| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Starr King, Mt. Waumbek, South Weeks, Middle Weeks, North Weeks, Terrace Mountain, Mt. Cabot, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Road walk, Starr King Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, herd path, Terrace Mountain Spur, Bunnell Notch Trail, York Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, May 23, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
my vehicle was the only vehicle at the lot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
crossing on Bunnell Notch Trail flowing but rock hoppable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Starr King Trail in perfect shape thanks!! Kilkenny Ridge Trail has multiple blowdowns throughout most smaller stepovers but several large.. No major impedances. Looking at blowdowns on either side of trail was surprised there wasnt more. Terrace Mtn spur has a few walk around blowdowns. Bunnell Notch Trail in super shape! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
cool temps kept them at bay |
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 | Lost and Found: |
packed out a painted stone from Waumbek. Will make a great stone soup. also a few odds and ends descending from Cabot |
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 | Comments: |
Today marked the final leg of the supported NB White Mountain Direttissima. After a restful sleep in the woods with an orchestra of tree frogs playing the night i set out for the toughest part of the day-the roadwalk from Castle Trail to Starr King Trail. The highlight of this walk was chatting up the jersey cow at a farm i passed. quite sure the farmer had herd me (bad pun-i realize). Met several friendly folks on Starr King Trail. After summiting Cabot with thoughts of staying at the Cabin i decided to use the little fuel i had left and make the push out to the tralhead. i started this journey May 8th 545 p.m. after a long day of work and finished May 23rd 845 p.m. Wasnt looking to set any records but looking to engage a backpacking challenge and see parts of the NH48 sometimes very much less traveled. I couldn't have done this without the support of my wonderful wife who helped designed a slightly modified Direttissima route of hiking great Arlette Laans unsupported Direttissima. Many thanks those in the hiking community who reached out throughout this with multiple offers of help,trail magic,and most importantly words of encouragement.Also the guidance of one of the hiking ledgends on S Twin on how to locate the "fallen tree" to cross the that day unsafe to cross Little River with dry feet. i was really hesitant to cross this way but the thoughts that this inspiring crew had just done this earlier in the day sparked my spirit.The first week of this trip featured extremely tough trail conditions. After a soul crushing day going over Lincoln Slide then whacking over the Owl in sometimes hip deep snowpockets,and again hip deep collapsing snow bidges into water on the upper part of Franconia Brook Trail, i was met with a literal waterfall on the last pitch before the Garfield shelter. Dehydrated,soaked and exhausted i considered calling it. Upon reaching the shelter i was happy to meet Brittany Cent and had great conversation. Looking back i shouldve eaten and rehydrated but needed to warm up and sleep.This conversation as well as a text with encouraging words from a hiker ive had the opportunity to get to know and hike with occasionally over the past several months-The Teal Goat made all the difference and woke to a new day and renewed energy. Conditions improved steadily with the exception of Zealand to Guyot where once again i met for the first time in person Heat Lightning which was a complete surprise and made my day after a long day of postholing in which he had just done as well. i dropped down for water and heard a friendly voice say "hey! Theres a seat up here for you after you get water if you want to go over the trail" from high up on the perch of the shelter. Very much appreciated the trail talk of conditions he had just encountered earlier from Desolation Trail on. Looking forward to the next adventure! |
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 | Name: |
scottb |
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 | E-Mail: |
mainebeefman@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-05-24 |
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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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