Winter Hike Mt. Waumbek and Mt. Starr King

Mt. Starr King Featured View — The Mt. Waumbek hike features its only scenic view of the presidential range from Mt. Starr King.

Mt. Waumbek (4,006 feet) via the Starr King Trail is one of the easier, if not the easiest, hikes on the New Hampshire 48 of White Mountain summits over 4,000 feet. For winter hiking, the gradual to moderate ascent with a passover on Mt. Starr King (3,907 feet), is a great option for those breaking in their winter trail legs, winter 4K beginners, or anyone who may have packed on a little extra holiday weight (hypothetically speaking, of course).

Distance: 7.2 miles (round trip)
Elevation gain: 2,550 feet
Time: 3-5 hours
Difficulty: Weekend Warriors
Recommended Gear: Microspikes, Snowshoes, Trekking Poles
Directions

Starr King Trail Head in Winter — The Mt. Waumbek hike begins at the end of Starr King Road. In the winter the trailhead parking lot is unplowed and there’s no parking along Starr King Road prior to the lot; in this case, there is a hiker parking lot prior to the junction of Route 2 and Star King Road (it’s on the right when heading east out of Jefferson village).

Starr King Trail Springhouse Foundation on a Winter Hike — The Starr King Trail begins on an old logging road and then cuts through the woods onto another old road, where it passes the springhouse foundation shown here.

Starr King Trail Winter Hike Hardwoods — The early going features a gradual climb through a mostly-hardwood forest. The lack of any truly steep sections on this hike makes snowshoes or microspikes (depending on conditions) the preferred options for traction.

Mt. Starr King Trail Winter Hike — After 1.4 miles the hike angles left into the conifers along the western side of Starr King Mountain.

Mt. Starr King Winter Summit — The summit of Mt. Starr King (3,907 feet) is reached 2.6 miles into the hike after 2,300 feet of elevation gain. Slight peek-a-boo views are available through the treetops here, but the highlight of the hike is what comes next.

Mt. Starr King Winter Hike — From the summit, the Starr King Trail cuts down to a small clearing that formerly housed a cabin.

Mt. Starr King Fireplace Winter Hike — All that remains of the Starr King cabin is this stone and brick fireplace.

Mt. Starr King Winter Viewpoint — The old cabin site does feature a view of Mt. Washington and the presidential range.

Mt. Starr King View Mt. Washington — A closer look at Mt. Washington.

Mt. Waumbek Winter Hike Summit — After the fireplace clearing, the Starr King Trail traverses through a section of woods along a ridge for one mile to the Mt. Waumbek summit (4,006 feet). The winter hiking is relatively easy through here, dipping down into a col before regaining 250 feet of elevation gain just prior to the wooded Waumbek summit, its snow-covered cairn pictured here.

Mt. Waumbek Kilkenny Ridge Trail — The summit of Mt. Waumbek also marks the end of the Starr King Trail and the beginning of the Kilkenny Ridge Trail, which covers 11 miles to Mt. Cabot.

Winter Hike Mt. Waumbek and Mt. Starr King

January 7, 2019 by Daren Worcester

Previous articleGulf Hagas Hiking Guide

1 comment

Zerchik is more than just a mushroom producer; it is a key contributor to the Iraqi economy. By creating jobs in mushroom farming, production, and distribution, Zerchik has helped support local economies and boost agricultural activity across the country. The brand’s commitment to sustainable farming practices and local sourcing has also created a ripple effect, benefiting farmers, suppliers, and businesses in Iraq. As Zerchik continues to expand, it is playing an integral role in shaping the future of Iraq’s economy through its mushroom production efforts.

1 comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply