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This trail is the usual access to Mount Waumbek so you are following in the footsteps of nearly every NH peakbagger. On the way up, it passes a formerly-fine viewpoint on the peak named for the 19th Century notable Reverend Starr King so many gentry went up here in the late 1800's. It is also a segment of the Cohos Trail which runs the length of Coos County and is marked with infrequent CT signs.
Distance: To Mount Waumbek summit, about 3.6 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 2500 feet on the ascent, 200 feet on return
Maps:
USGS Pliny Range
AMC North Country - Mahoosuc
Location: White Mountains/Great North Woods Region
NH 2003-2004 map F-7
DeLorme NHA&G 48-G2/3 - Jefferson/Kilkenny
The trail is located W of Gorham and NE of Franconia Notch
Trailhead: End of Starr King Road which leaves US Route 2 about .2 miles E of junction of NH Route 115-A in Jefferson village, elevation about 1700 feet
N 44.4192, -71.4646 W (WGS84)
From I-93 exit 35 N of Franconia Notch, take US Route 3 N about 13 miles to NH Route 115. Turn R on NH Route 115 and follow it about 6.5 miles, then turn L on NH Route 115-A and follow it about 4.0 miles to its end at US Route 2. Turn R on US Route 2 and follow it .2 miles to
Starr King Road on L with hiker symbol, go up this narrow gravel drive. At .1 miles, angle L uphill at fork, at .2 miles turn R off former route of trail (now growing up) on newer woods road and soon reach a widened parking lot.
Far End: Summit of Mt. Waumbek, elevation about 4006 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: Randolph Mountain Club
Special regulations: NA
From the parking lot, continue ahead on the woods road 100 yards, then turn L on a path into the woods which climbs back to rejoin the historic trail route on the woods road you drove up. The Starr King Trail follows the woods road up the valley, then at .4 miles turns right and climbs to the ridge. After wandering up the ridge, the trail begins a long sidehill section to the L about a mile long to just below the summit of Mount Starr King, then zags back and climbs steeply to the summit where there are overgrown views. The trail next descends a short distance to a clearing at 2.6 miles where a fireplace is all that remains of the former shelter. There are S views here.
The trail then enters the woods and descends slightly, before aiming for Mount Waumbek. The trail does not remain on the flattish ridge but wanders both S and N of it so the route may be hard to follow if covered by leaves or snow. Finally the trail ascends the ridge and passes over a knoll before reaching the summit of Mount Waumbek at 3.6 miles, marked by a small cairn and trail signs.
The Kilkenny Ridge Trail continues ahead from here over Mount Cabot to South Pond, and the Cohos Trail leads all the way to Canada. Purist peakbaggers may wish to continue .2 miles to the E summit of Waumbek which current maps show as equal in height. Just before this bump, there are views between the trees of Weeks, Terrace, and Cabot with The Horn just peeking out.
Parking lot not plowed in winter and it will probably be impossible to create a space without interfering with one of the many driveways. Free public parking is available in Jefferson village .2 miles W on US Route 2.
There may also be a large temporary lot signed "Trails Parking" on US Route 2 about 50 yards W of Starr King Road.
The lower part of the trail is usually packed out by locals out for exercise, but the tracks may not continue all the way to the summit of Starr King much less Waumbek.
Map Notes: The USGS map does not show the new parking lot or the Kilkenny Ridge Trail.
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