Mts. Major, Straightback, North Straightback,

Used the Express trail, Major--Straightback link, Quarry trail, Quarry link and back down the Express trail.

All trail are in excellent condition. There is some mud on short stretches on the Major--Straightback link which can be avoided. Saw some snow on the side of Straightback but none on the trail. The east side of the Belknap range is basically snow free. I saw some snow on the Gunstock slopes but I suspect that the entire range is snow free. It was a lot of fun getting back to 'summer' hiking. I did have to use some bug spray for the first time this year. The bugs were swarming but not biting.

As usual it was busy on Major and very peaceful and isolated once beyond Major.

We had the very special privilege of meeting Art up on Major and had an extended conversation with this 'living legend.' He not only maintains many of the trails on Major, he told me he helped construct several of them.