bryan
New member
date: 5/19/13
trails: unknown pond trail, kilkenny ridge trail, horn spur, bushwack, unofficial trail, bushwack
conditions: mill brook road is in fine shape. parking, as always, is limited right near the trailhead. some mud on unknown pond trail, but mostly pretty dry up to the pond. same on kilkenny ridge with a couple small patches of snow that are totally avoidable. spur path to the horn in good shape too. we bushwacked pretty much directly off the bulge onto the pilot ridge through nice open woods with moose paths galore over a number of intermediate bumps to the summit of mary where we picked up the unofficial trail that comes up from the lost nation side. we followed this down to the col with middle and a short distance beyond before peeling off and bushwacking up to the summit of middle pilot. woods remained good with an evident herd/moose path higher up. the good woods continued up to west and down towards hutchins. this was the only place we had to step in snow all day where a decent patch remains in the col. intially we headed right towards hutchins dropping elevation off the ridge, but then hit an amazing moose path that brought us back onto the ridge and we stuck with the ridgeline the rest of the way. woods got scrappier in the last .5 or so, but never too bad (though pretty interesting with two moose sheds strapped to my pack...). from the summit of hutchins we immediately dropped north until we reached better woods then turned to the east down the drainage back to mill brook road popping out in the clearcut right at the end of the road. numerous moose paths and old roads helped out along the way.
equipment: nothing in particular.
comments: awesome day. we decided to take in the horn and bulge before tackling the pilot ridge and i am glad we did as it was a perfect day to spend a few minutes up on the horn. the moose sign along pilot ridge was endless. a bit muggy, but decent temps and bugs aren't out in force up there yet. was cursing myself at times for trying to lug out two moose antlers, but i had never collected any sheds before and they were too nice to leave behind. a big thanks to jeremy for a great hike.
bryan
[email protected]
trails: unknown pond trail, kilkenny ridge trail, horn spur, bushwack, unofficial trail, bushwack
conditions: mill brook road is in fine shape. parking, as always, is limited right near the trailhead. some mud on unknown pond trail, but mostly pretty dry up to the pond. same on kilkenny ridge with a couple small patches of snow that are totally avoidable. spur path to the horn in good shape too. we bushwacked pretty much directly off the bulge onto the pilot ridge through nice open woods with moose paths galore over a number of intermediate bumps to the summit of mary where we picked up the unofficial trail that comes up from the lost nation side. we followed this down to the col with middle and a short distance beyond before peeling off and bushwacking up to the summit of middle pilot. woods remained good with an evident herd/moose path higher up. the good woods continued up to west and down towards hutchins. this was the only place we had to step in snow all day where a decent patch remains in the col. intially we headed right towards hutchins dropping elevation off the ridge, but then hit an amazing moose path that brought us back onto the ridge and we stuck with the ridgeline the rest of the way. woods got scrappier in the last .5 or so, but never too bad (though pretty interesting with two moose sheds strapped to my pack...). from the summit of hutchins we immediately dropped north until we reached better woods then turned to the east down the drainage back to mill brook road popping out in the clearcut right at the end of the road. numerous moose paths and old roads helped out along the way.
equipment: nothing in particular.
comments: awesome day. we decided to take in the horn and bulge before tackling the pilot ridge and i am glad we did as it was a perfect day to spend a few minutes up on the horn. the moose sign along pilot ridge was endless. a bit muggy, but decent temps and bugs aren't out in force up there yet. was cursing myself at times for trying to lug out two moose antlers, but i had never collected any sheds before and they were too nice to leave behind. a big thanks to jeremy for a great hike.
bryan
[email protected]
