Waumek via Starr King trail-5/9/08

[HIKERNED]

Barebooted entire hike. Summit of both peaks clear of snow. Some snow in the woods just before summit of Starr King and on the ridge between summits. All of cairn on Waumbek in the clear. For the most part, the snow can be avoided or is shallow enough that breaking through is not a problem. Enough needles have fallen on snow to provide traction in other places. Deepest snow near summit of Starr King. No blowdown problems, no stream crossings. No ice problems near the spring which sometimes occurs . All in all a much better day than expected although black flies appear to be coming out at lower elevations.