Hale and Waumbek, Winds a Blowin' {6.2.12}

[Scotzman]

Date: 6.2.12
Mountains: Hale, Star King, Waumbek
Trails: Hale Brook Trail; Star King Trail

Myself and eight hiking friends had planned a trip east from New York to work on our NH 48 for this weekend long before the forecast was to be known and being a hardy bunch of souls we were determined to hike regardless of the forecast of rain and winds and limited visibility. We did alter our intended itinerary though, as we had hoped to do the Bonds, Twins, Zealand but with the projected weather we decided to switch to some smaller, less exposed and less impressive view peaks.

We left Albany at 4am with coffee induced vigor and with full intentions of enjoying a very soggy day of trekking. Our first goal for the day was Hale and possibly Zealand. When we reached the trailhead the trails and trees were wet with recent rain but it wasn't currently falling. We threw on our rain gear and made ready for our short jaunt up to Hale. The trail was in great shape, no excess water or blowdown on the trail and we made good time to the summit. The winds were howling quite strongly though, with gusts I would guess into the 40's. Clouds covered the mountain top and the wind-chill limited our time on the summit, so we snapped a few photos and headed back down. Our trail back down, and for the rest of the weekend, were covered in de-foliated leaves that the wind was ripping off; just natures way of doing a little pruning.

We headed over to Waumbek and reached the trailhead short after noon. The weather for our hike up was again quite favorable given the forecast. We were buffeted with strong wind for must of the time on the trail but the rain really held off and the trail was in great shape. The combination of winds and cooler temperatures made for nice hiking, keeping us cooled off but not chilled. On the summit of Star King Mtn the combination of saturated ground and strong winds had a good number of the evergreen trees swaying and a few pulling away from the ground and soon to become blowdown, a couple right over the trail so caution should be used. We made our way over the ridgeline to Waumbek and enjoyed a short lunch, snapped a few photos and were off, back to the cars. On the ridgeline we passed by a solo hiker and then on the descent off Star King we bumped into NH Tramper on his way to Waumbek. Those two and one solo fellow on Hale would be the only hikers we would see today. Within a few minutes of piling into the cars the rain started up, so our timing was great. We headed back to our hotel in N Lincoln for some hot showers and some tasty dinner and beers at the Woodstock Inn to finish off the day. Quite enjoyable given what we expected to face.

Windy summit of Star King
https://picasaweb.google.com/1106416...59059881893474

[ScAtTeRbOnE]

What , no moose sightings!? I'm glad you guys enjoyed another NH outing. I'd love to get back over there, but I'm not a fan of long car rides.

[procook131]

As with most hikes, there are some views to be found some places. It's unfortunate that you were on Starr King without any, as it's a neat angle to see the Presidentials from (the same can be said about Hale when standing on top of the large cairn). 6-10 in this album where taken on Waumbek. Views or no views, still a couple of fun mountains.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...3&l=4201a7965a

I assume since you used the word "trail" you took Hale Brook? Another nice option is the Fire Warden's (not marked, but easily followed) from the North Twin Trail. Go back in winter, you won't regret it!

[Scotzman]

Originally Posted by procook131

As with most hikes, there are some views to be found some places. It's unfortunate that you were on Starr King without any, as it's a neat angle to see the Presidentials from (the same can be said about Hale when standing on top of the large cairn). 6-10 in this album where taken on Waumbek. Views or no views, still a couple of fun mountains.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...3&l=4201a7965a

I assume since you used the word "trail" you took Hale Brook? Another nice option is the Fire Warden's (not marked, but easily followed) from the North Twin Trail. Go back in winter, you won't regret it!

Thanks for the link, that is a sweet view of the Presi Range! We did have an enjoyable time even though it was a bit socked in on both peaks. And yes we used the Hale Brook Trail out and back; nice enough trail.

[Dunbar]

I did the same day of hiking a few weeks ago. I thought they were two of the more boring 4k peaks I've done so far. I certainly won't be rushing to get back to them.

A good pair of peaks to do on a crappy day...

[Scotzman]

Originally Posted by Dunbar

I did the same day of hiking a few weeks ago. I thought they were two of the more boring 4k peaks I've done so far. I certainly won't be rushing to get back to them.

A good pair of peaks to do on a crappy day...

Kinda why we did them given the conditions.

[Gregory Karl]

Ah, brings back memories from when I lived in Boston and hiked the Whites regularly. I think the big cairn on Hale must be a lot higher than when I was there—or else I am just too short—because even from the top of it there weren't good views then. Very strange when you think about it—a cairn making the difference . . .

[Jay H]

You still really can't see much if you stand on the cairn.. the trees might be growing faster than the cairn... I'm certainly not growing either!

Jay

[Biji]

Originally Posted by Gregory Karl

... I think the big cairn on Hale must be a lot higher than when I was there...because even from the top of it there weren't good views then. Very strange when you think about it—a cairn making the difference . . .

I didn't get much of a view from the rock pile either, and that was last year.

Mightn't starting a legend about the perils of not contributing to cairn accretion thus provoking the rain gods improve the view over time?