| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Starr King, Mt. Waumbek, South Weeks, Middle Weeks, North Weeks, Terrace Mountain, North Terrace Mountain, The Bulge, Mt. Cabot, Roger's Ledge, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Starr King Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail, Terrace Mountain Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 20, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Only one water crossing between Roger's Ledge and South Ponds at low elevation, easily rock-hoppable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The blowdowns between Mt. Waumbek and North Weeks are incredible. For now, there are lots of herdpath work-arounds. The whole Kilkenny Ridge Trail needs a serious brushing but is still relatively simple to follow. Between Roger's Ledge and South Ponds there are a few areas of very deep mud where people are widening the trail to get around it. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
There is no running water from the Starr King trailhead and between Middle and North Weeks, and then none again until Willard Notch. Take care to pack enough water to make it through this long section. The Kilkenny Ridge Trail overall is very well suited to dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies and mosquitoes abound at lower elevations, especially in marshy areas near the ponds. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Starr King Trail was lovely and very well-maintained, no issues.
The Kilkenny Ridge Trail between Mt. Waumbek and Bunnell Notch, then again between Mt. Cabot and South Ponds was largely a giant fern-whack. Prickly bushes and ferns are crowding the trail, and after a recent rain it is very wet. Between Middle and North Weeks, there are numerous very large blowdowns that make following the trail extremely challenging. There are some herdpaths that bypass some of these, while others must be crawled through with immense difficulty. The damage in this area from storms is extensive and very challenging to pass through. Also in this area, the trail is hard to distinguish from herdpaths and great care must be taken to not get sidetracked.
The Mt. Cabot Trail leading down from Bunnell Notch and the York Pond Trail heading west from Willard Notch are signed as no longer being maintained by the USFS.
All trails directly surrounding Mt. Cabot and Unknown Pond are in wonderful shape.
At one point, the Kilkenny Ridge Trail sideswipes Kilback Pond (between Roger's Ledge and Unknown Pond), and this part of the trail is nearly impassable. The bog bridges crossing the pond are insufficient and partly submerged, and floating logs are being used to cross this section. The pond water is very deep and would be unpleasant to fall in. Great care should be taken if choosing to hike in this area.
After Kilback Pond, the trail is surrounded by tall ferns until Roger's Ledge, but very passable. This time of year, blueberries and raspberries are everywhere.
The Kilkenny Ridge Trail is a beautiful, wild section of path unlike anywhere else in the Whites. The condition of the trail does not detract from this. |
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 | Name: |
BBQeel |
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 | E-Mail: |
BBQeel@hotmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-07-21 |
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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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