MOUNT STARR KING/MOUNT WAUMBEK WINTER HIKE

Via Starr King Trail. Approx 7.2 miles out and back. Includes Mt. Starr King.

-10 F at the trailhead, 16 at the Waumbek summit with negligible winds in the trees making it 5 F wind chill, 22 F back at the truck.

Sunny. A blue bird day!

Trailhead: 9:20; Waumbek Summit 1:00; back at truck 3:20 [Approx. 6 hours]

A “lowly” gem. On the 4,000 footers list, it hardly makes the grade. On our list, it more than justifies its existence!

Congrats to Keith for making it up his first winter 4,000 footer!

No, you won’t break yourself if Waumbek is your first 4,000 footer. It’s as easy as they come. Maybe a bit long, if one compares it to some of the other “gateway” mountains like Welch-Dickey, Monadnock, or the Belknaps. But for any of the 4,000 footers, this one certainly sits on the easier end of the list. The only thing that might be “hard” is that it’s a bit of a drive. Yes, Tecumseh is closer for most people. And yet, Tecumseh feels a lot more arduous. Waumbek’s slopes felt a lot gentler.

There was something about Waumbek, and its neighbor Cabot, that reminded me of the woods where we live. The understory just felt very similar. It’s winter now, so that understory is gone for the time being, but the mountain felt even more like home. It has a very easy path to its summit; welcoming, even beckoning. And you get a magnificent prize, even before you get to the top: the summit of Starr King has an unbridled view of the northern Presidential Range. Wow!

The day saw of five of us hiking and near the summit of Starr King ran into Long and his buddy. There were perhaps a dozen or so other kindred spirits on the mountain. There were solo and duo hikers. It never felt crowded. Maybe it’s the fact that if you’re hiking in winter, you suffer from a unique form of insanity, and others share it, too. Doesn’t matter: we met a lot of really nice people today, which is part of the magic of the trail!

Waumbek feels like the place I could hike often if I lived nearby. It had all the feeling of a well-worn flannel shirt; comfy, friendly, almost familiar. It’s an almost hidden gem that has a lot to offer. And that drive isn’t that bad. Just a little further than some of the other mountains, and closer than the rest, actually. We’ll be back!  

Trip Report: Mike Boisvert
Photos: Jon Normand and Mike Boisvert

A moderate climb through fine woods reaches Mt. Starr King and Mt. Waumbek with fine views of the Presidential Range!

The trail is generally fairly easy all the way up, with moderate grades. At 2.6 miles we’ll reach the Mt. Starr King [3907’] summit with a partly cleared view near a former shelter of the Presidential Range. We follow the ridge crest for another mile to reach the summit of Mt. Waumbek. Mt. Waumbek wooded summit [4,006 feet] doesn't offer views, but just past it there are fine views of the Presidential Range from a blowdown patch.

Stats: 7.2 miles, 2800' gain.   

Depending on the conditions in early February, appropriate gear should include: insulated winter boots [NOT your regular hiking boots!!], MicroSpikes, wind/rain proof outer layers, wicking layers [no cotton], wool hat, gloves, handwamers, water, lunch, etc. We may need snowshoes, but that will depend if we’ve had a snowstorm the week prior to the hike.  

If you have any questions, please reach out to me in advance.

Dinner afterward: You are welcome to join us for dinner at our house afterwards. We ask $10 to cover our food costs. Bring your own wine/beer and warm up next to our fireplace! You are welcome to use our showers [towels provided] so bring a change of clothing.

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house [with Wi Fi] near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and/or Saturday nights. It's $25 for Friday night, $35 for Saturday that includes dinner or $60 for the weekend. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. Space is limited so email ASAP to reserve a bunk!