July 3, 2009 Hike #3
Time for Waumbek. I love Mount Waumbek. I know there are no real views other than the partial views from the top of Starr King and a partial view just past the summit, but it has a lot going for it. It's perfect for a rainy day. There are no streams to cross so it can be hiked on a day when other mountains can't be hiked. It doesn't take long, so it is a perfect "late in the day hike".
Madison and I hiked the Wildcats this morning and then made a short stop at Triple Falls. Now it was time for Waumbek. The parking area was packed when we arrived. I guess I'm not the only one who thinks this hike is perfect for a rainy day. Since I started so late, I saw lots of hikers coming down. I met and talked with a couple peakbaggers on the top of Starr King. They told me there was no one between where we were and Waumbek. Looks like Maddie and I have the mountain to ourselves now. We went over, tagged the top of Waumbek, and headed back down. I was surprised to find a couple vehicles still in the parking lot. Then I realized they were probably car spots for someone doing the entire Kilkenny Ridge.
My drive home did not go so smoothly. There was a huge backup on Route 2 near Randolph. The traffic was not moving at all. After sitting for about 15 minutes I overheard someone say there was a bad accident ahead and that the road would be closed for at least an hour. I decided to head back to Jefferson and head home via Route 302. A return trip that should have taken about an hour and a half took me nearly 3 hours. But I am thankful. I lost an hour or two of my time, I later learned that 3 people lost their lives in the accident. What a tragedy.
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