Conditions & Brook Crossings - Unknown Pond and Bunnell Notch Trails

[p2piper]

We are interested in climbing Cabot (via The Horn and The Bulge) by going up the Unknown Pond Trail and down the Bunnell Notch Trail (or whichever is steeper up and less steep down) next Saturday, March 30. This is my first late winter/early spring exprience hiking in the Whites and I am unsure of stream crossings after this warm week. Anyone aware of any stream crossings on this loop that would warn us away from doing this hike?

 

[peakbagger]

I did Mt Cabot via Bunnel notch two weekends ago. There are no significant stream crossings on Bunnel Notch trail once it leaves the logging road. Along the logging road, the only major crossing has a bridge, there are two other ditches where culverts were removed that could easilly be jumped over.

The biggest issue, is that the portions of the upper section of the notch trail tends to be in a "stream bed", the stream actually runs next to it but there are several wet areas that the trail crosses. Its a lot better than before the relocation, but its more of a mud issue than a not being able to cross issue.

The Unknown Pond trail is in my opinion wetter than the Bunnel Notch trail since the Bunnel relocation. It makes a very long day to do the loop especially with the potential snow conditions. It took a steady 8 hour day to go up and down Cabot via Bunnel.

 

[dug]

The snow between Cabot and Unknown Pond tends to be deep, not very well travelled, and rotten by this time of the year. There is more traffic in this area than there was a few years ago, so that may help a bit. I personally haven't been up there this winter.

 

[p2piper]

Well, it looks like this loop will need to wait until things dry out a bit. Thanks for your input!

p2

 

[blacknblue]

Water crossings were a bit dicey a week ago on Unknown Pond Trail, but it had less to do with high water as it did with the snowpack hiding the ice and gaps between rocks. Of course, a week of melting later.... Conditions change quickly this time of year.