mt cabot

[hikerfast]

is the bunnell notch trail to the mt cabot trail easy to follow? i was reading somewhere it was almost discontinued. Another concern was getting locked in the gate on the way to the fish hatchery where i hear you want to park. All this because of that whacko that is blocking access to the regular way.

 

[spencer]

If you search the site, you'll find lots of threads about Cabot and its approaches.

Bunnell Notch is a bit hard to follow and is very muddy. However, it's certainly doable and not a difficult hike overall.

when you search for Cabot, you'll find lot of anecdotal evidence that the gate isn't that big of a deal. Stop in to the hatchery when you head in and find out when they are going to close it for the day if at all.

and have fun!

spencer

 

[hikerfast]

ok ill try to figure out how to search the site for mt cabot

 

[SteveHiker]

Or go in from the Unknown Pond direction. Mill Brook trail in Stark. It is very easy to follow, and actually pretty easy to hike too.

 

[hikerfast]

is it shorter to go in the unknown pond trail from the york fish hatchery side?

 

[spencer]

The Unknown Pond via Mill Brook Rd. approach is 10 miles RT and the Bunnell Notch Trail is about 8.5 miles RT.

To search the site, look in the upper right corner of the page and you'll see a blue/purple button that says "search" (it's next to the home and f.a.q. buttons). Click on it and it'll show you the rest.


good luck.
spencer

 

[spencer]

I just reread your question. No, if you are going to go from the hatchery side (east), then the Bunnell Notch is by far the shortest route.

 

[SherpaKroto]

I had success calling the fish hatchery, telling them when I'd be there, identifying my car, and estimating when I'd be out. They are very accomodating to hikers. The guy who runs the hatchery lives right there and has offered to unlock the gate early, and lock it back late whenever I've called ahead. Really nice people to deal with.

Bunnell Notch Trail is not too hard to follow at all. Just pay close attention to a few quick turns marked by arrows. It is muddy for sure, but usually not horrendous.

 

[hikerfast]

how about going in from the hatchery up the unknown pond trail ?

 

[Jim lombard]

That trailhead is there also and many people do the loop up Bunnell notch across the Horn and Bulge and then down Unknown Pond. When we were there in July we did the loop and because of a late start parked before the gate (which adds a 2 mile walk each way.) Both times I've been on Bunnell it's been a mess but as I reported here this last trip was worse. I think the mud holes are getting deeper, in fact a ranger we met said they may close or relocate this trail.

 

[hikerfast]

anyone have the number to the fish hatchery? sounds like going in the unknown pond trail, up the horn and over to cabot, and back down is the shortest way then.

 

[Jim lombard]

Berlin Fish Hatchery -- At the end of York Pond Road off Route 110 in Milan;
(603) 449-3412

 

[Daniel Eagan]

sounds like going in the unknown pond trail, up the horn and over to cabot, and back down is the shortest way then.

It's a lot shorter to go up Cabot on the Bunnell Notch Trail, then do the Bulge and Horn and come out via the Unknown Pond Trail. We did the Bunnell Notch Trail in August after/during several days of rain. It was a bit messy in parts but certainly navigable. It's straight up rather than over a bumpy ridge, and very easy to follow.

Coming down from Cabot over to the Horn was the best part of the trip, but I'm not sure I'd want to do it in reverse.

 

[MichaelJ]

Cabot from the Unknown Pond Trail head on Mill Brook Road is a fine hike - no major mud or trail-following problems, nice woods, easy grades, a beautiful stop at Unknown Pond, and the amazing views off the Horn. Plus you get the NE100 peak of the Bulge. See my trip report here.

 

[hikerfast]

on the delorme guide im seeing south pond road, not mill brook road, is this one and the same? we want to get the horn too, as well as cabot

 

[MichaelJ]

No. South Pond Road goes to South Pond recreation area and the northern terminus of the Kilkenny Ridge Trail.

Mill Brook Road hits the Unknown Pond trail here (zoom out to see where this is).

South Pond is way over here .

Do note one important thing. Topozone shows an old trail that is closed and has been no longer maintained for quite a while. Namely, the Mill Brook Trail from the fish hatchery now terminates at the Kilkenny Ridge Trail here . It does NOT continue on to Mill Brook Road and there is NOT a trailhead here any more.

 

[RoySwkr]

on the delorme guide im seeing south pond road, not mill brook road, is this one and the same? we want to get the horn too, as well as cabot

For some reason the DeLorme labels both the true South Pond Road and Mill Brook Road as South Pond Road. The one you want is not far E of the white covered bridge in Stark and had a hiker symbol the last time I was there.

Incidentally I met 2 guys on W Bond who were there on a memorial hike, but it was not from the death last winter but one 2 years ago.