Mount Waumbek day hike

This day hike involved going up the Starr King Trail to the Mount Starr King and then to Mount Waumbek and returning the same way.

Parking area - 1,620' Mount Starr King summit- 2.5 miles - 3,907' Mount Waumbek summit - 3.5 miles - 4,006' Mount Starr King summit - 4.5 miles - 3,907' Parking area - 7.0 miles - 1,620' Total distance round-trip - 7.0 miles Total elevation change - 2,386' Trail map - 712 x 455 - 259K

The starting point for this hike was the small parking area at the end of Starr King Road in Jefferson.

This was to be my first winter 4000-footer. We started this hike a little late, around 9:30, but it was a short hike and not a big deal. It was VERY cold at the trailhead at the start, only 0°F, so the later start at least had it a little warmer less cold. It was -12°F up on top of the peaks. Luckily there was plenty of sunshine and no wind to speak of.

600 x 450   1024 x 768 Signs at the trailhead 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Tom gearing up 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Pam gearing up 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Starr King Trail 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Tom & Pam 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Pam 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Frosty Bob 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Frosty trees

We were only about a mile into the hike before Pam gave up. Her feet had been cold from the start and they were not warming up. She insisted that Tom and I continue to the top without her though and said she would return to the car and head into Jefferson to warm up and then meet us back at the trailhead. I think Tom and I stopped briefly once more and then not again until we got to the top of Mount Starr King.

600 x 450   1024 x 768 Old fireplace on top of Mount Starr King 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Tom on top of Mount Starr King 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Snow plastered trees on top of Mount Starr King 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Critter tracks on top of Mount Starr King 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Critter tracks on top of Mount Starr King

We stopped for about 10 minutes or so on top of Mount Starr King for some photos and snacks. When we started moving again my hands were very cold and they took about 10 more minutes to warm up. We made very good time from there across the ridge to the summit of Mount Waumbek.

600 x 450   1024 x 768 Tom on top of Mount Waumbek 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Tom on top of Mount Waumbek 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Bob on top of Mount Waumbek 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Snowy trees on top of Mount Waumbek 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Snowy trees on top of Mount Waumbek 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Snowy trees on top of Mount Waumbek 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Tom on top of Mount Waumbek

We only spent a few minutes at the Mount Waumbek summit before turning arond and literally racing back to Mount Starr King. I stopped to take a few more photos there but we did not waste any time and continued the race down from Starr King and back to the parking area.

600 x 450   1024 x 768 Back at the Mount Starr King summit 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Back at the Mount Starr King summit

I stopped briefly to take a few more photos on the way back down but we made very good time getting back.

600 x 450   1024 x 768 Old cistern 600 x 450   1024 x 768 Starr King Trail

When finally got back to the parking area Pam was there and she had hot coffee waiting for us. Now THAT'S a friend! Thanks Pam!

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