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Mt. Starr King, Mt. Waumbek
Jefferson, NH, Kilkenny, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Starr King Trail
Route: Starr King Trail
While I had originally put in for a full day off with a nice advance weather forecast, the winds were dialed up dramatically as the day neared. Thus, I settled for taking off a half day and heading up to Waumbek.
Parking in the winter parking lot on the opposite of US 2 (which appears to require 4WD to get out of), I barebooted up to the summer trailhead and was soon snowshoeing up the Starr King Trail. Having ascended this trail in cloudy weather previously, it amazed me how much more pleasant this trail was with blue skies. While temperatures were fairly cold, I felt warm enough to ascend with just a long sleeve shirt.
The views from Mt. Starr King were, though a bit obstructed by tree growth, quite nice - the Presidentials looked particularly impressive.
While the trail up to Mt. Starr King was barebootable, things were a bit less packed on the way to Waumbek, due in part to some drifting. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant journey to the wooded summit. After reaching the summit and adding some winter layers, I headed down to the blowdown viewpoint a few hundred feet to the east. Though a bit obscured by the trees, the views were nonetheless quite nice.
The descent back to the parking lot went fairly quickly, thanks to the nicely packed trail. Finally, a nice day on Waumbek!
| Hike Ratings |
|
Getting To Trailhead: |
Moderate |
| Destination: |
Mt. Starr King |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Moderate |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
| Destination: |
Mt. Waumbek |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Moderate |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Moderate |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
|
| Hike Stats |
|
Date Hiked: |
Friday, February 6, 2009 |
| Hike Commenced: |
12:10 PM |
| Parking Elevation: |
1,420' |
| Destination: |
Mt. Starr King |
| Ascent Commenced: |
12:21 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
1:26 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
01:05 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
1,675' |
| Summit Elevation: |
3,907' |
| Distance: |
2.6 miles |
| Vertical Gain: |
2,267' |
| Destination: |
Mt. Waumbek |
| Ascent Commenced: |
1:26 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
1:48 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:22 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
3,907' |
| Summit Elevation: |
4,006' |
| Distance: |
1 mile |
| Vertical Gain: |
239' |
|
|
| Hike Ended: |
3:10 PM |
| Hike Time Elapsed: |
03:00 |
| Hike Vertical Gain: |
2,883' |
|
Starr King Trail trailhead
Looking at the Presidentials from near the Mt. Starr King summit
Looking up the Starr King Trail on the way to the Mt. Waumbek summit
The looking at the Presidentials from the quasi-viewpoint near Mt. Waumbek
Directions to trailhead: Take Route 2 West from Gorham. In winter, after passing Route 115 on the left, look for Starr King Road on the right. Immediately after passing Starr King Road (staying on US 2), a makeshift parking area is located on the left. Walk back along US 2 to Starr King Road and then up Starr King Road (bearing left at an intersection). The Starr King Trail trailhead will be at the end of this road.
Back to Mt. Starr King Profile
Back to Mt. Waumbek Profile
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