With my gear figured out and a successful summit behind me, I headed out to Mount Waumbek (4006′) with a flood of excitement. Here, I finally felt free to let my mind wander and immerse myself in the experience—to be fully present, take it all in, and hear myself think. The subconscious became conscious, and I felt more firmly connected to the reasons that had drawn me to this journey in the first place. Along the way, I passed over Mount Starr King, a scenic peak known for its iconic fireplace remains and stunning views of the Presidential Range.
Starting Out
It was an early start to the day and before I reached the trailhead, I pulled over on the side of the road in Jefferson to catch the early morning sunrise lifting over an open field. The road was empty, and the sky felt like a gift, cooked up special for the hike about to unfold. To get to Waumbek you have to cross over the summit of Starr King first, which is on New Hampshire’s “52 With a View” list. The “52” are a set of smaller mountains that offer you a beautiful view without having to ascend a 4000-foot peak, and I was excited to get the chance to see one.
Mount Starr King
At the summit of Starr King stands an old stone fireplace—the remnants of a cabin that once stood there. Even on a cold January day, it gives the summit a welcoming feel, as do the views. The featured image at the top of the page captures a bit of the open terrain and mountain landscape that greets you upon arrival.
Summit of Mount Waumbek
At the summit of Waumbek, I rested on a log in what felt less like a mountain summit, and more like a tranquil forest with perfectly spaced trees. The earth was quiet. I listened and it listened back. There are few moments, if any, that I can remember being more at peace in the mountains than this one.
Mount Waumbek Ascent Details
Route (Out and Back): Starr King Trail
Elevation Gain: 2,654 Feet (Including the trek over Starr King)
Miles to Summit: 3.6
Total Distance: 7.2 Miles
Trailhead Location: The Starr King Trail is in Jefferson, NH.
Exploring Mount Waumbek: Trail Reports & Peakbagging Resources
After Mount Tom, I would highly recommend ascending Mount Waumbek if you are looking to climb the 4000-footers in the winter. The grade is very manageable, and easy on the feet. On this hike I wore snowshoes the entire time and I didn’t have to work too hard, the way you do on some trails where the snow fills in so frequently that you can get stuck breaking trail. If you are looking for more resources on Mount Waumbek, these are a few helpful sites:
- Peakbagger.com – Mount Waumbek – A great place to track your 4000-footer progress, log summits, and see detailed elevation data.
- The Mountain Wanderer – Steve Smith writes a blog reporting on climbing conditions in New Hampshire and is the owner of The Mountain Wanderer Bookstore in Lincoln.
- AMC Trail Maps – It’s always a good idea to have a reliable map.
For images of other 4000-footers, you can find them all here: 4000s by 40 Visual Companion
Want to read more about the 4000-footers and the adventure they bring? 4000s by 40 is an exploration of the mountains and the reasons that compel us to climb.
Peace on Waumbek