Took a short solo hike on the Kek this weekend. Just an overnight jaunt to Medas Lake and back. The trail is in very good shape. Not a lot of trees seem to have come down over the winter. The first beaver dam you come to has some new trees down across the trail that beavers have cut down and short section of trail is under water from the Beaver dam. The swampy meadow that used to be just across the dam is now a pond:)

Still some snow on the trail as you get further east. None more than 8 or 10 inches deep and not much ice, so hiking was generally pretty easy.

I had wanted to hike the Old Pines trail, but did not have enough time and, in truth, after looking at the trail where it crosses the Kek near Medas Lake, it looks to be a pretty tough hike right now. Lots of downed trees to deal with just north of the Kek. I did not get any further in, but if it's all like this I think it's a more difficult slog than I want to deal with.

I stayed the night at Medas Lake. I had not been there since before the 2016 blowdown and found the site change considerably. Lots of downed trees and really only one area for tents. Could probably fit two tents in, maybe three if you crowded them in. Also several dead trees in the area of the tent pad. Something to keep in mind.

I did not stay at the site on Moiyaka, but did check the campsite on my way out Sunday morning. There is one large tree down a few feet from the fire grate, but the grate is still very usable. Like Medas there are a lot of downed trees, but there do not seem to be any dead standing near the tent pad. If I was going back I'd probably stay at this site instead of Medas because of this.

I also checked out the campsite at Drumstick Lake. Very usable site. Like the other two there are lots of trees down, but nothing that would prevent a person from using the site.

I always enjoy the Kek and this weekend was no exception. Just about perfect weather for a hike. Lows in the mid 20's and highs near 50. The blowdown is a nearly constant presence, but the trail crew that cleared the trail did spectacular job. The trail really is in remarkably good condition. I had a great time and hope to get back soon!

You must have been behind us yesterday? I noticed a couple foot prints heading east that looked old in the snow. Did you see ours with a dog?
We got out at about 1:00.

I did notice a set of prints (both human and canine)! Nice to know who they belonged too! Hope you had a nice hike ... I know I did. Did you hike the entire trail? If so how's the trail once you get past the Agamok river? I am most interested in how high the water was in the creek crossings beyond the Agamok.
With the heavy snow pack this year I thought they might be "interesting"!

In any case, it was o nice to see the trail in such terrific shape!

By the way, I would have responded sooner, but our internet (and phone) have been out of service for the last 5 days. Could to get connected to the outside world again;)

We were hiking the Snowbank loop clockwise. We missed a split and ended up walking around the east side of Disappointment lake, (on what I now call the "Dead and Down Old Pines Loop"). We joined the Kek just west of Drumstick Creek and headed west from there. We stayed on Becoosin Lake Saturday night, and hiked out Sunday morning.

I can't imagine the effort it took to clear that those trails- even if we couldn't find the right one ;)