KRobi
New member
Mill Brook Rd. is in excellent shape. Plenty of parking at the end for 6-8 cars. Room around Unknown Pond Trailhead for a couple or on the road.
We did Hutchins first. Went basically west from the parking lot through the logged area (found a "trail" on the way out that starts just down the road from the parking lot which was easier way in and out). We were following an old trip report. Most approach from the Jefferson side and Lost Nation Road. We wanted to get both peaks so this seemed quicker. As the old trip report stated, the woods were EXCELLENT. An easy bushwhack is one where I only draw a little blood, or get a few branches slapping me or any other assorted minor injuries. This was so open that NONE of those happened.
We had one water crossing of West Branch of Mill Brook which is running well, but had numerous logs across it. Wide open hardwoods almost all the way. It has a real steep section but it is so open that its just a climb. Beautiful birch glades on the ridge.
When the woods got a bit thicker (spruce and blowdowns) the moose have made herd paths that are better than many trails. Only real thick stuff was at very top and people herd paths led the way. Even has some views. We blew it coming down and followed the wrong people path which was thick and scrappy. Corrected to our route up and all was good.
Headed down to Unknown Pond Trail (Mill Brook Rd side) and headed up. UPT is wet and muddy at the bottom. Some areas have bypasses as the trail is thick mud. Gets better higher up. A few blowdowns that you can step over. Kilkenny Ridge from the junction is great. Hit the woods again (very open with herd paths) and got UPP. Got back to car before dark and before rain. Great day out.
KRobi
Ken and Karen
We did Hutchins first. Went basically west from the parking lot through the logged area (found a "trail" on the way out that starts just down the road from the parking lot which was easier way in and out). We were following an old trip report. Most approach from the Jefferson side and Lost Nation Road. We wanted to get both peaks so this seemed quicker. As the old trip report stated, the woods were EXCELLENT. An easy bushwhack is one where I only draw a little blood, or get a few branches slapping me or any other assorted minor injuries. This was so open that NONE of those happened.
We had one water crossing of West Branch of Mill Brook which is running well, but had numerous logs across it. Wide open hardwoods almost all the way. It has a real steep section but it is so open that its just a climb. Beautiful birch glades on the ridge.
When the woods got a bit thicker (spruce and blowdowns) the moose have made herd paths that are better than many trails. Only real thick stuff was at very top and people herd paths led the way. Even has some views. We blew it coming down and followed the wrong people path which was thick and scrappy. Corrected to our route up and all was good.
Headed down to Unknown Pond Trail (Mill Brook Rd side) and headed up. UPT is wet and muddy at the bottom. Some areas have bypasses as the trail is thick mud. Gets better higher up. A few blowdowns that you can step over. Kilkenny Ridge from the junction is great. Hit the woods again (very open with herd paths) and got UPP. Got back to car before dark and before rain. Great day out.
KRobi
Ken and Karen
