Mt. Cabot, The Bulge, The Horn, & Unknown Pond (White Mountain National Forest)

Mt. Cabot, The Bulge, The Horn, & Unknown Pond (White Mountain National Forest)

Distance: 12.05 miles
Elevation: 3,248 feet

Time: 7 hours, 23 minutes (6 hours, 8 minutes moving)
Hike Type: Loop
Hiking Challenges: New Hampshire 4000 Footers, 52 With-a-View, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge

The Hike

Day two of my mini vacation to the Whites! I originally though I’d hike Mt. Carrigain, but conflicting forecasts led me away - I’ve read time and time again that Carrigain should be hiked on a perfect day for the view that it has! On a whim, I checked how far the Berlin Fish Hatchery was, and once I realized it was just a little over an hour, I decided Mt. Cabot would be my victim for the day! I was up around 5:00am with a dear hotel neighbor of mine losing her ever-loving mind about a missing hotel keycard, so I was on the road soon after!

The mountains of Franconia Notch where unfortunately cloud-less, but I remembered why I pivoted my plans - trust the forecast! Continuing the drive, I could see other peaks, especially the Presidentials, were shrouded in clouds - trust the forecast! I stopped at the McDonalds and Walmart in Gorham for Egg McMuffins and a cheap rain jacket, respectively. The drive from Berlin center to the trailhead was beautiful - and the fish hatchery gate was open! I saw three different signs - one said 7:30am, one said 8:00am, and another said 8:30am. I remember last summer they were locking the gate outside of business hours, but it seems they’ve stopped that.

I eventually made it to the end of beautiful York Pond Road and arrived to the York Pond Trail trailhead. It was 64 degrees out, breezy, and I could already see the deer flies. Thankfully, the wind kept them generally at bay. My tummy was in a sour mood, which would be come a later problem. I did laugh at the clear “no pooping” sign on the last building on York Pond Road (just after the trailhead parking area).

"Berlin Hatchery

This facility is operated as part of our overall fisheries management program. Since the 1880s, the hatchery system has been an important part of the program to meet the demand for fishing opportunities. The number and kind of fish raised and stocked are based on sound biological research and management plans. Good fishing results from the wise use of hatchery-reared fish, maintenance of habitat and water quality and an informed, supportive public.

While visiting the hatchery, please say off concrete tanks and raceways. Fish should be fed only their controlled diet; for the health of the fish, do not throw, kick or put anything into the water. Dogs must be on leash. Enjoy your visit!" from informational kiosk on York Pond Road.

My bug net went almost instantly on due to one persistent deer fly. I don’t know if it actually does anything, but I swear they go away once its on! This beginning stretch of trail was wet, muddy, wet, overgrown, wet, grassy, and wet. Oh, and buggy… and wet. I really wouldn’t mind the flies as much if they would just buzz quieter.

After just a bit of suffering, the Bunnell Notch Trail splits off on the right after another grassy, wet spot, crosses two streams, and continues through borderline brutal wet, overgrown footing. The breeze continued blowing which kept the bugs at bay, and the clouds were beginning to roll in.

The Bunnell Notch Trail descended slightly to… another wet section (you’ll notice I grow to accept this fate after a while). This would actually be a lovely trail if it were bone dry and trimmed back! I cautiously took the bug net off after a while of not-swatting, and thankfully it stayed off for… a while.

The trail works its way to join a stream in an area with many skinny trees (possibly birches?), which was lovely. I also noticed that there was a distinct lack of spider webs to my face… I guess one or both of the two cars at the trailhead hiked in before me! The trail crosses a few more streams, eventually crossing a larger one that required a little bit of care. Soon enough the Bunnell Notch Trail entered another overgrown area, hit the one-mile mark, and turned left off of the old logging road to ascend via stone steps.

The fun skinny trees that may or may not be birches continue now as the Bunnell Notch Trail meanders about, starting to gain elevation. The trail was in MUCH better condition once leaving the logging road, but the breeze was GONE. I was going through many emotions on this hike, clearly.

The bugs continued to behave if I kept moving as the trail climbed high above a drainage brook. The breeze continued to be on and off as the trail became more scenic. There was a wonderful walking break that led up to the stream’s edge, which then naturally led to the trail becoming significantly more wet… again. Thankfully the trail did not become overgrown again, or I would have thrown a fit. It should also be noted that I would like to formally apologize to whatever deity is in charge of slugs - I must have stepped on at least 100 because they were littering the trail for actual miles.

The Bunnell Notch Trail climbed high above the stream again and offered a peak through the woods to a waterfall that looked perfect for sitting underneath and wondering why I continue to hike if I feel like I’m dying every time I ascend a mountain?

Continuing to rise above and then level off to join the stream, the trail really was testing my patience, and the steam coming off my body could have been sweat, or could have been coming out of my ears when I realized how far away I still was… I did eventually catch up to somebody. I wanted to let them keep knocking down the spider webs, so I took a short standing break. The issue here was that my body interpreted a standing break as a “you need to christen the woods… NOW” break. I reluctantly took off my pack, grabbed necessary supplies, and ventured off into the woods to participate in my least favorite activity. At least this put some distance between me and the person ahead, I guess?

I guess not! I caught up to the human no more than five minutes later. She apparently camped barely off-trail last night. She was very forlorn that she’d have to descend on this comically wet trail with “all of [her] camping sh*t.”

After I hiked past her, the trail began to hike literally through a stream, and after who knows how long, began to level off as it approached Bunnell Notch. I was welcomed by a rattle that only a red squirrel can produce (which naturally scared the life out of me - I’ve been on high alert for moose this entire hike for literally no good reason other than it being northern New Hampshire, there hasn’t been any moose evidence all hike). The notch itself was very beautiful with ferns (and squirrels) as far as the eye could see (or at least to the walls on either side of the notch). After a small descent the trail enters a truly comically wet area that leads to the junction with the Kilkenny Ridge Trail.

I took a quick break at this junction to wring out my sopping wet shirt and then continued on a (shockingly) wet, rugged descent along the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. It was now dark, moody, chilly, and windy on the other side of the notch. I definitely made the right move not hiking Mt. Carrigain today!

The trail eventually bottomed out and came to the junction with the former Mt. Cabot Trail - I understand (I guess) why trails close, but it’s really such a bummer (there are some interesting threads on vfft.com about the closure). I did see a rare blaze at this junction, though!

The Kilkenny Ridge Trail begins to climb after this junction, climbing more steadily along the slope of the mountain. I could occasionally barely make out the summit through the trees, which was exciting!

The trail made a big curve, climbing up another stream (I’m sure it was more wet on this day than usual, but I feel like its always a bit wet) as the clouds began to darken. I was really hoping the rain would hold off until my descent - we’ll find out!

I noticed my ears were popping A LOT during this hike. I’m sure it’s partially due to the elevation, but I wonder if the changing weather is also playing a part? The Higher Summits Forecast mentioned low and high pressure fronts coming and going… not sure what that means, but it would make sense that it would make my ears pop? Maybe?

The trail continued to climb with a more open canopy. I was dive-bombed by two BLUE jays?? I’m used to feisty Gray Jays… this was an interesting change. After the birds scared the life out of me, I turned around to see Mt. Cabot in a CLOUD. I was heartbroken. I know I chose this hike because it is one people usually complain about for not having views… but come on…

Thankfully, my disappoint was slightly alleviated when I arrived to the Bunnell Rock viewpoint, which was hauntingly beautiful in this weather. A flank of Terrace Mountain was in the foreground. To the left was Mt. Moriah. Behind Terrace was Mts. Waumbek and Starr King, both of which were not in a cloud! Further back on the right were the Twin, Franconia, and Kinsman Ranges, all without clouds, too! What gives!

Back on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, I made my way into the clouds through some eroded footing. The clouds were DENSE up here, which was super spooky. Soon enough I was in the Forest Protection Area, and then on the lower summit plateau, where I could make out the shadow of a privy through the dense fog. Straight ahead was the Cabot Cabin. Once I was within 10 feet of the cabin, it started to rain!

I let myself into the cabin, propped the door open, and had a truly wonderful 30 minutes of watching the rain fall and wind blow. It was 63 degrees in the cabin, 58 outside the cabin, but it felt much cooler in wet clothes with the wind. There was comfortable room for four in the cabin plus a picnic table. Slowly the porch became soaked, so I stayed put! There was no log book sadly, but I did get to enjoy three of my coveted “peanut butter on a tortilla” roll-ups. I had the realization that I need to start adding a deck of cards to my pack - solitaire would have been AMAZING during this break.

A handwritten letter on the cabin’s bulletin board read: “WELCOME to Cabot Cabin: This unique structure has been restored by the US Forest Service for your enjoyment. Please respect this cabin and the labor done by volunteers and the Androscoggin Ranger District Backcountry/Wilderness Crew. A notebook has been provided for your stories and artwork. Do not deface this building with graffiti or carvings. Please use the Outhouse facility (or a wizz bottle) and take all trash with you. Thank you for helping keep this place amazing! ~ USFS Androscoggin Ranger District Backcountry/Wilderness Crew”

I was initially feeling impatient as I waited out the rain, but I eventually settled in and was really enjoying just watching the weather do its thing. The sun would get brighter and darker and with every gust of wind, a chunk of cloud would fly at the cabin. After about a half hour the rain began to lighten up, and it was time for me to go. I had put on the Frog Toggs rain jacket I got at Walmart just a few hours ago (I was worried the M/L would be small on it, it was HUGE), and I was back on the (VERY WET) trail!

The wind was still whipping but the main precipitation was all done. There were times where wind would knock enough water off of the trees to feel a bit like a watering hose, but all was good! The trail climbs gently then hit a VERY wet sag. There was a spur trail to water (as if there isn’t enough everywhere…) which was marked with a sign and an adorable cairn that was covered in white flowers.

The summit area of Mt. Cabot is at the Kilkenny Ridge Trail sign, and a small spur path behind the sign leads to the true summit, marked with a very small clearing and cairn.

Truly the woods from here to Unknown Pond were absolutely incredible, magical, and any other glorious word you could think of. The trail initially descended through fern-filled woods with horrible footing, but that was okay because it was just beautiful. It was reminiscent to the upper bit of the Mt. Sugarloaf trail (the one in Nash Stream Forest).

The Kilkenny Ridge Trail hit the col between Mt. Cabot and The Bulge and began to gently climb through more beautiful, wet woods. I liked to pretend that the clouds were getting less dense (eh). The FrogToggs were good for a short-term wear, but they were basically soaked through at this point. I guess I didn’t get cold?

The climb to The Bulge was longer than I was emotionally ready for (in hindsight, I should have connected the dots that it’s prominent enough to be on the New England Hundred Highest list…). I had to tie the rain jacket around my waist because I was sweating buckets. I also realized that my poor camera was soaked from the tree-rain. Someone must make a pack-cover-like-camera cover. Some waterproof material with an elastic cinch. Obviously not enough to protect it if I were to go swimming, but enough to protect it from occasional droplets.

The summit of The Bulge is marked with a cairn and then the Kilkenny Ridge Trial PLUMMETS to the depths of hell… or at least to the spur to The Horn. There were four blowdowns on this short stretch of trail, the first two had herd paths around them and the second two were step-overs. The woods continued to be beautiful and I noticed that the sun was trying to come out!

The spur to The Horn was a bit narrower than what I’ve hiked on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, but it was just as wet! It was close to a car wash of a trail, which was fine at this point. The trail got steeper toward the end and had one tricky scramble/leap of faith that I nearly died on (just kidding, I did almost slip and fall a few feet though which would have bruised my ego). The final leap was to the summit of The Horn, marked by a yellow summit marker (not a USGS benchmark though, this was labeled the US Dept. of Agriculture… curious what the purpose/different is).

It was windy, wet, and cloudy at the summit. But then… the clouds parted… then they didn’t… then some did… it was EXHILARATING. I fought for my life to finally get my camera lens de-fogged and clear while snapping “just in case photos” with my phone. My poor camera was slightly protesting its very existence, but eventually I got it working. I measured wind gusts up to 16mph while watching little windows open up to nearby peaks and valleys. It felt almost like a movie. Eventually, the clouds rolled back in fully and darkened, and being scared of thunderstorms (and reading that they were an option), I decided to get moving again.

I had quite an un-graceful time getting off of the summit, but soon enough was back in the steamy woods. The Kilkenny Ridge Trail slowly descended out of the clouds in some more stunning woods. After an initial descent, the trail ran relatively level, but footing was very rugged (plus slippery since everything was… wet).

Eventually, the trail turned and began a more steady descent with a joyful breeze in some more beautiful woods. I did slip on a root at a tiny crossing, but my butt did not hit the ground and therefore my pride is still intact! (Fun fact, the note I wrote for that moment was “slipper on a rope at the tiny xing” - I’m always impressed with my ability to decipher my notes, and more so, my phone’s autocorrects).

The lower I got the more bugs were back, which was a bummer, but they were generally still well-behaved if I kept it moving. I met a trail runner at 7.6 miles/5 hours, 29 minutes, and the poor guy didn’t see me until we were five feet away. Thankfully, it was bright and sunny again! I was very curious how the view from the pond would look…

The trail began to descend more steeply and eventually flattened out and got (somehow) considerably wetter. I kept thinking that I was seeing moose in the woods, but the “moose” were always either rocks or stumps. There was still no evidence of moose on this hike, I have no idea why I was so paranoid.

The Kilkenny Ridge Trail crossed a bog bridge in the wet area and then began to climb up to enter the Forest Protection Area surrounding Unknown Pond Tentsite - I was getting close! I could make out the pond through the trees.

NOW I finally found some moose poop, but only one pile near the pond. Near the junction with Unknown Pond Trail, there was a short spur path to the pond’s edge that showcased a beautiful pond of this backcountry area. Absolutely stunning.

“On a high plateau at the northeast base of The Horn lies Unknown Pond, which is reached by Kilkenny Ridge Trail or Unknown Pond trail. The pond is one of the jewels of the White Mountains: a beautiful mountain tarn in a birch forest carpeted with dense ferns, offering a picturesque view up to The Horn from its shore.” from White Mountain Guide, 31st Ed. (2022).

I turned right at the trail junction to follow the coinciding Kilkenny Ridge Trail/Unknown Pond Trails, which led to another view spur that showed the stunning view of Unknown Pond with The Horn shining high above, with NO CLOUDS. It’s fine. I’m happy I have this view… I guess…

I saw my third human of the day at the top of this view spur, who apparently made a wrong turn and meant to be headed toward York Pond Road, not the Kilkenny Ridge (I would see her again later). The Kilkenny Ridge Trail leaves on the left, there was another spur to the water of similar views (and MANY mating dragonflies), and across was the spur to the Unknown Pond Tentsite, where were were 6ish people. Just over three miles left now!

The Unknown Pond Trail begins to descend off the ridge in some more “fernlands” that led to an equally beautiful and infuriating view of the cloudless Presidential Range. How is it that the only time there were clouds was when I was on the peak of the mountain?? I also saw The Horn again… whooptie-doo…

After the view the trail dips into the woods on a rugged and rocky footbed (also wet… we’re back, not like we ever truly left, though). A fly looked me in the eye, I smacked it across the face, and then it buzzed to the back of my neck and bit the LIFE out of me. I was very upset, to say the least.

I found some more moose poop in another set of fernlands, and then the trail descended to the outlet stream from Unknown Pond, which was flowing strongly.

The guidebook describes this section of trail as having “luxuriant undergrowth,” which might be my new favorite way of saying “you’re going to be wet, claustrophobic, and overall very displeased with how overgrown this trail is.” I trailed the person who turned around earlier for a while, crossed the brook, crossed the brook again at a lovely waterfall, crossed the brook again with trickier footing, and made it into more “luxuriant undergrowth” with a comical amount of mud. Thank goodness I was wearing my waterproof boots for this hike.

The bug net was reinstalled after another fly was eyeing me, and I eventually caught up and passed the person I’d been trailing for who knows how long at this point. I saw some frogs in a puddle in yet another comically muddy section, and I realized I really had to pick up my pace to avoid becoming lunch for every bug in Coos County.

Eventually I heard a… new sound? Turns out it was a crew of 10-ish trail workers rehabilitating a section of trail (I felt bad tramping all over their hard work). I took off the bug net to say hi, but was IMMEDIATELY swarmed. Those trail workers are the bravest and strongest soldiers of all.

From this point on the trail was a straight-shot out of the woods, but man, I had to WORK for it. Flies constantly swarming and crawling all of the bug let, all while I was fighting to not fall into a deep pit of mud (MANY rock hops in this stretch). I was basically drunk stumbling by the time I saw the trailhead, but I was free!!

It was windy on York Pond Road, so the short walk back to the York Pond Trail trailhead was pleasant and mostly bug-free. I peeked into the holding area for some of the fish at the trailhead, and there were so many! I can’t wait to do a deep dive on fish hatcheries tonight. There were a million butterflies at my car, similar to yesterday’s hike of Mt. Paugus. I had a lovely drive home with another stop at the Gorham Walmart for pizza rolls, popcorn, and some more tortillas for tomorrows hike.

Back at the hotel now, writing this entry while Frozen is on TV (a phenomenal film), I find myself reflecting deeper on this hike than usual. I really felt like I hit a wall on this one. I found myself thinking, somewhere near the halfway point “do I actually enjoy this?” (and not in the way that everyone says that numerous times every hike - it was a deeper ponder). I was nervous that I was losing steam in this hobby of mine. To no surprise, that feeling has fully left my body. Even with the brutal last couple of miles, I was immediately thinking about my hike tomorrow once in the car. It was just a weird, slightly icky feeling I had. I think part of it may have been that I was “locked in” to this hike. Once I was on The Bulge, there was no easy bail-out, and I think that may have triggered a claustrophobic-type response in my brain? Not sure. Anyway, tomorrow will likely be the Tripyramids!

Step-By-Step

- Park at York Pond Trail trailhead.

- Start hike on York Pond trail.

- Soon, veer right onto Bunnell Notch Trail.

- At terminus, continue straight/right onto Kilkenny Ridge Trail.

- Summit Mt. Cabot and The Bulge.

- At next jct. after The Bulge, turn righ onto spur to The Horn.

- Summit the Horn, turn around.

- Turn right back onto Kilkenny Ridge Trail.

- At next jct., turn right onto Unknown Pond Trail.

- At terminus, short road walk to car.

"Bunnell Notch Trail" from White Mountain Guide, 31st Ed. (2022)

WMNF This trail, sparsely blazed in yellow, connects York Pond Trail with Kilkenny Ridge Trail in Bunnell Notch. In recent years, Bunnell Notch Trail has seen a considerably increase in usage as the primary route to Mt. Cabot because the former western route to that peak has been closed to public since 2000; this also makes possible a rather long but very attractive loop trip to Unknown Pond, The Horn, and Mt. Cabot. Although still wet in places, the trail is better maintained and easier to follow than it has been in the past.

        Leaving York Pond Trail on the right in an overgrown clearing 0.2 mi. from York Pond Rd., Bunnell Notch Trail follows a grassy logging road generally west, bearing right at a fork in another clearing at 0.3 mi. from York Pond Trail. Bunnell Notch Trail descends gradually, crossing several small streams and the larger stream that flows down from Bunnell Notch at 0.7 mi. (may be difficult in high water). At 0.9 mi., the trail turns left (sign) off the logging road. At 1.1 mi., it swings right to climb to a high bank and then descends slightly to the edge of the stream flowing down from the notch. The trail follows the north side of the stream up the valley, alternately close beside the water and higher up on the slope. At 2.4 mi., Bunnell Notch Trail bears right at an arrow and climbs into Bunnell Notch, reaching the height-of-land at 2.8 mi. After a slight dip, Kilkenny Ridge Trail leaves on the left (south) for Terrace Mtn. and continues ahead (west) for Mt. Cabot.

"Kilkenny Ridge Trail" form White Mountain Guide, 31st Ed. (2022)

WMNF Kilkenny Ridge Trail is a ridge-crest trail that runs across the Pilot and Pliny ranges from South Pond Recreation Area off NH 110 to the summit of Mt. Waumbek. This trail, opened in the 1980s, was designed primarily to provide an extended route for backpackers interested in avoiding crowds of day-hikers. Except for the section south of the summit of Mt. Cabot, use of Kilkenny Ridge Trail is generally light. The trail has mostly easy to moderate grades and reaches several excellent viewpoints - notably The Horn and Rogers Ledge - but has long stretches of woods walking that are pleasant but lacking in significant views. The trail is blazed in yellow, but many of the blazes may be faded; in recent years yellow plastic blazes have been placed along parts of the trail. Some sections of the trail may be overgrown and obstructed by blowdowns, and in summer the footing may be obscured by ferns and other undergrowth. In general, hikers should expect a wilderness experience on Kilkenny Ridge Trail.

        [...]. The trail descends to the pond at 6.8 mi., where it meets Unknown Pond Trail. (For Unknown Pond Tentside, follow Unknown Pond Trail 75 yd. left to a 100-yd. side path on the left; other than at the tentside, camping is not allowed within 0.25 mi. of the pond.)

        Kilkenny Ridge Trail turns right and coincides with Unknown Pond Trail for 100 yd. (avoid marked revegetation areas along the shore), soon passing a side path that descends 20 yd. left to a beautiful view of The Horn from the shore of the pond. Kilkelly Ridge Trail then turns left at the northwest corner of the pond (as Unknown Pond Trail continues ahead) and runs around the north shore, passing another side path on the left. Kilkenny Ridge Trail descends to a wet sag, ascends moderately and swings west and then south around the end of the ridge. At this point, the trail begins the climb up the northwest slope of The Horn, with rocky footing, to the sag between The Bulge and The Horn at 8.5 mi. Here, a side path (sign) climbs to the left (east) 0.3 mi. and 250 ft. to the open rocks of The Horn, affording magnificent views. The upper part of the side path has several ledge scrambles, including a fairly difficult one to reach the summit ledge; an easier path leads left around the back side of the ledge. Kilkenny Ridge Trail bears right (southwest) and ascends to the wooded summit of The Bulge at 8.7 mi., drops to the next sadly, and makes a fairly steep and rough climb to a point near the true summit of Mt. Cabot at 9.6 mi. (The high point is on a side path 30 yd. to the right.)

        Kilkenny Ridge Trail turns left (southeast), immediately passing a trail sign and then a side path that leads 30 yd. right to a restricted view west. The main trail descends past an obscure, overgrown side path on the left (cairn) that drops steeply for 250 yd. to an unreliable spring. Kilkenny Ridge Trail passes through a sag and at 10.0 mi., after a short ascent, crosses the viewpoint - a former fire tower site - at the lower but more open summit of Mt. Cabot, with views northeast and southwest. (In the near future, WMNF plans to construct a wooden helipad platform at the viewpoint to service a radio repeater on the true summit.) The trail descends past the cabin (renovated by USFS in 2021) on the right just below the viewpoint; from this clearing there are views west. It then descends moderately by switchbacks and passes the fine outlook from Bunnell Rock on the left (sign: “View”) at 10.6 mi. as it makes a great, curving 180-degree turn to the right. Kilkenny Ridge Trail turn turns sharply left and, at 11.0 mi., turns left again where the unmaintained Mt. Cabot Trail (closed by a landowner in the trail’s lower section) continue ahead.

        Kilkenny Ridge Trail runs southeast, descending slightly, then ascending gradually, and at 11.3 mi., it turns left and ascends another 0.1 mi. to a jct. with Bunnell Notch Trail, which continues ahead (east) toward York Pond Rd. [...].

"Unknown Pond Trail" from White Mountain Guide, 31st Ed. (2022)

WMNF This trail, sparsely blazed in yellow, connects York Pond Rd. with Mill Brook Rd. near the village of Stark, passing beautiful Unknown Pond and crossing Kilkenny Ridge Trail. The south terminus is on York Pond Rd., 2.0 mi. west of the fish hatchery gate (sign) at a recently expanded parking area (plowed in winter) on the right just beyond a small pond (see the warning under Road Access, p. 605, concerning the gate at the fish hatchery, closed 4 P.M. to 8 A.M.). The north terminus is on gravel Mill Brook Rd. (FR 11), 4.5 mi. south of NH 110. Watch for a sign (hiker symbol) on NH 110 at the beginning of Mill Brook Rd., which is 0.4 mi. east of the covered bridge in Stark and 3.0 mi. west of South Pond Rd.; there is a trail sign at the trailhead, which is just east of a bridge across Mill Brook. Limited parking is available beyond the bridge on the right; additional parking is available at the end of the road 250 yd. beyond (to the west, then north).

        Leaving the parking area in a logging yard clearing off York Pond Rd., Unknown Pond Trail reaches an old railroad grade at 1.0 mi. and turns left onto it. At 0.4 mi., the trail turns right off the grade and continues nearly level for another 0.2 mi. (In 2021, part of a brook was running down the trail near th end of this section, necessitating a short bushwhack to the right. The USFS plans to address this with stepping-stones and short relocations in 2022.) The trail now climbs northwest at easy to moderate grades up the attractive valley of the brook that drains Unknown Pond, with several muddy sections. At 1.9 mi., the trail crosses the main brook and a tributary, then recrosses the main brook at 2.1 mi. At about 2.5 mi., the trail begins a steeper ascent to Unknown Pond, passing through birch woods with luxuriant undergrowth (where the trail may be difficult to follow) and becoming rocky at times. At 3.1 mi., near the top of the climb, Unknown Pond Trail passes an open, meadow-like glade on the left with partial views of The Horn, North Weeks Mtn., and the Presidential Range. At 3.3 mi., near the northeast corner of Unknown Pond, a 100-yd. side path on the right ascends to Unknown Pond Tentsite; other than the five tent pads here, camping is not allowed within 0.25 mi. of the pond.

        In another 75 yd., Kilkenny Ridge Trail enters from the right (east) and coincides with Unknown Pond Trail for 100 yd. A few steps beyond this jct., a side path descends 20 yd. left to a beautiful view of The Horn rising above the pond (avoiding the marked revegetation areas between the trail and the pond). The coinciding trails swing west around the pond, and at the northwest corner of the pond, Kilkenny Ridge Trail leaves left (west) toward The Horn and Mt. Cabot. […].

"New Hampshire Fish Hatcheries" by New Hampshire Fish and Game Department

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is undertaking a project to modernize its hatchery system. The oldest facilities (4 of them) are over 100 years old and the newest is just over 50 years old. See details on the Hatchery Modernization Project.

        The NH Fish and Game Department uses fish culture (raising fish in a controlled environment) and stocking as a strategy to achieve two goals: To ensure that New Hampshire has abundant species of trout and salmon at sustainable levels. To ensure that New Hampshire has trout and salmon populations that support the desired levels of fishing.

        The mission of the fish hatchery system is to produce fish of the right species, size, and timing to fill the gaps in the natural ecosystem to contribute to management goals for a wide variety of users and restoration of self-sustaining native fish populations. Fisheries managers use cultured fish as a tool to achieve desired fisheries or restore self-sustaining fish populations, which would not otherwise be possible for various reasons. Fish culture is used only where needed to meet management goals and fish culturists strive to efficiently raise fish that best meet the needs of anglers and of fisheries management programs.

        The use of fish culture is vitally needed to achieve satisfactory trout and salmon fisheries in New Hampshire. Without hatcheries, it is estimated trout and salmon populations in New Hampshire waters would be depleted in approximately 3-5 years, due primarily to fishing pressure. This is because the capacity of New Hampshire's waters for trout production is about 10 pounds per acre, due to the granite substrate material and lack of fertility (some states have waters with more fertility and dissolved minerals capable of producing 300 pounds of trout per acre or greater). While there are relatively few fish species in New Hampshire that require the help of fish culture, they are among some of the most popular with anglers. They include brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and landlocked salmon.

        The Fish and Game Department currently stocks 1,473 miles of streams (approximately 13 percent of the state's 10,881 miles of rivers and streams) and 375 lakes and ponds (approximately 22 percent of the state's 1,708 lakes and ponds). To do this, we produce and distribute 200 or more tons of trout and salmon per year. The majority of our fish production, as measured by weight, consists of catchable size trout, which are used for put-and-take management. In comparison, the majority of our fish production, as measured by numbers, consists of fry or fingerling salmon or trout, which are used for restoration or put-grow-and-take management.

"Existing Conditions and Facility Evaluations - Berlin" by New Hampshrie Fish and Game Department (2023)

Berlin State Fish Hatchery (Berlin) is in the Kilkenny Valley in the White Mountain National Forest in Coos County, New Hampshire. The facility was originally constructed in 1921 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and was used as an egg taking station for brook trout. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFGD) took the facility over in 1982 and converted the facility to one of New Hampshire’s largest intensive coldwater rearing stations, which and produces over 74,000 pounds annually with 3-3.5 lbs per fish weight. Berlin is situated on a 365-acre site of which approximately 36-acres have been developed. The facility consists of groundwater and surface water supply; forty-nine (49) outdoor concrete raceways; a hatchery building with twenty-four (24) concrete raceways and forty-eight (48) aluminum rearing troughs; numerous support buildings; and three (3) occupied residences.

        Water used for production at Belin is a mixture of groundwater from two production wells (Well #1 and Well #2), several low volume artesian unpumped wells, and surface water from Cold Brook, the West Branch of Upper Ammonoosuc River, Third Brook, and Diversion Pond (fed by #9 Brook). These water sources and the rearing units they supply are shown on the facilities process flow diagram in Figure 1-5. Well #1 and #2 supply roughly 400-500 gpm, while Cold Brook supplies up to 1,400 gpm to the Hatchery Building, Young Raceways, and Foster’s Raceways. Each well is housed in a structure and well flow rates are measured via a weir located at the headend of Young’s Raceways. Well water is used Oct-May and to supplement low flows from Cold Brook in the summer (July-Sep) as needed. The West Branch of the Upper Ammonoosuc River supplies up to 2,838 gpm and along with Third Brook (seasonally in use to provide more water) discharge into B canal. Diversion Pond supplies up to 2,063 gpm to the West Branch Raceways.

        Berlin is authorized by its NPDES permit to discharge its hatchery effluent through Outfall Number 004, 005, 007, and 008 (shown in Figure 1-1) to Cold Brook, No. 9 Brook, West Branch of the Upper Ammonoosuc River, and York Pond, respectively. These are summarized in Table 1-1. Sampling and reporting requirements are different for each outfall. Currently, York Pond’s water quality is a concern and regulators are interested in exploring the feasibility of relocating this outfall to the West Branch Upper Ammonoosuc River at Berlin. The effective NPDES permit was issued in 2013 (Permit No. NH0000621).

        

"The Info on Mt. Cabot" by iagreewithjamie (https://www.vftt.org/threads/the-info-on-mt-cabot.50910/)

I hiked Mt Cabot as my #48 finish over Labor Day weekend. In hopes that I could bag this one using the entire Mt Cabot trail, I called up Paul Crane to ask his permission to use the trail. He is the landowner who closed the lower portion of the Mt Cabot trail. Since he was very candid with me on the phone, me being a total stranger, I'll assume that he would have no objection to me sharing this info with you.

        Crane owns a ton of land in NH and Maine. He has given hundreds of acres (both voluntarily and via imminent domain) for public access. For years, he had given a public right-of-way across his land to use the Mt Cabot trail. Crane is also a huge snowmobile enthusiast... somuchso that he owns and operates a snowmobile museum in Lancaster. This enthusiasm often leads Mr Crane into projects that involve constructing public snowmobile trails, even at his own personal expense.

        So here's where the clash between Crane and the AMC started, and why the trail is now closed. Mr. Crane wants to build a snowmobile trail through Willard Notch to York Pond. In order to do this, he needs permission from the organization that manages that particular area of the national forest... in this case, the AMC. He offered to give the AMC 4 miles of land so that they would fully own the Mt Cabot trail, as well as construct a parking lot at the trail head; in exchange, he wanted permission to build the snowmobile trail with his own funds, then donate it to the town. The AMC rejected his offer, and told him that the area in question was to be reserved for foot traffic and x-skiers. In response, he rejected the public right-of-way across his land, and closed the portion of the trail that goes over his land. There's been much debate on this board as to whether that's legal, but since the AMC hasn't chosen this as a battle they'd like to fight, the closing has been permanent for the last few years.

        The negotiation still continues. The AMC has offered Crane money for the land, but he is firm that the only way he'll yield on this issue is if he's allowed to build the Willard Notch snowmobile trail. Meanwhile, he thanked me for asking him for permission, but politely refused my access to the trail. He stated that if I used it, I'd post pictures and tell everyone how I went up, then everyone would be calling him. I couldn't argue with that - he's was correct in that regard. He mentioned that he monitors activity on that trail often, and doesn't hesitate to make unpleasant acquaintances with trespassers. One exception: every Easter, he allows the boy scouts to go up and mount a cross at the cabin.

        I found Mr Crane to be very reasonable, and actually pretty nice. I understand his position. He loves snowmobiles, and wants to make Willard Notch more multi-use so he can explore his love of snowmobiles there as well. It's not that he's closing the trail to be ornery, but rather, it's the best leverage he has to fight for something he believes in.

        I don't live in the area, nor do I hike in Willard Notch... so I don't really feel entitled to formulate an opinion on the matter. However, if access to the Mt Cabot trail is something you feel passionately about, you can always write to your chapter of the AMC to support Mr Crane's request for a snowmobile trail. Unfortunately, that seems to be the only compromise: Willard Notch will be multi-use and the Mt Cabot trail will be belong to the AMC... or the current standoff will continue.

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