Trip report

SUSTAINING MEMBERS ONLY: KILBURN POND HIKE/SWIM/SUNBATHE

Swim/Sunbathe DATE: 08/17/2019 - 08/17/2019

Trip/Event Location: Hinsdale, NH
US

Trip Leader(s): Gandalf , JDNnh

Max # People: 25

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Easy

As part of the GO Gathering, take a leisurely hike for swimming/sunbathing at Kilburn Pond in Pisgah State Park, a short drive from MountainSide!

In the heat of summer there's nothing more

...
Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at:

We will meet at the MountainSide Campground Canteen at 1:00PM to arrange carpooling to the trailhead.

If you are NOT spending the weekend at MountainSide Campground, here is the address: 

MountainSide
87 McDonald River
Hinsdale, NH 03451

Use Google to map out driving directions. Enter your starting address and the campground address.


Trip Report/Photos
Featured Photo

About 16 members attending the GO Gathering decided to join Jon and me on this .07 hike to Kilburn Pond at Pisgah State Park for a swim. We worked out the carpooling arrangements at the campground, drove to the trailhead about 15 minutes away and started our hike around 1:30 PM.

It was sunny, hot and humid, with temperatures most likely in the 80’s. Off we went following Kilburn Road.

We found a herd path that led us to a rocky ledge. Some of us wanted to go skinny dipping so we found a more private place nearby to launch ourselves into the water. It was easy to jump into the water from the ledge we were on, probably rising about 8 feet above the water. 

The entire pond had about a dozen people scattered around various rock ledges. The water was refreshing but nothing as cold as ocean or river water. We spent a couple of hours sunbathing and jumping in the water.

Dan left his FOB in his shirt pocket and it somehow fell out into the water. Unfortunately it was deep, about 7 feet. Four of us dived down looking for the FOB but by the time we reached the bottom, we were out of breath and could not search the bottom for very long. The bottom was not solid. A soggy bottom of broken twigs and branches. With the FOB mixed in this debris, it was very difficult to find.

To make matters worse, Brian’s phone slid off the ledge and into the water. After searching for a half hour or more, we gave up.    

The hike and swim was fabulous. It was certainly a highlight of this year’s GO Gathering!    

~ Mike and Jon

Epilogue: On Sunday, Dan returned to Kilburn Pond using a mask and snorkel. He found his key!  Unfortunately, we could not find Brian's phone. There was water in the key and the car was acting wonky when he stopped for breaks. It was raining hard when he got to New York so he got a motel for the night and dried the insides of the key with a blow dryer. The key is working fine now and he safely made it back to Harrisburg, PA.

  There are 8 photos in Album (Note: Move mouse pointer over larger pic and click on NEXT for better viewing)

Members That Participated

Gandalf

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Thornton, NH


United States
JDNnh

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Thornton, NH


United States
GlennCanoe

Outdoor Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate


Rochester NH area, NH


United States
MichaelProvidence

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Providence, RI


United States
beyoungyu

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Harrisburg, PA


United States
nakedswimmer

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Florence, MA


United States
sherby78

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Tewksbury, MA


United States
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