Mount Starr King - Mount Waumbek (NH) 3/24/2018

Mount Starr King - Mount Waumbek

Location: Jefferson and Kilkenny, New Hampshire
Mileage: 7.3 Miles
Elevation Gain: 2600 Feet
Trails Used: Starr King Trail
Views: 180 from Summits of Mount Starr King and Mount Waumbek
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Lists: Mount Waumbek : AMC NH 4000 Footers/AMC New England 4000 Footers/NE 115 4000 Footers/AMC 100 Highest/NH 200 Highest/NH 300 Highest - Mount Starr King: NH 52 WAV

I didn't have the urge nor energy to go hiking the week before, so I decided I wanted to get out for a hike Saturday. My only concern would be that I would need to do something on the quick and easy side as I needed to get to our March AMC Four-Thousand-Footer committee meeting we have before the annual awards ceremony next month in April.

Brian messaged me a few days prior saying that Renee and Amy wanted to do Mount Isolation, so that would be a no go for me, based off of time to get to the hike and distance of the hike. Next idea, he messaged me and asked about Mount Waumbek. At first, I didn't think it would be good idea logistically (based off of the reasons listed for Mount Isolation) but after some thought, I changed my mind and decided to go with that choice.

I met Brian and Renee at the exit 23 park in New Hampton and then it was a quick drive north to meet Amy and a few friends of Renee's at the trail head parking area in Jefferson, New Hampshire. We geared up and then crossed US Route 2 to get to the trail.

The summer trailhead parking area for the Starr King Trail. The usual parking area here was not plowed out so we had to park in the winter lot on US 2 and walk up Starr King Road.

We came upon this old well along the Starr King Trail, which used to be an old logging road.

The Starr King Trail was packed out by snowshoes, and very easy to follow.

I remember this section of the Starr King Trail the first time I hiked it several years ago in winter. The trees covered in snow made it look like a snow tunnel.

When we got to the summit of Mount Starr King, elevation 3915 feet, people were taking pictures of this Northern Cardinal which was eating leftover trail mix.

The views from the summit area of Mount Starr King looking towards Mount Washington and the Presidential Range, hiding in the clouds.

Brian on top of the fireplace remains that are all that is left of the shelter that used to be on the summit of Mount Starr King.

Mount Waumbek, our next destination, about one mile away hiding behind the trees.

We dropped down off of the summit of Mount Starr King and made our way over to Mount Waumbek. The snow along the Starr King Trail was a bit soft in this area so most of the group had snowshoes on at this point.

The summit area of Mount Waumbek, elevation 4011 feet, which is definitely buried under deep snow based off of how tall the sign is.

Panorama from the view area just below the summit of Mount Waumbek.

Brian, Renee and Amy at the view spot just below the summit area of Mount Waumbek.

Brian and I at the viewpoint on Mount Waumbek. Maximum nerd selfies.

After one last rest stop on the summit of Mount Starr King, we made good time heading back down to the car.

Nice day for a hike with good company. The conditions were perfect enough for winter hiking and the trail was hard packed enough not to wear snowshoes. Views weren't bad for winter considering. I was still able to make it back home to make the committee meeting call.

Mount Starr King is the highest point in the town of Jefferson, New Hampshire and is located in the Pliny Range.