The Finale...racing the sun on Mt. Waumbek!

Trip Details

Date: March 13^th, 2015
Total Distance: 8.39 mi (via Trimble Outdoors Navigator Pro on iPhone 4S)
Total Time: 3 hours 43 minutes
Total Elevation: 2890 ft gained
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To close out the 2014-2015 winter hiking season, BishopX and I had big plans to summit Mt. Washington. Plans were foiled by BishopX having to go to a CPR rectification course in the morning and the National Weather Service forecasting winds around 35 to 45 mph above 4000 ft. This calculates out to a windchill of below -30ºF. Not really desiring to get stuck exposed in conditions like that especially when time and daylight were not on our side, we opted for the safe bet and closed out on Mt. Waumbek. The weather forecast was once again mostly wrong (except for on Mt. Washington where gusts were recording that fast).

At 1400 when we started the car thermometer temperature was reading in the high 20's at the parking lot across from Starr King Rd. About 10 minutes later after gearing up and making our way to the actual trailhead of the Starr King Trail, the thermometer attached to my bag was reading high 40's. This seemed odd, but it also seemed plausible as it was very warm and we had to lose layers before we even started.

The old well near the start of the trail.

This trail is gradual the whole way to Mt. Starr King. The view from the outlook at the old fireplace/clearing is typically the best view during this trip for most people. Mt. Waumbek is a wooded summit...or is it??? The temperature here was reading in the high 30's still and there was virtually no wind.

Mt. Waumbek

Mt. Cabot

North Percy Peak

Mt. Starr King Summit

The view of the Presidentials from the outlook on Mt. Starr King. If you did not know any better this is the only view on the entire trip.

The old fireplace.

Continuing on to Mt. Waumbek, the trail stays gradual and in no time you are on the wooded summit. Normally there is a summit cairn, but with 5 feet of snow on the summit the cairn is completely buried with no sign of it at all. The true gem of this summit is actually 50 yards further down the trail on the right. A blowdown/clearing provides magnificent views of the Presidentials! I would argue that this is one of the best views in the entire 48. The temperature had cooled down more at this point and was now in the 20's. It was comfortable enough to hang out here for a bit, take some photos, eat some food, and still stay warm.

The summit cairn is completely buried...	No evidence of it whatsoever...

The breathtaking view! Only 50 yards away and missed by so many. Take note of that single cloud above Mt. Jefferson.

Northern Presidentials

Southern Presidentials

Mt. Madison

Mt. Adams

Mt. Jefferson

Mt. Washington

Mt. Monroe

Mt. Eisenhower

Mt. Pierce

Mt. Jackson and Mt. Webster

Bretton Woods, Zeacliff, the Hancocks, and the Osceolas.

Zeacliff and the Osceolas.

Me

BishopX trying to push Mt. Jefferson just a bit higher than Mt. Washington.

Finally, we started our descent. I tried butt sliding, but the trail was just too gradual so I only got a few very short bursts the entire trip down. When we returned to Mt. Starr King, it was interesting to see Mt. Washington doing what it does best and creating its own microclimate. The clouds were getting larger by the minute. It was really neat to see. Over on Mt. Waumbek/Mt. Starr King we just had blue skies and sun.

Those clouds would continue to get bigger as we stood there.

We made it back to the car with plenty of time to spear as the sun still had over an hour until sunset. We had hoped to go big, but instead got to close out with some amazing views. The beast of the east shall have to wait for another year!

Bought a new battery pack case for the iPhone 4S. Thought it was fully charged and was wondering at what percentage it kicks in at. Come to figure, it was dead! I thought it came fully charged, but I forgot that I left it on to test it out. Oops! Thankfully, it was a short hike and the old iPhone 4S battery stayed warm enough in my pocket that it could handle the trip on its own.