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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Starr King, Mt. Waumbek, South Weeks, Middle Weeks, North Weeks, NH
Trails
Trails: Starr King Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, June 13, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked in the Starr King lot. No issues 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No crossings to speak of. In fact, the limited water supply is something to really consider if you're going on past Waumbek; there is a trickling streams half a mile before Mt. Starr King and about half a mile south of North Weeks. Other than that, very dry. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Starr King is in superb shape. Very well blazed, recent work to avoid runoff really shows. North of Waumbek on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail is a total mess, unsurprisingly. Trees and shrubs protruding onto the trail and numerous blowdowns that force bushwacks, though herd paths are developing. Same story all the way to North Weeks. Trail is easy enough to follow though, despite faded blazes 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Totally fine for dogs, apart from the lack of water. Be sure to bring extra, especially if continuing past Waumbek. 
Bugs
Bugs: Significant at the trailhead and on Starr King. Limited otherwise with the cool night 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: None 
 
Comments
Comments: Treated myself to the long, slow, brushy march to the Weeks mountains on this one. I'd already done Waumbek before, but I was reminded how pleasant the Starr King Trail is. Beyond Waumbek it is seriously wild. So much brush growing out into the trail, and the blowdowns (20-30 between Waumbek and North Weeks) makes the trek significantly slower and more frustrating than a usual ridge walk. In addition to the lack of reliable water sources on this route, I'd mention that there are few obvious spots to pitch a tent and stay the night. I parked at the top of South Weeks for the night (room for one small tent), and I saw one spot each on Middle and North Weeks (the North Weeks spot looks really nice, fwiw). Limited views on Weeks Mtn.  
Name
Name: Alkalime and Shredder 
E-Mail
E-Mail: khecht@wesleyan.edu 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-06-13 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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