Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

It's prime autumn afternoon hiking season - gentle breezes, blue skies and dry trails. Not enough leaves have fallen to cover ankle biters, and not enough rain has fallen to have more than tiny spots of mud. Get outside before that all changes. Skip work if you have to. We're all getting replaced by AI anyway, so might as well give the overlords a reason to fire you. (Actually we're not, but tell them I said it was a good excuse. I'm sure that will make it better.) Oh yeah - Waumbek is in great shape. Enjoy the quickly improving trail thanks to the hard work of new maintainers.

Parking

3 cars around 2pm, only 1 other a few hours later. The dirt road is still a little bumpy, but much easier to pass through than earlier this year.

Water Crossings

None. The new drainage just after the trailhead has done wonders to dry up the mud pit.

Wildlife

Some swarming down low but not too bad.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Star King Trail, Killkenny Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Was a rainy morning on the trail, it turned sunny by noon time. even with the rain there were six other hikers on the trail and one cool pup.

Parking

Plenty of Parking at the Starr King trail head.

Water Crossings

No issues with water crossings

Wildlife

Very few bugs, even after and during the rain.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Starr King and Waumbek are in great condition. A few small mud spots here and there, but otherwise very nice. Again, huge shout out to the new maintainers. Some of the more notorious wet sections have had a lot of care paid to them recently.

Parking

Plenty of spots around 5pm

Water Crossings

Nope

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King

Trail Conditions

Notes

A pleasant hike on a cool, almost fall like day. No views as the viewpoints were in the clouds when I arrived. Of note, the spring just off the traverse is just a tiny trickle and is not a reliable water source at this time.

Parking

2 water bars but otherwise easy going. I suspect most vehicles can clear water bars without difficulty.

Water Crossings

None

Wildlife

None

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King, Kilkenny Ridge

Trail Conditions

Notes

Considering the forecast today, this was the right call for a muggy morning trip. Lots of people out enjoying it this morning. Hopefully the thunderstorms hold off. Kudos again to the road crew and trail maintainers. All of the mud spots on this hike have either firmed up and are no longer mud spots or easy to step over/around.

Parking

It appears that the road to trail head was recently graded and more road material was brought into smooth out the section to parking area after the last house recently. There are still 2 washout ridges that are in the road which are necessary to keep the road from completely washing out but it’s smooth sailing, even compared to a couple of weeks ago. Parking lot was full by the time I left this morning.

Wildlife

None existent. Didn’t need the bug dope that I sweat off by the time I hit Starr King.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Kilkenny Ridge trail, Devil's Hopyard trail, Horn spur, Cabot Spring spur, Terrace spur, Starr King trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Lots I could say here about this three-day adventure, but most of it has probably already been said by others. If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me and ask! Cabot Spring was flowing but very slowly- like almost 10min per liter slow. I wouldn't count on it as a water source. Good flow from the stream by Mill Brook trail junction, plenty of water in Unknown Pond, decent enough flow in Willard Notch and the spring below Starr King. Otherwise, not much for water along this route at the moment.

Parking

South Pond gate doesn't open till 10am. Not a terrible road walk if you get there before the gate is open. Plenty of space to park on the grassy area outside the gate.

Water Crossings

Kilback Pond has some nice new bog bridges, and some older ones that are scheduled to be replaced this fall. The new ones are great, the old ones include a broken section that requires excellent balance if you don't want to go for a swim!

Wildlife

Generally not too bad. Had a few spots where we got swarmed when we stopped, but they were a non-issue for the most part while we were moving

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King, Kilkenny Ridge

Trail Conditions

Notes

Rain and wind came in earlier than expected this afternoon and a lot of people got WET! Kilkenny Ridge had a lot of pooled water in the normal spots and the mud pits that were dry earlier this week are now back to being muddy. Starr King trail become a bit slippery when the rain hit on the descent but would expect that to dry up pretty quickly once the rain moves on as no water was pooling or attempting to destroy all the nice work done by the trail maintainers lately. A fine example of why you want to be prepared for anything while hiking in the White Mountains!

Parking

Access road is holding up well after the recent work so cars can get in.

Water Crossings

N/A

Wildlife

Washed away with the rain this afternoon.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Excellent weather for these two. Nice crossing paths and chatting with approx eighteen others enjoying this mild July day

Parking

Parked at trailhead. Low clearance car had no issues with the dips and bumps. Entrance has been graded nicely since my last visit.6 vehicles on arrival 4 on return

Wildlife

Minimal at best. No deet needed at all

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Starr King is in really good shape all the way to Waumbek. It's wet in all the normal spots, but those can be avoided. Big thanks to whoever cleared up the ridge recently - it's in great shape.

Parking

The road to the trailhead has been somewhat repaired, so driving in is much nicer to the bottom of your car. 6 cars around 2:30, only 2 around 7pm.

Water Crossings

Bottom mud pit is wet, but passable. Occasional spots that are wet, particularly in the first 1.5 miles. Overall in good condition though.

Wildlife

A fair number down low, but nothing bug spray couldn't handle.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

No snow left to be seen! Trail was surprisingly dry with a few patches of mud down low. Otherwise, with the exception of a few blowdowns on the ridge between the peaks, the trail was in good condition.

Parking

The lot was full late morning (as was to be expected with a late arrival). Ended up parking in the lot next to the gas station. Saw some others parking at the golf course… wasn’t sure if that was allowed (I recall a few years ago the golf course didn’t want hikers parking there, but maybe that has changed?)

Wildlife

Getting bad down low until about half way up to Mt. Starr King. After that, they seemed to disappear.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Trail is bare until 3100’. Between 3100’-3500’ there are a few blotches or snow and 10ft long sections of ice. Above 3500’ it ranges from a dusting of snow over dirt to more sustained sections of ice/slushy monorail. We were fine in trail runners (we did some sliding off the edge of the monorail between Waumbek and Starr King) but could definitely seeing someone using spikes above 3700’ if they wanted to. I posted pictures of the conditions on AllTrails if you want to take a look.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King Trail, Kilkenny Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Dry with patches of mud up to 3,000 ft. From there, snow takes over. Slushy until 3,600 ft, packed monorail above that.

Parking

Parking is good!

Water Crossings

None

Wildlife

No bugs yet

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Started to see ice patches around 2950’ Put on Hillsound micro spikes at about 3200’. My first experience with these types of monorails. They were in pretty good shape for the most part, but I did post hole a few times. Only went in up to my knee once ha ha. Monorails got softer closer to summits. At times only a boot width. I don’t think snowshoes would have been a better choice today. Saw 6 other people.

Parking

Parked at trail head but one section of road is tough, had to use snow/mud setting on my Forester

Water Crossings

NA

Wildlife

None

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Waumbek Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Monorail conditions in conifers. High water on East Branch of Pemigewasset River, so chose trail with no water crossings. People postholing when missing center of route. Warm conditions. Limited visibility from Starr King (only 2nd time out of 14 visits with views).

Water Crossings

Hiked this trail specifically to avoid water crossings due to high discharge rates on East Branch of Pemigewasset River.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Starr King Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Better than expected conditions today. A combo of wet trail, flowing water, icy and snowy leftover hard pack down low. Stable hardpack and beginnings of monorails up top but you gotta stay in the hard center. It was warm down low but breezy, dank and chilly up top at times. It was a bit like a Taylor Swift concert costume change for us as layers went on and off and on again. Spikes car to car. I used exos, others used microdspikes. I'm glad to grid out this peak and get an over 70 for Kwi-Hui.

Parking

We braved the moon craters with caution in a CRV and passed without issue.