Elevation gain: 3260 feet
Trails used: York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Unknown Pond Trail, road walk.
Highlight(s): Unknown Pond, views from the summit of the Horn, former fire tower summit.
With Saturday's weather less than desirable Brian and I decided to head out Sunday for what was supposed to be a much better day. The target for the day would be the big Mount Cabot-The Bulge-The Horn loop starting from York Pond Road. Oddly, once through Franconia Notch the snow literally disappeared and gave us the feeling of mid spring with temperatures to match. Alas, the grand day the weathermen predicted did not quite pan out, and we spent the bulk of the day being snowed on, sleeted on, and fairly well blown about in very strong winds.
Mount Cabot, the Bulge and the Horn are located in Kilkenny, New Hampshire and Mount Cabot is the highest peak in the Pilot Range. It is also the northernmost 4000 footer of all the New Hampshire 4000 foot peaks. There isn't much for views from the summit of Mount Cabot, and no views from the wooded summit of The Bulge, but there are good views from the summit of The Horn. There used to be a fire tower on the summit of Mount Cabot, but it has long since been taken down although the old fire wardens cabin is still in place and can be rented.
Mount Cabot is on the New Hampshire Four Thousand Footer's List. Mount Cabot, The Bulge and The Horn are on the New England One Hundred Highest List, the New Hampshire One Hundred Highest List, the New Hampshire Two Hundred Highest List, and the New Hampshire 3K List.
We started at the York Pond Trailhead, right across from the fish hatchery. A quick jaunt to the Bunnell Notch Trail junction and it is easy 4.5 miles to the summit of Mount Cabot.
The Kilkenny area is noted for it's nice and beautiful open hardwood stands. Brian is heading up the Bunnell Notch trail in very minimal snow conditions down in lower elevations.
The hardest crossing of the day, as you had to cross on this two downed trees. These were also the only other hikers we would come across on today's hike.
The Bunnell Notch Trail passes along many streams down low on the hike up to Mount Cabot, offering plenty of cascades and waterfalls for one to enjoy along the way.
These very nice woods as we move our way up to Mount Cabot. There was some snow down low but not a lot. Most of it was probably melted from the previous days rain.
The Bunnell Notch Trail heading up was a mixture of hardpack snow and ice.
We made our way up the Bunnell Notch Trail to its junction with the Kilkenney Ridge Trail as we are getting closer to the summit of Mount Cabot.
Higher up the open hardwoods give way to spruce (and snow) heaven. It got a bit icy in this spot with a light blanket of freshly fallen snow.
Brian taking a picture of the Mount Cabot cabin, which is just below the summit of Mount Cabot. You can stay overnight in the old fire wardens cabin, for a fee.
Normally the views from the cabin are decent; today, not so much.
Me on Mount Cabot's summit (elevation: 4170 feet). This hike would make WNH36 for me.
We continued along the Kilkenny Ridge Trail on our way to The Bulge and Horn. This is the always exciting summit of The Bulge (elevation: 3950 feet). Always is a bit of an exaggeration since there are zero views from this summit.
Usually, The Horn (elevation: 3905 feet) offers wonderful views that are some of the best in the Whites, but today it was nothing but a whiteout. No way would we be climbing on top of this since there was just enough ice to make it too much of an ordeal.
Brian trying to take a picture from the ledges below the summit of the Horn.
We left our bags at the spur trail to the Horn as it was easier than lugging them to the summit.
Still continuing on, we came to Unknown Pond which typically offers a classic view of The Horn rising over the pond. Alas, again it was just a whiteout with even more snow coming down.
Several pretty good sized water crossings along the Unknown Pond Trail, such as this one. This trail looked like it had seen no recent foot traffic on it.
Brian heading down a nice birch glade area along the Unknown Pond Trail.
I think Brian was trying to break dance here, but I am not sure. With the low snow levels, there was plenty of ice to make us slip and fall.
The hike out was tough as the Unknown Pond Trail is difficult to follow and the snow was pretty deep on this side. Finally though, we made it to the Unknown Pond Trail head after a tiring hike. From here it was a short road walk back to the car.
While the weather for the day was not the greatest it was far better than what would have been encountered Saturday (rain, rain and more rain). Brian and I have both hiked the Unknown Pond trail from York Road before, and today reminded me why it is one of my least favorite trails (I am looking at you, Valley Way and 19 Mile Brook!!) .
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