| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Starr King, Mt. Waumbek, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Starr King Road, Starr King Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, March 11, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Summer lot is all ice, but one Jeep did make it there. Winter lot is plowed and somewhat muddy. A couple cars were parked on north side of Route 2 just east of Starr King Road, but this area is just below a hill crest and may not be the safest spot (unsure if this is legal or not). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Ice - Blue |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No problem. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
2 significant blowdown problems. First is about 0.5-0.7 miles from summer parking lot. Large (18 inch trunk) tree fallen directly down trail with large crown blocking trail. Second is roughly halfway between Starr King & Waumbek, across trail at awkward height with developing herd path around it (about 10 inch diameter). |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Snow depth is only 8 inches or so off the trail, except it is significantly deeper on the ridge. Trail has extensive ice from summer lot to the traverse. The traverse is better, but has several significant ice flows near the spring. Ridge to Waumbek was just hardpack snow. If the trail were steeper, crampons would be required, but it was manageable with microspikes, and I chose not to use my crampons due to the multiple rocks and roots poking up through the snow on the trail.
I considered continuing to South Weeks, but decided against it after getting a late start. The were tracks heading off from Waumbek, but they appeared relatively old. The snow appeared much less consolidated and I think snowshoes would be helpful if continuing on Kilkenny Ridge. |
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 | Name: |
Jay Baxter |
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 | E-Mail: |
Jbaxtermdfacs@comcast.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-03-11 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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