| 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: |
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The road to the trailhead parking lot and the parking lot itself ion Starr King Road was open and plowed the day we went. Plenty of spaces and only two other cars. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Only some water run off at the lower elevation and first mile but it is avoidable if you pick your path carefully. You will still be walking in some very wet and muddy run off coming down the lower double track part of the trail above and below the old well. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Ther are a couple small blow downs but nothing to speak of and of course the previous mentioned water run off on the lower trail section. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None |
|
 | Bugs: |
Jone |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
The lower section of Starr King Trail was bare ground with only a dusting of snow which made the first mile and a half wet and kinda sloppy but nothing you couldn’t work around. Snow amounts gradually increased as we ascended. The summit of Starr King and the traverse over to Waumbek had maybe 8-12 inches of fresh new powder over a snow base that was plenty firm due to the colder temps we’ve had this week. Another pair of hikers that had started out probably about an hour or two ahead of us had broken trail for us and we met up with them at about 3000 ft as they were descending. They were doing fine with micro spikes and did not have to switch to snowshoes. My wife and I did the same and were fine also. It was right on the line of needing them or not from about 2500 feet up but with the additional snow Wednesday night and Thursday and more coming Saturday, I think snow snowshoes will be the best option going forward for the next several days. Plenty of firm base snow underneath and loose powdery new snow on top at elevation so all rocks, stumps and other trail obstructions are buried up high but still lots of rocks, roots and bare ground down low. So conditions went from wet spring like at the trail head to full blown winter at the summit. |
|
 | Name: |
Chris Cutter |
|
 | E-Mail: |
bikedude64@cox.net |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-03-21 |
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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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