Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Starr King, Mt. Waumbek, South Weeks, NH |
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| Trails: |
Starr King Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 16, 2014 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Small lot can accommodate around five or six vehicles with some more spaces of the access spur. The access spur road is a bumpy ride but can be handled by all vehicles. Do not block the roadway leading to the nearby residences. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The Starr King Trail is in good condition. I sawed up two small trees that crossed the trail. There is one medium sized evergreen tree that crosses the trail below the spring that will need to be axed. In the meantime it can be straddled.
The Kilkenny Ridge trail from Mt Waumbek to South Weeks is not well maintained. The yellow blazes are frequently faded. There are dozens of tree falls across the trail. Some are easy step overs. Others can be straddled, walked on, swung under, or bypassed. somebody had axed around four of the downed trees on the Waumbek ridge. I was able to perform some cuts of branches to ease passage in some places. There are long stretches with ferns obscuring the pathway. The footway itself is in decent condition. This section of the Kilkenny Ridge trail could use the work of a trail crew.
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
Good for dogs. Expect very little water on the Kilkenny Ridge Trail. There was a small pool of water at the bottom of the col between Waumbek and South Weeks. |
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| Bugs: |
None |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
The hike up to Mt Waumbek is relatively easy for a four thousand foot summit. The footing is good. Be sure to walk the 50 yards on the Kilkenny Ridge trail beyond the summit of Mt Waumbek to the outllok to the Presidential Range at the blow down patch. Saw a hen Spruce Grouse between Starr King and Waumbek. Gray Jays are on Starr King.
The hike to South Weeks is wilder than most of the wilderness areas in the more southerly sections of the White Mountains. A lot of moose droppings on this trail but no sightings of the moose. |
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| Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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| E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-08-16 |
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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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