Summits: Mount Starr King and Mount Waumbek
Trail route: Starr King Trail to Starr King and Waumbek
Trail conditions: Mostly dry trail with wet rocks and roots at the higher elevations
Weather: Warm with some humidity, cloudy skies and sunshine
Total miles: 7.2 RT
Total time: 3:50
Hike summary: With a warm and humid day in the forecast I was once again looking for a short hike and early start. Mount Waumbek was at the top of my list of hikes that I wanted to do in September. This hike would complete my goal of hiking this summit in every month of the year.
I got to the trailhead and was the second car to arrive. I was on the trail just after 6:00 AM. It was a very humid hike to the summit of Starr King that brought me up into a misty cloud cover. There would be no views today. A quick stop for a photo at the fireplace and I continued on to Waumbek.
It was actually a little cooler and definitely more tolerable hiking across the one mile ridgeline. This is actually one of my favorite sections of trail in the White Mountains. It felt and looked like this area had received some recent rain as it was very wet and water was dripping from the tree limbs. I was quite wet when I reached the summit of Mount Waumbek. I had the summit to myself.
A few pics and I started my hike back. I didn't see another hiker until I had passed back over Starr King and was making my descent. I had a good hike down and returned to the parking lot in under four hours which was my goal at the beginning of the hike.
Mount Waumbek is not my favorite summit but it was always a good foul-weather hike. The trail is well protected, it's a relatively short and an easy hike as well as a short drive for me. I have now hiked to this summit in every month of the year in a variety of trail and weather conditions to include heat, cold, rain, snow and ice. It's been fun and now on to gridding out 47 more summits!
Enjoy the photos!
Early start to beat the heat and humidity
Hiking up into the mist
Short ledge before reaching the summit of Starr King
Summit of Starr King
Have now visited the fireplace on Starr King in every month of the year
On my way to Waumbek
Bluebead lily
Tree full of Old Man's Beard
My turn around point on Mount Waumbek
A slug enjoying the warm and humid weather
Mossy roots
Returning to Starr King
Common yarrow
Dead nettle
Starting my descent from Starr King
Mushrooms are enjoying the weather
Hiding in plain sight
A heavy cloud cover made for a dark walk in the woods
Moss covered log
Trail starts to brighten up
This burl makes a good seat
Turkey tail mushrooms
Funky fungi
A unique burl and one of my favorites
Always a nice reflecting pool
Sun is coming out from behind the clouds
Passing by the stone foundation of the old spring
Fungi design on the end of a log
Asters
It was another great day for mushrooms
I have now hiked Mount Waumbek in every month of the year
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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