 
|
|
Logs Adventure Log Old Trip Reports Old Reports Pin Maps Pin Map Galleries Best Pictures Gallery Lists All Lists Future Hikes Whatever Home |
Weeks - Terrace - Cabot - Bulge - Horn Loop 1/13&14/07
This is my first Multiday (and probably only) of the Winter. A 20 mile loop which hits 5 NE100 peaks (one is a NH48), (In order of peaks bagged: N Weeks, S Weeks, Cabot (NH48), Bulge, Horn) as well as several other smaller peaks on other lists (7 Y list peaks). (Middle weeks, Terrace). I started the hike at about 8:00. York pond road was -awful- All ice! I started up York Pond trail where I saw 2 Moose looking at me in the opening where Bunnell Notch Trail breaks off. I proceeded up the trail which has very easy grades -- Turns out this was an old logging rail grade! (some rail ties were still visible). I reached Willard notch at 2700 feet where I met the "oh my god they.." Kilkenny trail junction. I ditched my 25 LB backpack here and hiked the 6 mile RT Weeks traverse. Have you ever tried jumping after you got off a trampoline? that how I felt when I tried walking after I took off my backpack. The weeks had -really easy- grades and the round trip netted a lot of vertical (nearly 3000 ft). South weeks had some of the most eerie trees I have ever seen. All 3 peaks were socked in with clouds so I got no views until the descent of North Weeks! After I finished the viewless weeks in and out I put back on my backpack and started the moderate grade but grueling climb up to the Terrace peaks. This section of the Kilkenny trail is poorly marked and was hard to follow at many spots (thanks to the snow and lack of tracks) It doesnt seem like this section is heavily traveled. I soaked up some views on Terrace south and proceeded over the other minor peaks to Bunnell Notch. Views were limited but were still welcomed! Bunnell Notch was nothing new to me, as I had been here in late October. The ascent up Cabot was far less demoralizing than the last time I hiked it -- mainly cause I knew what I was up against :) The views were spectacular from the trail too and snow depth was beginning to accumulate as I approached the cabin. I reached the cabin and saw lots of people buzzing around. Turns out there were 7 guys from Cape Cod staying at the cabin (capacity 8) so lucky me I got a spot to sleep! The Cape Codders were good company and made the night far less boring and far warmer (they had some propane stoves, not to mention body heat) At one point while we werea ll melting snow and cooking dinner the cabin temp reached 40 degrees (outside temp was about 15 less). I went to bed at 7:00pm and woke up at 7:00am (don't be fooled I woke up a lot at night!) I kept warm despite the outside temperature hovering around 0F. When I woke up the inside temperature was 17 degrees (hate to think what it was outside). I heated up some water and bid my hiker friends goodbye and hit the trail to Cabot summit. When I left there was about 1-2 inches of new snow and it was still coming down. Cabot summit was nothing new to me. About the same amount of snow as October, but I was dry and warm unlike last time, also I got my thumbs up pic this time! I proceeded Northward to the Bulge which was a cakewalk ascent, then to the Horn. Because the Horn was on a spur I was lucky enough to not have to bring my backpack with me! The summit of the Horn was a nightmare! Windy, Icy and rocky! The summit is on a big rock which took me a while to figure out how to even climb (lots of ice!) Visibility was about 1/2 mile. When I returned to my bag it was caked in snow. The snow was coming down pretty hard, some places had as much as 6 inches, but most of the trail was 2 or 3 inches of powdery delight! I reached Unknown pond which had a nice, very white view of The Horn. I proceeded down Unknown Pond trail which was virtually untraceable at points. Lower altitudes had LOTS of Mud traps, one which ate about 8 inches of my leg. Finally the end was in sight, I reached a flat straight away which was built on top of another historic logging rail grade. When I finally reached my car The other hikers from the cabin had just arrived! What a pleasant surprise! We exchanged pleasantries as we cleaned off our cars. Finally I took off down the icy nightmare called York Pond road (I made it out alive!) This was a great hike! If you are working on the NE100 and need to get these peaks I highly suggest this route (maybe not in the winter though!) Click Here for the Hike Map
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
