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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 The Starr King Trail on the way to Mt. Starr King
Route: Starr King Trail
While the weather forecast was mediocre, I was a bit vexed to drive into rain as I neared the Starr King Trail trailhead. Since the rain was light in nature, the temperatures warm, and the western horizon bright, I opted to go for it anyway.
The first mile and a half or so of the Starr King Trail was mostly bare. As I neared the spruce forest, the snow instantly arrived, about two feet deep to start. As such, I put on my snowshoes for the balance of the hike to Mt. Waumbek.
Once at Starr King, the skies had started to clear, resulting in excellent views where obtainable (due to the increasingly wooded summit area). Snow depths on the ridge were a good four feet or so. Between the peaks, the packed out monorail deviated from the trail considerably in places. Not wanting to find a spruce trap on this route, I opted to follow the trail kosher, eventually rejoining the monorail a few minutes before the summit.
After reaching the summit, I continued east for a few hundred feet to the blowdown patch viewpoint, where I was treated to strong views of the Presidentials.
As I left Waumbek, the sun started to set, resulting in a yellow display at first. After spending a few minutes taking photos, I continued to Starr King, where I was treated to an excellent post-sunset color display (a bit obscured by the trees). Beyond there, I was able to make it about halfway down from Starr King before needing my headlamp for the balance of the descent.
| Hike Ratings |
|
Getting To Trailhead: |
Easy |
| Destination: |
Mt. Starr King |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Moderate |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
| Destination: |
Mt. Waumbek |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Moderate |
|
Navigation: |
Difficult |
|
Views: |
Moderate |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
|
| Hike Stats |
|
Date Hiked: |
Monday, April 5, 2010 |
| Hike Commenced: |
5:06 PM |
| Parking Elevation: |
1,675' |
| Destination: |
Mt. Starr King |
| Ascent Commenced: |
5:06 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
6:23 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
01:17 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
1,675' |
| Summit Elevation: |
3,907' |
| Distance: |
2.6 miles |
| Vertical Gain: |
2,267' |
| Destination: |
Mt. Waumbek |
| Ascent Commenced: |
6:26 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
6:49 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:23 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
3,907' |
| Summit Elevation: |
4,006' |
| Distance: |
1 mile |
| Vertical Gain: |
239' |
|
|
| Hike Ended: |
8:35 PM |
| Hike Time Elapsed: |
03:29 |
| Hike Distance: |
7.2 miles |
| Hike Vertical Gain: |
2,628' |
|
Starr King Trail trailhead
Looking at the Northern Presidentials from near the Mt. Starr King summit
The Starr King Trail on the way to the Mt. Waumbek summit
The Northern Presidentials as seen from near the summit of Mt. Waumbek
Sunset colors as seen from Mt. Starr King
Directions to trailhead: Take Route 2 West from Gorham. Shortly after passing Route 115 on the left, take a right onto Starr King Road. Continue straight up the dirt road to the WMNF fee parking area and trailhead.
Back to Mt. Starr King Profile
Back to Mt. Waumbek Profile
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