Also on this trip

Trails Used

Unknown Pond Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur

Trail Conditions

Notes

So we're all just continuing to act like The Horn and The Bulge shouldn't have a cult following because they were named 150 years ago and now are Trailer Park Boys level slang for...you know? Ok, I'll go along with it for now. Trail is in great shape. Chatted with a couple of fun hikers and ran into gridders John and Mel for the second time this year. Also had 10 very enjoyable minutes sitting on The Horn by myself in the sun.

Parking

3 cars on Mill Brook Rd all day. 4-5 more spots available.

Water Crossings

None to worry about

Trails Used

Unknown Pond Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur

Trail Conditions

Notes

Enjoyable hike to The Horn and back with a stop along the way at Unknown Pond. The Unknown Pond Trail had a few muddy portions but they were quite manageable. Trip planning was helped by the website summitsmarts.com. Took Unknown Pond Trail from southern trailhead off York Pond Rd to Kilkenny Ridge Trail which intersects at Unknown Pond (the actual pond). Then took that close to the top of The Horn where you pick up a short spur trail. Getting to the very top - on the boulder - of The Horn requires a little recon, but was part of the fun. Views from the top were very nice.

Parking

Plenty of parking on this weekday at Unknown Pond Trailhead

Water Crossings

The few stream crossings were easily rock hoppable

Wildlife

No issues

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Road walk, Southside Trail, Mount Abraham spur trail, Appalachain Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Well I went out for a 2 day backpack to grab some miles on the AT and I wanted a different way up Abraham. The southside was very easy to follow and was a beautiful way up Abraham! I saw no one until the AT at about 9:30 or even later. I was unsure where I was going to decide on to sleep so I kept going until I got tired... I got tired right around going up the Horn! A big day of vert and if I did not have an overnight pack on I could have done it in a day but it was nice to sleep out in the woods. There were about 50 thru hikers/backpackers that passed me going North. I slept down at the lake and there were 3 others there. A moose walked right by my tent overnight and thankfully I did the saddlebacks the day I did it because it was in a cloudy and rain they following day.

Parking

The road up to southside trail is one that will take almost an hour and need some clearance or some good driving.

Water Crossings

no issues

Wildlife

none

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Unknown Pond (northern), Kilkenny Ridge

Trail Conditions

Notes

A very nice alternative to the out and back route via Bunnell Notch. Beautiful woods walk up to Unknown Pond. Great views from the Horn except for clouds enveloping the Presidentials. The easiest way to summit the rock at the Horn appears to be to curve west and then north before heading back south to the summit. There are many herd paths in the vicinity; keeping on the tread way to ascender’s left seems to be the best choice if in doubt where to go. Continued to Cabin before turning around; views there are getting more limited.

Parking

Millbrook Road is well graded and maintained; any vehicle should be okay. 4 or 5 spots to park at trailhead. Another 6 or so spots about a tenth of a mile further up the road. Of note the road is rougher between the two parking areas, so care may be needed there if vehicle has low clearance.

Water Crossings

No issues

Wildlife

Nothing biting today.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Gray Ghost Ski Trail, unknown ski trail name, Appalachian Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Great morning for this hike. The first half mile or so of the ski trails are knee to waste high but there is a well beaten path for hikers to follow so not an a real issue. Lots of Lupines to look at! Once you get on to the AT, this is a beautiful hike over to The Horn. What a morning! Some cool features on this hike that you have to experience. The above treeline hiking provides 360 degrees of Western Maine and New Hampshire.

Parking

Lots of parking at Saddleback. If new to the area, there at EV chargers available.

Water Crossings

N/A

Wildlife

None. Pretty amazing.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Killkenny Ridge Trail, Bushwhack and Unknown Pond Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

It was a spectacular day to be out! Trails were in great condition!! They were pretty dry for the most part there was a few spots that were a little mucky but nothing that wasn't manageable. All water crossings were easy to hop over. There were a few step over blow downs. I ran into a few people at the start on Bunnell Notch Trail. After I had passed them I saw no one till I got closer to Unknown Pond then I ran into quite a few more people along the way out. I had a nice conversation with somebody who recognized my name from posting on here. Wonderful lady if you see this (Hi again!!!). Lots of moose poop around Unknown Pond. But unluckily no moose sitings this day. I was looking though. The bushwhack up to Unknown Pond Peak had been flagging taped out to it. (I am posting this on 7/28 it has since been removed). All in all it is was a great day to be out!!!

Parking

Plenty at my start. It was quite full when I returned.

Water Crossings

All easy hop overs

Wildlife

Not to bad. Some black flies and deer flies on The Horn and Unknown Pond Peak.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Kilkenny Ridge trail, Devil's Hopyard trail, Horn spur, Cabot Spring spur, Terrace spur, Starr King trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Lots I could say here about this three-day adventure, but most of it has probably already been said by others. If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me and ask! Cabot Spring was flowing but very slowly- like almost 10min per liter slow. I wouldn't count on it as a water source. Good flow from the stream by Mill Brook trail junction, plenty of water in Unknown Pond, decent enough flow in Willard Notch and the spring below Starr King. Otherwise, not much for water along this route at the moment.

Parking

South Pond gate doesn't open till 10am. Not a terrible road walk if you get there before the gate is open. Plenty of space to park on the grassy area outside the gate.

Water Crossings

Kilback Pond has some nice new bog bridges, and some older ones that are scheduled to be replaced this fall. The new ones are great, the old ones include a broken section that requires excellent balance if you don't want to go for a swim!

Wildlife

Generally not too bad. Had a few spots where we got swarmed when we stopped, but they were a non-issue for the most part while we were moving

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Grey Ghost ski trail, Appalachian Trail North

Trail Conditions

Notes

Beautiful ridge walk provides expansive views on this 8-mile RT hike. Ski slope route is more moderate than one on Sugarloaf. AT is a gem here, as it is everywhere in Maine. Summits provide 360 views.

Parking

Park on left side at the end of access road to Saddleback Base lodge.

Water Crossings

None.

Wildlife

Windy. Bugs had no chance.

Trails Used

abandoned trail, ATV trails, Berry Picker's Trail, Appalachian Trail, Saddleback Junior Loop Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Today's hike brought us up two of the most spectacular peaks in the state, The Horn and Saddleback Junior! After the drive in to one of the side roads off of Potato Hill Road, we started on our hike on an abandoned section of the Fly Rod Crosby Trail. Although there was lots of tall grass, this section of trail was pretty clear. We then followed the ATV trail to the start of the Berry Picker's Trail. Berry Picker's was in good shape, and we enjoyed the beautiful views from the ridgeline on this clear, windy, and somewhat chilly day up high. After reaching the Appalachian Trail, we ascended to The Horn, where we saw our first other hikers of the day. It was windy and a bit cold on the summit, so we didn't linger too long, but we did take a bit of time to take in the amazing 360 degree view. From the summit of The Horn, we descended to Redington Stream Campsite, where we had lunch. Backpackers should note that the water source at this camping area is almost completely dry right now. From the camping area, we started the steep and rough climb to Saddleback Junior. With its summit poking just above treeline and its location in the center of the High Peaks, the 360 view from Saddleback Junior is one of my favorite anywhere. The fact that very few day hikers visit it makes it even better! By then, it was a bit warmer, so we lingered a bit on the top. We then descended a short distance down the east side of Saddleback Junior, before turning onto the east side of the unofficial Saddleback Junior Loop. While descending the loop, we took a detour on the trail to Wildcat Ridge to get one more great view. We finished our hike by descending the ATV trail back to our vehicle.

Parking

Potato Hill Road is good for mid to high clearance. The side road that we drove down requires high clearance and extreme care.

Water Crossings

all water crossings were easy step-overs today

Wildlife

Not bad

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Ski trails, AT

Trail Conditions

Notes

Hiking route starts behind main lodge building. It ascends Grey Ghost ski trail. Very steep and direct! The few sections that were super gravelly could be walked on the edges in grass/dirt. Once you got the ridge this hike is magnificent alpine zone ridge for 1.5 miles over to the Horn. Absolutely stunning trail/terrain/views. Zero shade almost entire hike so be prepared for exposure to whatever elements are around at the time-today it was SUN!!! Final day of three day push getting the kiddos to 62/67. Just received Tall Boy’s special use permit to hike above treeline next week on Katahdin (under age of six) so Baxter here we come!!!

Parking

Lots of parking just before Saddleback Lodge lot

Wildlife

Nope

Also on this trip

Trails Used

York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Unknown Pond Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Beautiful day for it! Basically summer conditions- there is maybe 1 square foot of snow on the trail between the Cabot summit and the Buldge and otherwise none to be found. Ascent on Bunnell Notch was not as muddy as expected, but descent via Unknown Pond had large sections of the trail that were very muddy. Most sections have well placed rocks that make it pretty manageable. Saw two gray jays at the cabin, a yellow-bellied sap sucker, and lots of moose scat but no moose. Met lots of friendly people along the way but also had long stretches of quiet trail even on the holiday

Parking

10+ cars at 8:30 between the two lots, gate open at 4:15 when I left

Water Crossings

Manageable- though some are a little tricky

Wildlife

They know it’s nearly summer- didn’t need a net, but bug spray was a must