Mount Cabot Update?

[thetrailboss]

I am going to be up in the Jefferson area next weekend and was seriously considering tackling Cabot, which I need to do for my list. The Cabot trail, i.e. the shortest and most direct route, was closed because of a landowner dispute :roll: Does anyone know if it has reopened or if the WMNF was able to negotiate something, or will I be forced to hike from the North?

My backup plan was to hike from Stark via the Horn and Unknown Pond. How is this trip? Is the Horn worth the stop?

 

[David Metsky]

Yes, it is still closed and unlikely to reopen any time soon. Although people still hike by that route the USFS asks that you don't so as not to further antagonize the landowner and possibly create friction with other landowners in the area. Keep in mind that the landowner at the trailhead is not the problem, so don't bother asking his permission since he's never had a problem.

The trip from the north is much nicer, IMO, and the Horn and the Bulge are worth the short side trips. Plus, they're both on the NEHH list. The pain is the longer drive.

-dave-

 

[Mark S]

Another good on-line resource for Cabot:

http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/154513/mount-cabot.html

 

[MtnMagic]

Sunday June 25: A hike to the summit of Mount Cabot via the traditional ( Mt Cabot Trail) trail. Meet by 9 am in Jefferson adjacent the Mt. Starr King Road (just South past the Old Corner Store) right on Route 2 in the big parking area beside the Waumbek Golf Course. Rte I-93 to exit 35, Route 3 North to Route 115, to Route 115A right on to Route 2. We will car-pool to the trailhead. A moderate hike of 7.8 miles, 2700', 6 hours 30 minutes. This hike will definitely be my very last visit to this mountain for several years.

The horn is worth every step of the hike!

Kindly let me know if you wish to join us tomorrow!!

 

[thetrailboss]

Sunday June 25: A hike to the summit of Mount Cabot via the traditional ( Mt Cabot Trail) trail. Meet by 9 am in Jefferson adjacent the Mt. Starr King Road (just South past the Old Corner Store) right on Route 2 in the big parking area beside the Waumbek Golf Course. Rte I-93 to exit 35, Route 3 North to Route 115, to Route 115A right on to Route 2. We will car-pool to the trailhead. A moderate hike of 7.8 miles, 2700', 6 hours 30 minutes. This hike will definitely be my very last visit to this mountain for several years.

The horn is worth every step of the hike!

Kindly let me know if you wish to join us tomorrow!!

So the trail is open? Limited access? :blink:

I've heard good things about the Horn, but that is a haul from Unknown Pond...

 

[David Metsky]

So the trail is open? Limited access? :blink:

No, the trail is not open. The WMNF has officially closed the trail. They stongly ask people not to hike on it (the right-of-way may still be legally valid, it's a point of some contention) because doing so may antagonize other landowners who currently allow access.

As you can see, some people (Hi Mtn Magic ) still plan trips up there, but I would encourage them and you not to do so. Trail access through private land is a very contentious issue in the northeast and it would be best not to piss off other land owners who control the right to access many trails. You may not realize how many trails in the Whites start or pass through private land. We rely on good relations with the landowner community to retain these access rights.

-dave-

 

[Mike P.]

Dave is right, the trail is closed & should not be used.

While the drive is longer, I can tell you the trail from the north is much more scenic & goes right by the spur for the Horn, which by far is the best "big" peak in the area with awesome views. (Roger's ledge on the Kilkenny is supposed to be nice too)

I did the Mt. Cabot trail back in 1998 when it was still open & it's boring has few switchnacks so it's quite eroded & wide. It's not all that easy to get to either, easier than the other approaches but this is not like getting to the OBP from Boston or CT.

 

[ga2ski]

I'd have to agree the Mt. Cabot trail is pretty boring. I have nevre hiked the horn, but it sounds much more fun. Maybe I'll try that direnction on my next go around of the 4000-footers. I have to finish them once first.

 

[MtnMagic]

Driving down Mill Brook Road and hiking the Unknown Pond Trail to the Pond and to the Horn and Bulge via Kilkenny Ridge Trail is probably the finest way to hike to the summit. Just because I know the landowner and receive permission from him to park in his door yard, now that I've lived in town entering my 23rd year, the trail is still officially closed. Paul is a moody guy who usually lets me park on his property and hike the closed trail. He does not want others to trespass on his land and has been known to oversee the trail that crosses his property, and with good cause.