Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Starr King, Mt. Waumbek, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Starr King Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, April 28, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Starr King Road to the trailhead parking is in good condition. Best to stay to the right when driving in to avoid a dip in a drainage gully.
The lot can fill up on good days. The lot was near full today. I suppose the winter parking lot on the south side of route 2 west of Starr King Road can be used as an overflow alternative. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No brook crossings. Some small drainages that are easy to step over |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail in good condition. Well blazed.
Large hardwood tree across the trail before reaching the start of the traverse. Easy to walk around end.
Large evergreen tree across the trail just above the start of the traverse. Easy to straddle over.
Tree across the trail on approach to Starr King that is a walk around.
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. One quiet dog and one growler today. |
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 | Bugs: |
A few. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Varied conditions in the transition season. Surfaces included dry soil and rocks, mud, frozen slush, hard packed rail (not elevated), and mushy snow. Many of the wet/muddy spots had embedded rocks that can be used to keep the footwear dry. The compressed snow track is amidst the snow. It appeared the deepest snow was perhaps two feet. Even on the ridge between Starr King and Waumbek, there are short stretches of snowless ground and mud. Carried snowshoes but conditions did not warrant their use.
The blowdown area (views) just beyond the summit of Mt Waumbek is a short walk on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. There are also good views from the ledges on Starr King. Gray Jays present on both peaks. The water is flowing at the spring (signed).
Lots of hikers out today including Jeff from Lisbon ME, Jack from So NH, a mother & daughter from Nashua, a man retired from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, and two school teachers from SW NH. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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 | Date Submitted: |
2023-04-28 |
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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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