Unknown Pond & Kilkenney Ridge Trails
10.6 miles roundtrip; trailhead off millbrook rd Stark, NH
Hiked three mountains in the northcountry last weekend, slept at Cabot Cabin!
Great times with good friends, 4 of us travelled north to Stark,NH Saturday morning, using the unknown pond trailhead on millbrook road (just before the 2nd bridge). Moderate grades to unknown pond, nothing too strenuous but the elevation was constant that entire 1st day up to Mt Cabot. With a slight drizzle all day we didn't linger at the pond, after a quick snack we started our ascended The Horn. An awesome peak I plan on returning to, thick fogg prevented us from enjoying what should be 360 views of the surrounding countryside.
After a quick trek down the spur path we were on our way up to the Bulge, a wooded peak between the Horn & Cabot. As we found the clearing and cairn at the top indicating the summit, it actually started snowing! We all hoped for an empty cabin (or hot chicks) and the snow/hail pushed us down then up the final elevation to Cabot.
Once we found the summit of Cabot I was just nervous about how many more steps that cabin was, which wasn't many thankfully. A friend had overpacked and need to unload, I had the space, but some "on the fly" pack shuffling had left me off kilter and tired for most of the afternoon. My own fault, rushing myself I guess.The second day was much better on my shoulders, only because the strap on my bag broke and I replaced it with a rope rig, Macgyver style.
Cabot Cabin is probably great in the summer, not really a warm place last weekend. We all shifted around when a few late night hikers and a puppy showed, but plenty of space for maybe 8, 10 if people sleep in the kitchen. There was a tent platform near the outdoor firepit for overflow, an outhouse and a rainwater catch. A sign for a nearby spring led us too far downhill I thought to be worth it, the eventual ascent was not ideal so bring your own water in or treat the rainwater bucket (gross).
