Trip report
Mt. Waumbeck/Starr King
Hiking/Walk DATE: 04/15/2012 - 04/15/2012
Trip/Event Location: Jefferson, NH
US
Trip Leader(s):
Max # People: 12
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
This will be a 7.4 mile hike, over Mt. Starr King (3907 Ft. Elev.) to Mt. Waumbeck (4006 Ft. Elev.) with a total elevation change of 2386 Feet. I am estimating this hike to take roughly 6 hours.
...We will meet at the Starr King trailhead in Jefferson, NH at 10 AM.
Take 93 North to Rt 3, through Twin Mountain. Take a right on NH Rt. 115 and follow for 6.6 miles. Take a left on Rt. 115 A and follow for 1.7 miles, then taking a right to stay on Rt. 115 A for another 2.4 miles.
This will bring you to Rt. 2 where you will take a right. The Starr King Trailhead will come up quickly on the North Side of Rt. 2.
I look forward to seeing anyone who wishes to join.
Trip Report/Photos
On Sunday, April 15th, five of us met up at the Mt. Waumbek trailhead in Jefferson, NH. We were Stephen, Brooks, Gary, Kevin and Martin...along with Sonny! Because of some confusion over the trailhead and parking arrangements the group didn't all meet up in the same location until about 10:20AM. Just after this we all set out on the trail.
The cloudy skies were starting to break up at this point and it was already pretty warm out. The trail was not overly aggressive and progressed at a modest grade...but it was fairly persistent. About half-way up we started to run into the remnants of ice on the trail. We stopped, so that some of us could put on microspikes. We then continued and by about noon we were on the summit of Mt. Starr King (3907'). With the snow and ice its small clearing was hardly noticeable, but just a few yards further views of the Presidential Range were evident as well as the larger clearing with the remains of a shelter, which once stood here. The stonework of the chimney is all that is left. We took a break and enjoyed snacks and some lunch. After about half an hour we continued on towards Mt. Waumbek (4006'). The trail along the ridge was pretty easy going and before we knew we were on the treed summit (12:50PM).
We hung out here for awhile and ate the rest of our lunches. We also celebrated the completion of Brooks' NH 4000-footers on this summit, since he was going to do his final two summits alone on Monday and Tuesday. We then continued a little further along the Kilkenny Ridge Trail to take in the view. This was only about 30-40 yards further, but many hikers never think to go beyond the summit. The views south towards the Presidential Range is pretty magnificent, since you get to see all of its peaks laid out in front of you (from Madison to Pierce). After a short time here, we then headed back, retracing our steps back over Mt. Waumbek and Starr King. We reached the trailhead parking again at 3:30PM. Afterwards we all (except for Gary) headed over to Gorham to have a nice meal at J's Corner Restaurant and Lounge before calling it a day.
Thanks to everyone who joined Brooks on this wonderful day out on the Pliny Range.
There are 30 photos in Album (Note: Move mouse pointer over larger pic and click on NEXT for better viewing)
What Members Are Saying About This Trip/Event
- Congratulations Brook! and thanks for leading another 4000 footer. All psyched for summer now after such a perfect day. And never trust anyone who tells you to park behind a brown house! - wildcat
- Thanks for organizing this hike, Brooks. It was a great way to kick off the season with the warm temperatures, clear sunny skies and cool group of guys with whom to enjoy the day! It couldn't have been better! - shep5
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