lot further drive than the original Mt Cabot trail or the Fish hatchery?

 

[JohnL]

I would expect to find the trail off of Mill Brook Rd to be muddy as well since it follows, and for some short lengths is part of, an adjacent stream. But, like Dave says, it is a very nice approach with a nice birch forest, Unknown Pond, and the Horn along the way.

JohnL

 

[Jim lombard]

Thanks Guys, I must've been on that trail when I did the loop over Cabot, Horn and Bulge, I do remember a pond. I think we'll try it.

 

[MichaelJ]

I'm curious - anyone know if the issue with this trail is an active one that the Forest Service is continuing to pursue, or have they given up and will the trail simply be allowed to fall into disrepair until someday when there may be a new, more amenable landowner?

 

[Jim lombard]

Mt Cabot Trail

I'm curious - anyone know if the issue with this trail is an active one that the Forest Service is continuing to pursue, or have they given up and will the trail simply be allowed to fall into disrepair until someday when there may be a new, more amenable landowner?

Couple of interesting points were brought up on this hike yesterday.

1) Lots of people were hiking the Mt Cabot trail from Jefferson despite the threats from the landowner yesterday. We spoke with several who had no difficulties. The Boyscouts who maintain the cabin just below Cabot do have a right of way on the trail. I spoke with a Scoutmaster at the cabin and they're using this trail regularly. I don't think this trail will fall into dis-repair.

2)I spoke with a NF backcountry ranger who said they're really thinking of closing Bunnell Notch because of the threat of errosion. We hiked this yesterday, what a bloody mess! It's gotten worse (maybe because of recent rain.) I hiked this two years ago and it wasn't quite as bad as it is now. They may also re-locate this trail. Stay tuned, I'm sure the controversy will continue.

Once you reach the Mt Cabot trail from the fish hatchery this is a fantastic hike, the views yesterday from the Horn were simply stunning. It's a bit of a scramble to the top but well worth it and a hundred highest also!

 

[MichaelJ]

Thanks for the responses. It's good to know of the scouts' presence. With the situation on the Mt. Cabot Trail, if they choose to close Bunnell Notch that will make things really interesting...

 

[peakbagger]

Re: Bunnel Notch Trail, I have talked to the official adopter of the trail several times as recently as 2 months ago and he indicated that the Bunnel notch trail is going to be substantially relocated to avoid the eroded areas. This reconstruction was funded by a timber cut that occured in the lower section of trail. He has been instructed not to make any repairs beyond removing blowdowns and minimal reblazing.

Its interesting that the backcountry ranger had a different story.

Given the budget and lack of resources for trail work, the backcountry ranger's story sounds depressingly more likely

 

[Jim lombard]

Originally posted by peakbagger

This reconstruction was funded by a timber cut that occured in the lower section of trail

I sure noticed that mess left behind. It seemed two years ago that this area leading up to where the trail diverges into the woods was allot nicer. As I wrote in my trip report, there are mounds of dead gray branches all over the place. I can see why many people use the bootleg (as one hiker called it) Mt Cabot trail.

 

[Tramper Al]

Nice!

Hey, what do you guys think of the Mill Brook approach in Winter? I would be aiming for Horn and Bulge only, and have hiked via Bunnell Notch several times now. Does anyone know the road plowing /gate situation for the northern approach?
Thanks in advance,

 

[Jim lombard]

Tramper, we parked at what I think was the trailhead for Mill Brook and walked to Bunnell because of a late start (gate locked at 4pm.) There are houses right to the gate so I imagine they must keep it plowed during the winter. I would love to do the Horn especially in winter, what a perch!

 

[MichaelJ]

Combine that winter Horn trip with camping at Unknown Pond and I think you have one of the most idyllic hikes possible. Hmm ... where's my to-do list?


Edit: even better, with snow on the ground and no need to be near water, how about right up on Roger's Ledge? Ooooohhhh...

 

[dug]

I will chime in regarding Roger's Ledge. I have camped up there a few times, but only once in the winter. I fortunately get to hit the Mill Brook Trail a once or twice over the winter for a snowshoe or a ski, and only one other time have I found a broken trail. It doesn't get much traffic. Anywhere in the area you will probably find unbroken trails, just to keep in mind.

I usually get dropped off and picked up, so I never worry about the gate situation...

It's a beautiful area...my favorite spot in the Whites. It would definantly be a great trip.

 

[funkyfreddy]

I would like to camp near Roger's Ledge as well, and take an afternoon to explore the Devil's Hopyard area which Papabear and I skipped when we there recently. I also wouldn't mind going back to the Horn and Mt. Cabot on a good day.

Maybe I should start redlining all of the trails in the Whites north of Rt. 2.......... lots of nice loops and places to go off the beaten path - just wish I lived a little closer! So many mountains........ so little time.......

 

[Mike P.]

Mill Brook requires some more driving for most of us, those from the Great White North would find it less. It is a very nice approach & pretty moderate. I managed to keep just over a 2 MPH pace over the three peaks which si pretty fast for me over this kind of distance. (it was threatening to rain in June when I was there so no long summit stops, just a quick bite & water)

Bunnell in the winter when it's frozen up probably is nice, otherwise it' wet xcept in drought. In November I found it pretty frustrating just enough snow to hide the mud. A relocation would be a good thing.

 

[RoySwkr]

Hey, what do you guys think of the Mill Brook approach in Winter? I would be aiming for Horn and Bulge only, and have hiked via Bunnell Notch several times now. Does anyone know the road plowing /gate situation for the northern approach?
Thanks in advance,

Unless there is a logging operation you will be walking about 4 miles on the road, probably snowmobile tracked.

The fish hatchery road is usually plowed to the Unknown Pond Trail with the gate frozen into the snowdrift so that is probably the shortest winter approach if you wish to avoid confrontation.

 

[marty]

Does anyone know if the Mill Brook Gate is likely to stay open this weekend? I am interested in doing an overnight backpacking trip, but would hate to return Sunday with the gate locked. THANKS

 

[RoySwkr]

Does anyone know if the Mill Brook Gate is likely to stay open this weekend? I am interested in doing an overnight backpacking trip, but would hate to return Sunday with the gate locked. THANKS

The gate on the Mill Brook Road will probably not be locked until after hunting season.

The gate on the York Pond Road will probably be closed Saturday night unless you arrange otherwise at the fish hatchery. However they will open it again Sunday morning and leave it open until 4pm or later.

 

[marty]

Roy - thank you so much for the information about the gates! Marty