3,905 ft | Kilkenny | 0 routes
As of October 16, 2026
Trail conditions on The Horn are currently rated Difficult. At 8:40 PM ET it was 43°F at the summit (3,905 ft), feeling like 33°F, with W winds at 18 mph. See the hour-by-hour The Horn weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
No routes available for this peak.
Feels like 33°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.06" (24h) · 0.80" (48h)
Snow: 0.2" (24h) · 0.2" (48h)
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
A heavy rain event is ending as temperatures crash, with heavy snow in the forecast for Saturday and moderate snow Sunday, leaving summit highs near 30°F and lows near 19°F or colder. Expect slick, wet-then-icing trails, strong gusty winds, and short daylight; wind chill at the summit drops to the teens. Saturday is the most hazardous day, and Sunday is improved but still wintry, so plan conservatively and keep daylight margin.
The trailhead (~2,000ft) runs roughly 39-58°F while the summit sits near 33°F or colder with 49 mph winds and a wind chill near 16°F, and the freezing level around the summit means ice and snow are likely on the upper trail. Start with a warm base layer and shell, and add insulation before leaving the sheltered lower woods since the summit is much colder and windier.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday morning after snowfall tapers, starting early with a firm weather check; avoid Saturday entirely while heavy snow and freezing conditions are forecast
Last synthesized Oct 16, 8:40 PM ET
Planning a hike here this week?
Trailblazer adds the full 7-day summit forecast, the best day to go for every peak, and conditions for each route up.
Trail: Unknown Pond Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“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.”
Trail: Unknown Pond Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“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.”
Trail: York Pond Trail, Bunnell Notch Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Horn Spur, bushwhack, Unknown Pond Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“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!!!”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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19°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 19°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
50 mph
Summit gusts
Waterproof shell
Daytime gusts near 50 mph above treeline, and a shell is what blocks it.
-1°F
Wind chill
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Rising from the remote Kilkenny region of northern New Hampshire, this 3,905-foot summit offers a rewarding wilderness experience for those willing to earn their views. The peak features a distinctive rocky summit cone that breaks above treeline, providing panoramic vistas across the wild, heavily forested landscapes of Coos County, with standout views toward the Presidential Range and the surrounding Kilkenny highlands. The approach trail is rugged and demanding, with steep sections, rooty terrain, and limited signage characteristic of this less-traveled corner of the White Mountains. As part of the 52 With A View list, it delivers the open, exposed summit experience that defines that collection. The relative isolation of the Kilkenny range means fewer crowds than the main White Mountain corridors, making this a particularly appealing objective for hikers seeking genuine backcountry character alongside their above-treeline rewards.
Elevation
3,905 ft
Range
Kilkenny
Difficulty
Difficult
Coordinates
44.5179, -71.4002
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.