MTS STARR KING AND WAUMBEK

Today GayOutdoors hiked up to Mt. Starr King and Mt. Waumbek on this beautiful day! We started at 9AM in cooler temperatures that warmed up during the day. We encountered a few people either going up or down but it was not crowded with this being one of the most northern 4,000 footers.

The trail itself does not have any slabs and not much rocky terrain making it a pleasant ascent! The trail itself is not steep so we made good time. We went through a beautiful hardwood forest. We enjoyed feeding the Canadian Blue Jays on top of Mt. Starr King.

The skies were clear for views including seeing Mt Washington to the north from both peaks. We made friends with a couple on the summit of Mt. Waumbek. He was backpacking and continued on to Mt. Cabot while his wife chatted with us on the way down. Near the end I took a quick detour to capture these beautiful cascades!

Jon made a delish supper of Sirloin Steaks, grilled Zucchini & Peppers, green beans, potato salad and garden salad. We ended with a yummy lemon cake topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Everyone who opted out missed a great meal!

Overall Mt. Starr King and Mt. Waumbek was a great hike for just a few hours of hiking time! We’re glad we enjoyed a smidge of Labor Day Weekend with our GayOutdoors friends!

Come along for a hike up one of the northernmost 4000 footers in New Hampshire! We'll be taking the Starr King Trail up to Mt. Starr King and then continuing over to the summit.

At 7.2 miles round trip and ~2700 feet of elevation gain, this route features some local views, plenty of forest and Starr King's famous chimney remnant. It is nothing short of a great NH 4K hike. 

Mt. Starr King [3,907 feet] view of the Presidential Range is starting to get grown in but by moving around we can still get the grand perspective. Mt. Waumbek [4,006 feet], now has the better view of the two, from a blowdown patch, a bit past the summit.

We will meet at 9 AM.  We’ll be using Mt. Starr King trail up and back. We’ll be hiking up a moderate grade with one steep pitch.  

Bring sturdy shoes/boots, water, snacks, lunch and most importantly, your sense of adventure!  Dress in layers and appropriately for summer weather in the White Mountains such as a windbreaker/raingear (just in case).  Pack bug repellent and sunscreen and anything else that you may require.

Social Mixer: Following the hike, everyone is welcome back at our house in Waterville Valley to hang out for a couple hours alongside the Mad River for swimming/sunbathing, socialize around the deck and enjoy a BBQ! It's BYOB and it costs $10 per person. Bring your swim trunks/towel. We have to cross the shallow Mad River to reach our sandy beach so bring sandals or old sneakers; FLIP FLOPS WILL NOT WORK TO CROSS THE RIVER! 

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at our house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and Saturday night. Its $25 dollars Friday night and $35 Saturday that includes BBQ. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have 4 bunks available so the first 4 guys that contact us to reserve will get one; and let us know which night[s] you’ll be lodging with us. You’re on your own for dinner Friday night but you’re welcome to use our kitchen facilities to cook!