una_dogger
Well-known member
The Weeks, The Weeks Again
, Terrace, Cabot, the Bulge and The Horn:
While planning my long weekend, I wanted to make my big mileage day in the Kilkenny Range. Since I was most likely hiking solo, I had planned to start by hiking in through Unknown Pond, and picking up the Kilkenny Ridge Trail and taking it over The Horn, Bulge, Cabot, Terrace, the Weeks; and then doubling back over Middle and North Weeks and returning via the York Pond Trail. I had mentioned my plans to Rocket21 as well as Dave Bear. I think that Rocket thought I might be a little nuts, but being the nice person he was, he just made me feel guilty about bailing on him on a Bonds Traverse that weekend.
Then on my way from Nancy over to my campsite in Gorham, I heard from Dave Bear that he was up for hiking with me saturday in The Weeks. So, happy for the company, I switched up my plans and decided to meet him at the York Pond TH. We'd hike the Weeks together, then I'd make a decision point to go on or to head out.
At five am I got a text from Rocket21 --he was happy to hear that I had decided to switch up my plans because he needed the Weeks, too. So we made plans to all hike together, with Rocket catching up to us on the way out.
I had hoped to start about 6:30 am, but the Hatchery doesn't open their gates until 7am. I saw a large moose on my drive in. I pulled into the TrailHead at the same time as Dave and we geared up for the day. Funny thing, Old Man pulled in shortly afterward.
The York Pond Trail is an extremely beautiful trail. I really enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, and spring is about a month behind Massachusetts in the North Country.
Rocket21 caught up to us just below Willard Notch. We turned onto the Kilkenny Ridge Trail and headed up to The Weeks. I really love the Kilkenny Ridge, its just my kinda woods. A green, quiet path through the woods. For some, its the drama of above treeline that inspires them, but for me, its a walk in quiet green woods and the thrill of breaking out onto an outlook from time to time.
Onward we walked and talked, over North, Middle and finally arrived at South Weeks. The AMC Guide describes an orange cannister on a blowdown infested summit. Yippee! I couldn't wait to find it, but alas..it is no more.
Dave decided to head down a bit ahead of us, and Rocket and I hung out for a bit, then headed back down towards Middle Weeks. We thought we'd catch right up to Dave Bear, but reached Middle and hadn't seen him. We called out once...OK, I called out about three times, each time stating it would be the last...and then finally, Dave Bear called back -- we met him on the reclimb of North. I was thoroughly impressed that Dave had trekked so quickly, but then I saw he was dragging an anchor that no doubt helped him on the downhills.
At the Kilkenny/York Pond junction, Dave decided to head down. At this point, I wasn't sure if I'd continue on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail or head back and head out to the Horn and Bulge via the Unknown Pond Trail. Rocket21 had told me alot about Terrace Mountain, stories he'd heard from Steve Smith and we both really wanted to go there, so we decided we'd climb Terrace, and make a decision regarding the rest of the Kilkenny Range when we reached Bunnell Notch.
We said our goodbyes to Dave Bear. For those who haven't had the pleasure, Dave is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He's a big sweetheart -- he's got a great ear for listening as well as a bucket full of great stories to tell.
Terrace Mntn is a 950 foot climb out of Willard Notch, but it passes through such beautiful country that I hardly felt the climb. The trail is so lightly used that is a faint ribbon of brown meandering through beautiful stands of white birch.
A short herdpath leads 1/10 of a mile to the South Summit. Here, we flushed a moose that was on the trail, and she hurried into these tight woods on the narrow summit.
Rocket21 has more experience with moose than I, so we decided I'd stay at the jct with Terra on leash while he went ahead. The concern was crowding or cornering the moose. A few minutes later, he returned, and took hold of Terra's leash so I could check out the summit. I hurried out, talking out loud to let her know of my prescence. Reached the summit and turned back. About 1/2 way back I heard loud rustling off the side of the trail, and there was the moose, scratching her neck on a dead tree! Pretty exciting!
The rest of Terrace Mountain looks pretty much like this; wild and ragged, a bit rough around the edges, and very quiet. Its a special place and one I hope to return to again and again.
We thought of a cool new name for it, actually...
Decisions, decisions....
We decided to complete the range! Woo hoo! I was soooo happy ! I would have been just fine heading down Bunnell Notch, knowing full well that I intend to return to the Kilkenny's; but its even better to be hiking with someone who at 4:30 pm with 12 miles under their belt who is given the choice of nine more miles and three more peaks or 3 miles and no peaks -- goes with the nine more miles choice! Woo hoo! Its good to know ya, Rocket!
The climb up Cabot from Bunnell is a long slog at any time of day. We both knew this would be the toughest part. But we made good time, and arrived on the summit a little over an hour later. I made sure to follow Roy's advice and go to the true summit this time around.
The cabin is quiet tonight
Three more miles of peaceful woods brought us over the Bulge and to the Spur for the Horn. A quick climb up and we arrived at 7pm, just as the long shadows were forming in the mountains. A magical time of day.
The last five miles were spent quietly chatting about all manner of things. We arrived an Unknown Pond about 8:15 pm, just as the sun was setting. We saw another moose on the far side of the pond. For the day, the sightings ratio was even; 3 people:3 moose.
The Unknown Pond trail is a little slice of heaven. Babbling brooks and white birch glades frame the trail. Just after dark, we crossed a brook and then headed out the final 1.5 miles on a woods road. Along the way, Rocket noticed some fairly recent wet boot prints on some rocks heading toward the pond, which was strange, because we hadn't passed anyone. I remarked that it might be Dave Bear, headed out to walk the final mile with us, because he's just that type of guy.
We reached our cars at 10:15; 14 hours and 45 minutes from the start. I had estimated the total hike would take me 14 hours, so I was pretty happy with the turnout. Driving out, I got a call from Dave Bear. It was, indeed, the prints of a Bear that we saw. Dave had not only come in to walk us out, but he had brought along water; and when he didn't meet up with us, he'd driven around to the Mill Pond trailhead, a shorter walk out that we'd looked at on the map earlier in the day. We met up with Dave at Mr Pizza in Gorham, where I had poutine for the first time. YUM!
Back to the campground for a hot shower and some zzz's before tommorrow's final hike. Today marked NEHH peaks number 90,91,92 and 93. Final calculations will be forthcoming, but we estimate the whole hike to be 22 miles and 7600 feet of gain.
A special thanks to Dave Bear and Rocket21 for making this day such a memorable one for me. What had been planned as a solo hike quite serendipitously ended up being a shared experience with two very open and positive people. I can't think of a better way to spend the day. i hope you guys add some of your pictures and thoughts to this report.
Oh yes, and a big hug to little Terra who trekked the whole day at our sides, always on the lookout up ahead; making sure her flock is safe.
Part III....upcoming....
, Terrace, Cabot, the Bulge and The Horn:While planning my long weekend, I wanted to make my big mileage day in the Kilkenny Range. Since I was most likely hiking solo, I had planned to start by hiking in through Unknown Pond, and picking up the Kilkenny Ridge Trail and taking it over The Horn, Bulge, Cabot, Terrace, the Weeks; and then doubling back over Middle and North Weeks and returning via the York Pond Trail. I had mentioned my plans to Rocket21 as well as Dave Bear. I think that Rocket thought I might be a little nuts, but being the nice person he was, he just made me feel guilty about bailing on him on a Bonds Traverse that weekend.
Then on my way from Nancy over to my campsite in Gorham, I heard from Dave Bear that he was up for hiking with me saturday in The Weeks. So, happy for the company, I switched up my plans and decided to meet him at the York Pond TH. We'd hike the Weeks together, then I'd make a decision point to go on or to head out.
At five am I got a text from Rocket21 --he was happy to hear that I had decided to switch up my plans because he needed the Weeks, too. So we made plans to all hike together, with Rocket catching up to us on the way out.
I had hoped to start about 6:30 am, but the Hatchery doesn't open their gates until 7am. I saw a large moose on my drive in. I pulled into the TrailHead at the same time as Dave and we geared up for the day. Funny thing, Old Man pulled in shortly afterward.
The York Pond Trail is an extremely beautiful trail. I really enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, and spring is about a month behind Massachusetts in the North Country.
Rocket21 caught up to us just below Willard Notch. We turned onto the Kilkenny Ridge Trail and headed up to The Weeks. I really love the Kilkenny Ridge, its just my kinda woods. A green, quiet path through the woods. For some, its the drama of above treeline that inspires them, but for me, its a walk in quiet green woods and the thrill of breaking out onto an outlook from time to time.
Onward we walked and talked, over North, Middle and finally arrived at South Weeks. The AMC Guide describes an orange cannister on a blowdown infested summit. Yippee! I couldn't wait to find it, but alas..it is no more.
Dave decided to head down a bit ahead of us, and Rocket and I hung out for a bit, then headed back down towards Middle Weeks. We thought we'd catch right up to Dave Bear, but reached Middle and hadn't seen him. We called out once...OK, I called out about three times, each time stating it would be the last...and then finally, Dave Bear called back -- we met him on the reclimb of North. I was thoroughly impressed that Dave had trekked so quickly, but then I saw he was dragging an anchor that no doubt helped him on the downhills.
At the Kilkenny/York Pond junction, Dave decided to head down. At this point, I wasn't sure if I'd continue on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail or head back and head out to the Horn and Bulge via the Unknown Pond Trail. Rocket21 had told me alot about Terrace Mountain, stories he'd heard from Steve Smith and we both really wanted to go there, so we decided we'd climb Terrace, and make a decision regarding the rest of the Kilkenny Range when we reached Bunnell Notch.
We said our goodbyes to Dave Bear. For those who haven't had the pleasure, Dave is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He's a big sweetheart -- he's got a great ear for listening as well as a bucket full of great stories to tell.
Terrace Mntn is a 950 foot climb out of Willard Notch, but it passes through such beautiful country that I hardly felt the climb. The trail is so lightly used that is a faint ribbon of brown meandering through beautiful stands of white birch.
A short herdpath leads 1/10 of a mile to the South Summit. Here, we flushed a moose that was on the trail, and she hurried into these tight woods on the narrow summit.
Rocket21 has more experience with moose than I, so we decided I'd stay at the jct with Terra on leash while he went ahead. The concern was crowding or cornering the moose. A few minutes later, he returned, and took hold of Terra's leash so I could check out the summit. I hurried out, talking out loud to let her know of my prescence. Reached the summit and turned back. About 1/2 way back I heard loud rustling off the side of the trail, and there was the moose, scratching her neck on a dead tree! Pretty exciting!
The rest of Terrace Mountain looks pretty much like this; wild and ragged, a bit rough around the edges, and very quiet. Its a special place and one I hope to return to again and again.
We thought of a cool new name for it, actually...
Decisions, decisions....
We decided to complete the range! Woo hoo! I was soooo happy ! I would have been just fine heading down Bunnell Notch, knowing full well that I intend to return to the Kilkenny's; but its even better to be hiking with someone who at 4:30 pm with 12 miles under their belt who is given the choice of nine more miles and three more peaks or 3 miles and no peaks -- goes with the nine more miles choice! Woo hoo! Its good to know ya, Rocket!
The climb up Cabot from Bunnell is a long slog at any time of day. We both knew this would be the toughest part. But we made good time, and arrived on the summit a little over an hour later. I made sure to follow Roy's advice and go to the true summit this time around.
The cabin is quiet tonight
Three more miles of peaceful woods brought us over the Bulge and to the Spur for the Horn. A quick climb up and we arrived at 7pm, just as the long shadows were forming in the mountains. A magical time of day.
The last five miles were spent quietly chatting about all manner of things. We arrived an Unknown Pond about 8:15 pm, just as the sun was setting. We saw another moose on the far side of the pond. For the day, the sightings ratio was even; 3 people:3 moose.
The Unknown Pond trail is a little slice of heaven. Babbling brooks and white birch glades frame the trail. Just after dark, we crossed a brook and then headed out the final 1.5 miles on a woods road. Along the way, Rocket noticed some fairly recent wet boot prints on some rocks heading toward the pond, which was strange, because we hadn't passed anyone. I remarked that it might be Dave Bear, headed out to walk the final mile with us, because he's just that type of guy.
We reached our cars at 10:15; 14 hours and 45 minutes from the start. I had estimated the total hike would take me 14 hours, so I was pretty happy with the turnout. Driving out, I got a call from Dave Bear. It was, indeed, the prints of a Bear that we saw. Dave had not only come in to walk us out, but he had brought along water; and when he didn't meet up with us, he'd driven around to the Mill Pond trailhead, a shorter walk out that we'd looked at on the map earlier in the day. We met up with Dave at Mr Pizza in Gorham, where I had poutine for the first time. YUM!
Back to the campground for a hot shower and some zzz's before tommorrow's final hike. Today marked NEHH peaks number 90,91,92 and 93. Final calculations will be forthcoming, but we estimate the whole hike to be 22 miles and 7600 feet of gain.
A special thanks to Dave Bear and Rocket21 for making this day such a memorable one for me. What had been planned as a solo hike quite serendipitously ended up being a shared experience with two very open and positive people. I can't think of a better way to spend the day. i hope you guys add some of your pictures and thoughts to this report.
Oh yes, and a big hug to little Terra who trekked the whole day at our sides, always on the lookout up ahead; making sure her flock is safe.
Part III....upcoming....
Last edited:
