It was another few hundred feet from the lookout to the crest of the ridge on Mount Cabot, and it wasn't long at all before the green, wood-shingled Cabot cabin came into view. It was perched more-or-less on the forested ridgecrest. A large patch of the forest to the west below the front of the cabin had been cleared away, giving those standing on the front porch an excellent view west over a large swath of western New Hampshire and Eastern Vermont.
View of Cabin and clearing
The Cabin was indeed empty! There were eight bunkspots, each with a foam sleeping pad stapled in place. Unfortunately, the propane stove turned out to have no propane left for it, so we'd be having a cold dinner tonight. Out front, the late afternoon sun bathed the front of the Cabin in brilliant, warm light. We spent a wonderful hour outside basking in it.
Interactive Trackmap - Pilot-Pliny Traverse Hike - Day 1 - Click map to Expand
Day 1 - Elevation over Distance
Day 1 - Elevation over Time
Start Time:
6:37a.m.
End Time:
4:56p.m.
Duration:
10h18m
Distance:
21.81 km
(13.55 mi)
Average Speed:
2.1 km/hr
(1.3 mph)
Start Elevation:
1607ft
(490m)
*
Max Elevation:
4072ft
(1241m)
*
Min Elevation:
1607ft
(490m)
*
End Elevation:
4069ft
(1240m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain:
5941ft
(1811m)
*
Total Elevation Loss:
3520ft
(1073m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
Immediately above the cabin was another clearing - this one a remnant from the observation tower that used to exist. This clearing afforded a limited but good view to the east, and, as the sun set, we got some excellent shots of wonderful twilight colors and the rising of the full moon.
Cabot Cabin in late day light
Moonrise from Mount Cabot
The sun had gone down and twilight was rapidly fading. We'd had our cold dinners. Ewart, claimed that he was completely knackered, had already gone to bed. It was only 7pm - but the rhythm of the sun and moon dictacted that we should probably head to bed ourselves. Besides, we wanted an early start the next morning, since Jenn and I had to get back to Ottawa by late afternoon.
Connecticut valley at night
