BIGEarl
Well-known member
December 18, 2011: Waumbek
Trails: Starr King Trail
Summits: Waumbek
Hikers: Peakbagger (Dennis), Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
This hike started off as the coldest for the season so far. The temperature display on the truck showed 7 degrees at the trailhead. As planned, we met Peakbagger at the trailhead a little before our target start time, grabbed our gear, and made the planned on-trail time. We started this one with an additional layer. The first few really cold mornings are a little difficult until the body adjusts. There was one other vehicle in the lot when we arrived.
As soon as we were ready we were hiking. The lower part of Starr King Trail is generally a constant grade. This section usually kicks my butt. It doesn’t look difficult but it’s a trail where I can never find a comfortable pace. I always end up going until my heart rate is way too high, stop to idle back, and then repeat the process – over, and over. With Peakbagger out front we were immediately on the right pace. I’ve experienced this with him before. His ideal pace works great for me. In the end, we slowed down and hiked faster because there were fewer stops along the way. The climb to Starr King included only three stops (I think).
On the way to Starr King we enjoyed a beautiful hike. Down low near the old springhouse foundation, we stopped for MicroSpikes. The lower Starr King Trail is one of my favorites. The open hardwoods plus fresh snow and clear sky conditions made for terrific views of the nearby scenery. Once we started the traverse through the conifers that leads to the final pitch to the summit the trees started to load up with snow and rime. The bright white features against a deep blue sky were a real treat. This was really a fun trip to the old cabin site. Near the summit of Starr King were a couple places to get pretty nice views, mainly to the southwest and west. We had quick refreshment and then kept moving to Waumbek to keep warm. Standing around for only a short time, the cold conditions got uncomfortable very fast.
The trip from Starr King to Waumbek is short but enough to get some heat generated. We passed through the col and soon were back into that ideal pace Peakbagger has. Before long we were at the Waumbek summit cairn getting summit pictures. As usual, Sue had cookies to share and we all enjoyed a summit shot of energy. Then, Dennis asked if we had been to the Waumbek viewpoint. I didn’t know there was one. He indicated just a few paces further along from the summit was a place where there were terrific views to The Presidentials, and more. Let’s go!
Sue and I followed as he led us to the blowdown area where the views were outstanding. I know of one other time when Sue and I were in this area but that was at the end of a traverse from South Pond (Kilkenny Ridge Trail End2End) and by the time we reached this area we were working with headlights. We stayed for a while to enjoy the views but needed to move if we were to stay warm. Here we made our u-turn and started our exit hike, back out the way we hiked in.
Sue led the way back to Starr King. We moved quickly and soon managed to get back up to temperature. At Starr King we found another couple taking a break in their action. We also stopped in the warm sun. After a short time a familiar face came around the corner; Chris Daily passed through. His warm-up for the day was the Willey Range and he was now closing the day out on Waumbek. Nice to see you again, Chris. We had a brief visit and were soon back to our planned hikes.
A short distance below the summit of Starr King we found another friend. Wendy was wandering alone searching for a friendly face. She found what she was looking for when she found us. In a few minutes, Wendy got out her MicroSpikes, made a u-turn, and took her place in line. We all enjoyed a nice walk to the trailhead together. Actually, Wendy knew we were hiking Waumbek but couldn’t make our start. She came later planning to find us and hike back out with us. It was a good plan and good execution.
We worked our way through the conifers and back into the beautiful, open hardwoods. Then, all that was left was mainly a nice sunny walk down the slope to the trailhead. What a pleasant trail this is. We reached the trailhead with a couple other vehicles in addition to ours.
The conditions were still cold and it didn’t take long to get packed and get moving. Wendy said her goodbyes first and took off, and then Peakbagger soon followed. Finally it was our turn.
Thanks Dennis, it was really nice to get together for another hike. It’s enjoyable to hike in your backyard, isn’t it? You have a nice back yard. It was also terrific to see you Wendy. I think it’s been since Baxter – that’s too long. Hopefully we can get in some winter hikes together.
Thanks Sue for another terrific weekend. We’re making progress.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
Trails: Starr King Trail
Summits: Waumbek
Hikers: Peakbagger (Dennis), Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
This hike started off as the coldest for the season so far. The temperature display on the truck showed 7 degrees at the trailhead. As planned, we met Peakbagger at the trailhead a little before our target start time, grabbed our gear, and made the planned on-trail time. We started this one with an additional layer. The first few really cold mornings are a little difficult until the body adjusts. There was one other vehicle in the lot when we arrived.
As soon as we were ready we were hiking. The lower part of Starr King Trail is generally a constant grade. This section usually kicks my butt. It doesn’t look difficult but it’s a trail where I can never find a comfortable pace. I always end up going until my heart rate is way too high, stop to idle back, and then repeat the process – over, and over. With Peakbagger out front we were immediately on the right pace. I’ve experienced this with him before. His ideal pace works great for me. In the end, we slowed down and hiked faster because there were fewer stops along the way. The climb to Starr King included only three stops (I think).
On the way to Starr King we enjoyed a beautiful hike. Down low near the old springhouse foundation, we stopped for MicroSpikes. The lower Starr King Trail is one of my favorites. The open hardwoods plus fresh snow and clear sky conditions made for terrific views of the nearby scenery. Once we started the traverse through the conifers that leads to the final pitch to the summit the trees started to load up with snow and rime. The bright white features against a deep blue sky were a real treat. This was really a fun trip to the old cabin site. Near the summit of Starr King were a couple places to get pretty nice views, mainly to the southwest and west. We had quick refreshment and then kept moving to Waumbek to keep warm. Standing around for only a short time, the cold conditions got uncomfortable very fast.
The trip from Starr King to Waumbek is short but enough to get some heat generated. We passed through the col and soon were back into that ideal pace Peakbagger has. Before long we were at the Waumbek summit cairn getting summit pictures. As usual, Sue had cookies to share and we all enjoyed a summit shot of energy. Then, Dennis asked if we had been to the Waumbek viewpoint. I didn’t know there was one. He indicated just a few paces further along from the summit was a place where there were terrific views to The Presidentials, and more. Let’s go!
Sue and I followed as he led us to the blowdown area where the views were outstanding. I know of one other time when Sue and I were in this area but that was at the end of a traverse from South Pond (Kilkenny Ridge Trail End2End) and by the time we reached this area we were working with headlights. We stayed for a while to enjoy the views but needed to move if we were to stay warm. Here we made our u-turn and started our exit hike, back out the way we hiked in.
Sue led the way back to Starr King. We moved quickly and soon managed to get back up to temperature. At Starr King we found another couple taking a break in their action. We also stopped in the warm sun. After a short time a familiar face came around the corner; Chris Daily passed through. His warm-up for the day was the Willey Range and he was now closing the day out on Waumbek. Nice to see you again, Chris. We had a brief visit and were soon back to our planned hikes.
A short distance below the summit of Starr King we found another friend. Wendy was wandering alone searching for a friendly face. She found what she was looking for when she found us. In a few minutes, Wendy got out her MicroSpikes, made a u-turn, and took her place in line. We all enjoyed a nice walk to the trailhead together. Actually, Wendy knew we were hiking Waumbek but couldn’t make our start. She came later planning to find us and hike back out with us. It was a good plan and good execution.
We worked our way through the conifers and back into the beautiful, open hardwoods. Then, all that was left was mainly a nice sunny walk down the slope to the trailhead. What a pleasant trail this is. We reached the trailhead with a couple other vehicles in addition to ours.
The conditions were still cold and it didn’t take long to get packed and get moving. Wendy said her goodbyes first and took off, and then Peakbagger soon followed. Finally it was our turn.
Thanks Dennis, it was really nice to get together for another hike. It’s enjoyable to hike in your backyard, isn’t it? You have a nice back yard. It was also terrific to see you Wendy. I think it’s been since Baxter – that’s too long. Hopefully we can get in some winter hikes together.
Thanks Sue for another terrific weekend. We’re making progress.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
