Starr King Trail?

[WhiteMTHike]

I'm going to be staying in Jefferson this weekend on RT 2 so I won't be far from this trail. I've never done it before and plan to do it with my family. I'll have my 5 year-old son with me so I'm not sure if I'll take it all the way to Waumbek but I'll at least go to Mt. Starr King.

Any comments from personal experiences on this trail? Should it be suitable for a 5 year old?

Thanks.

 

[giggy]

very easy trail, I would have to say yes for the 5 year old. The terrain is cake - as long as the child can do the distance - I want to say it is about 7 r/t to Waumbek - Actually, the real gem is the starr king peak which if you blow off Waumbek its a shorter r/t. Your missing nothing by not going to waumbek except peakbagging bragging rights.

If I were taking my little chap - it starr king would be the goal.

 

[erugs]

And look for some of the history along the way, such as the logging roads crossing the trail. He'd probably think the stone well was really cool, and the chimney on the summit. Let him pick some of the snacks you guys bring, too. It's a nice hike, especially when there are views, but even when not.

 

[rocket21]

Though it is relatively easy, it still can be a workout. If I recall, it's comparable to many of the other shorter, easier 4k trails (Edmands, Crawford, A-Z, etc.).

It also comes pretty close to where a major alpine ski area was surveyed and almost built decades ago (some more information about this is available in the latest edition of Steve Smith's 4,000 Footers book).

 

[bikehikeskifish]

And look for some of the history along the way, such as the logging roads crossing the trail. He'd probably think the stone well was really cool, and the chimney on the summit. Let him pick some of the snacks you guys bring, too. It's a nice hike, especially when there are views, but even when not.

I thought they are spring houses rather than wells. The spring house was a refrigeration mechanism rather than a water source.

7 miles RT is about right - I did it during knee problems recovery w/o any problem.

Tim

 

[erugs]

Tim - Spring houses, or chambers, are cool. Pun intended.

I think what I was referring to along the trail, though, is a well. It's not something one could walk in to to retrive items. It's as deep as the gravity-feed well that was on my property in New Boston, though a bit wider around. Also there are pipes leading down the trail. I may be wrong, but I always assumed that it was a gravity fed well for one or more of the houses.

 

[peakbagger]

The lower section of the trail is a great place to shuffle along through the leaves. Not sure of the leaf condition, as my leaves just down the road are starting to fall. One plus is when the leaves fall, the views really open up. The upper section of the trail (after you bear left into the softwoods) may be a bit of a stretch for a 5 year old, as there are less distractions. Expect more than a few "are we there yets". An alternative is to take a run over to Weeks state park in Lancaster and drive up. The views are similiar and kids love the stone tower. (note non residents have to pay admission fee).

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Tim - Spring houses, or chambers, are cool. Pun intended.

I think what I was referring to along the trail, though, is a well. It's not something one could walk in to to retrive items. It's as deep as the gravity-feed well that was on my property in New Boston, though a bit wider around. Also there are pipes leading down the trail. I may be wrong, but I always assumed that it was a gravity fed well for one or more of the houses.

You are referring to these, I presume?

Upper:


Lower:


According the WMG, they are/were spring houses. I recall pipes coming down the trail, as well as a connection from the upper to the lower in these photos. I don't have my WMG here to verify, but when I captioned the photos and wrote a TR, I'm pretty sure I used the WMG's description.

Tim

 

[erugs]

That's right. Thanks for showing the pictures.

Here's an interesting web site that shows the type of chambers used for cold storage. I think some of the stone "artifacts" are just the way nature placed the rocks, but others are definitely interesting man-made structures. http://www.neara.org/index.html

What's interesting is they look for artifacts here in New England as well as reporting on ancient constructs around the world. But that's another thread...

 

[askus3]

If your child can climb 2500 feet in 2.6 miles or so Starr King is doable. Would I recommend it - NO. Not that I want to discourage you but my child when she was 5 could not differentiate bored from tired. As a result she found a trail that just was a steady and gradual up boring and thus tiring. Even I can't get excited about climbing Starr King. I climbed Starr King/Waumbek once to bag Waumbek and its done. No intention of returning when there are so many more interesting hikes in the area. If you are not achieving a 4,000 footer, why not try a far more challenging and fun hike in the area and that would be a climb into the King Ravine. Help him go into the Subway. The boulder field is a terrific playground. Personally, I think that would be far more fun and interesting for a five year old. Let him have a flashlight and poke around in some of the boulder holes. Let him look for ice (not that he will find any at this time of year). This hike is 3.5 miles from Appalachia to the foot of the headwall of King Ravine. Elevation gain is 2500 feet, about the same as Starr King. Then for a short walk/hike on the next day hike from Durand Road on the Sargent Path or the Pasture Path from Randolph Road to Lookout Ledge. From this great lookout, he can see directly into King Ravine to see where he was previously. In King Ravine he will look up at Crag Camp and you could talk to him about maybe doing a 2 night overnighter there and he could then look down at where he played in the boulders this year. When my daughter was 7, she was thrilled with Mahoosuc Notch. These are places to take a child that get them hooked on hiking. Later on they can always do the boring walks.

 

[TrishandAlex]

I'd vote for the "depends on the 5 year old" answer.

If your son is used to hiking and is of a particular mindset, then he might find it enjoyable after all.

My daughter is 5, and our first 4K was Tecumseh, this past June. The trail was boring, monotonous, and unrelentingly steep in sections. However, Alex found the challenge of getting to the top thrilling. She loved that it was a 4K -- a "grown-up mountain hike." Reaching the top -- borderline viewless as it was -- was a huge reward for enduring the endless up up up of the Tecumseh Trail. The experience completely hooked her on doing all the other 4Ks, even though the trail itself kind of sucked, we had black flies swarming around us the entire time, and there was practically nothing to see up top.

So I say it totally depends on the kid. If he likes the idea of perhaps pagging a peak that's on a grown-up list, then maybe he'd love it. Start as early as possible, pack all the right clothes, bring TONS of snacks, take a million breaks, etc.

If you're aiming for a nice, interesting walk/hike/bouldering experience, then maybe he would better enjoy something else. By the way, we've yet to do Waumbek, so I'm just writing based on others' descriptions of the Starr King Trail.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Don't forget at age 5 it is often more about the journey than the destination. If you can find leaves, and sticks, and rocks, and animal poop, and puddles, and streams, ... it can be fun. It depends on YOUR KID.

Tim

 

[NewHampshire]

And don't forget, just one experience with the Gray Jays up there will probably eliminate hours worth of boring climbing! Both times to Starr King we had the Gray Jays out en force. Bring small gorp like stuff and your kid will take away memories to last a lifetime!

Brian

 

[ctsparrow]

I agree with the precautions on assuming an 'easy hike' for a 5 year old. If they have done relatively smaller hikes and hills prior to this one, you might be okay. I have hiked my kids for almost a decade now, they really didn't begin 4000ers until age 6 or 7, and only after they did 'tryout' hikes on lesser hills. Their little legs have to take 2-3 steps for our one. At this age, i would never have them carry even the smallest pack, so this puts extra layers, firstaid, food and drinks in your pack. Also, and this may seem weird, are they prepared to pee in the woods? Little girls usually haven't mastered this fun requirement yet (an no tp used), boys are easier, but be watchful for not clearing the front of their pants adequately !! Be prepare for many stops, lots of easily accessible snacks and are we there yet, especially on the way out when there is no more target anticipation to fall back on....have fun...ctsparrow

 

[dug]

All depends on what you/they are used to. I did Mt. Flume as a 4-year via the old Flume Slide Trail. I grew up in the mountains. Your mileage may vary.

Starr King is one of the easier hikes as these go.

 

[TrishandAlex]

At this age, i would never have them carry even the smallest pack, so this puts extra layers, firstaid, food and drinks in your pack.

Regarding age and interest in the hike, I'll echo my sentiments and that of a few other posters...it totally depends on the kid.

As for packs, I'll respectfully disagree with ctsparrow, and add a huge tip:

Have your son carry a small backpack, with some extra clothes wrapped in a plastic bag, and an emergency "bivy" sack (they weigh nothing). And -- important! -- carry whistles. He needs to have two or three on him, and he needs to know where they are. You need to have two or three on you. Teach him that if he becomes lost, he is to stand still and blow that whistle over and over. Or, if he hears your whistle, he is to go to it.

That last little safety tip saved Alex one day. The first time we attempted Tom, we were caught in a lightening storm that spontanesouly formed over the Presidentials. That one was not forecasted, nor did it show up on the radar right before it hit...it literally formed over our heads. I told Alex to run down ahead, thinking I was right behind her. She turned a corner and raced down a different path before I could catch up with her. She turned around because she heard me blow my whistle. She seriously could have gotten lost if I had relied solely on my voice to call her back (which was inaudible over the lightening and wind).

Chances are, you'll have a great, fun hike (and you can always turn back if/when your son wants to, no pressure or worries for him). I just suggest being as prepared as possible for everything and anything.

The most important thing is that you're getting him out in nature. Bottom line -- who cares if you get to the top or not...as long as he's enjoying himself along the way, that's all that matters.

 

[WhiteMTHike]

Thanks to all for the advice. We did this trail and it was a huge success. My son loved it although we didn't go on to Waumbek. We did get to the summit of Mount Starr King. All in all he liked the trail especially the old remains of the spring houses. If we pushed it he could have made it to Waumbeck but he was a bit tired at that point and it was getting late.

I have to say that I was a little envious of the folks that live on Mt. Starr King RD.; talk about having a hiking trail literally in your backyard. I plan to do this trail again with him sometime and continue on to Waumbeck. But Welch-Dickey remains his favorite.

Thanks again.

 

[TrishandAlex]

Congratulations on a great hike! I'm so glad your son had a good time. Getting to Mount Starr King is a great accomplishment. I think you were right not to push him, sounds like he enjoyed himself out there and that's what matters.

If you and he would like some company the next time you do that trail, please let us know. We have yet to do Waumbek, and my daughter would be thrilled to have someone her age with us. It could be great fun.

Congrats again, Dad!!


(And Welch-Dickey is great, isn't it? What a wonderful hike with fantastic views.)