Elevation gain: 3050'
Trails used: Eyebrow Trail, Old Speck Trail (Appalachian Trail), Mahoosuc Trail.
It's been about two years now since I first told Desi that we would do this hike. So we picked this weekend to finally get Old Speck done since we were not going to be taking part in FOT48 (Flags on the 48). We knew the weather was not going to play nice (the forecast was cold, windy and with possible rain later in the day) so we decided to take our chances and off we went. Along the way, we happened to pass by the Skookumchuck Trail as the Hike-NH group was getting ready to depart so we stopped to meet the guys taking part. It was nice to meet everyone and put faces with names.
Old Speck is located in Oxford County, Maine and is the fourth highest peak in Maine. It is also the highest peak in the Mahoosuc Range (roughly 27 miles) which runs from Mount Hayes in Gorham, New Hampshire to Old Speck in Maine.
We drove into Grafton Notch to begin the hike at the parking area off of ME 26. When we arrived there were several thru-hikers preparing to head off, and we passed roughly 20+ other thru-hikers on the way up.
Old Speck is on the Maine 4000 footer's list, the New England/Maine 100 Highest and New England 50 Finest List.
After we parked this is the initial view of the Eyebrow cliffs from the parking area off of ME 26 in Grafton Notch, Maine.
The junction for the Eyebrow Trail and Old Speck Trail, that is about 0.1 miles into the hike from the parking area.
A hiker ahead of us on a steep cable handrail section of the Eyebrow Trail, which we decided to take as a variation in the hike to the summit of Old Speck.
You cross this rock slab complete with iron rungs set into the rock and a ladder at the end to help you climb off of the slab. This could be nasty when its wet or icy.
Another steep section of the Eyebrow Trail with iron rungs set into the steep terrain.
The Eyebrow Trail is nicely blazed in orange and easy to follow as it climbs steeply, then moderately for the hike to connect to the Old Speck Trail.
Our first views from an overlook along the Eyebrow Trail, looking into Grafton Notch with Sunday River Whitecap (center) and Puzzle Mountain (left).
Views up towards the summit of Old Speck from some ledges along the Eyebrow Trail.
East and West Baldpate Mountains, which the Appalachian Trail traverses on its way to Mount Katahdin in Maine.
A "small" bump we would have to traverse on our way up to the summit of Old Speck.
Since we are on the Appalachian Trail now, it wasn't too hard to follow. We would pass quite a few groups of thru-hikers and encouraged them onwards.
Views into New Hampshire from one of the bumps along the way on the Old Speck Trail.
The Old Speck Trail has quite a few PUD's but its part of the Appalachian Trail so it makes it worth it to hike (maybe not so nice on your knees on the way back down).
The summit ridge of Old Speck is getting closer.
The Baldpates with West-West Baldpate below West Baldpate and above Table Rock.
The junction of the Mahoosuc Trail and Old Speck Trail. It is only 0.3 miles to the summit area of Old Speck.
Looking to the Baldpate Mountains from the cleared view point on the summit of Old Speck. This was taken from the ground, not on the observation tower.
Baldpates (left), Record Hill Wind Farm (dead center), Mount Blue (tall peak in the background), Jackson Mountain (above West Baldpate) and Mount Abraham/Spaulding/Sugarloaf , background far left.
Mahoosuc Notch, the toughest part of the Appalachian Trail flanked by Mahoosuc Mountain (right) and Fulling Mill Mountain (left). Goose Eye is above Fulling Mill Mountain and Mount Success to the right of that. The Presidential Range is in the clouds in the background.
Views of Sunday River Ski Area in Bethel, Maine. It is one of the largest ski area's in Maine.
East and West Baldpate from the observation tower on Old Speck.
The only person that remained on the summit decided to go up the tower after I did. Here he is going down. I had to psyche myself out to go back down.
The observation tower on the summit of Old Speck (elevation 4160'). I am afraid of heights and it took all my nerves to climb this ladder which is pretty straight up and down. Add the cool air and windy conditions and it made it that much worse (for me).
Taken from a lookout ledge from just below the Mahoosuc Trail looking back down the ridge that we hiked up and now had to do in reverse.
Desi walking down the Old Speck Trail and passing a blow down area. That's quite a bit of chainsaw action that took place to clear this section.
A few of the waterfalls (not flowing very well today) along Cascade Brook.
A nifty little bog bridge that is placed over a slippery slab section of the Old Speck Trail.
Back at the Eyebrow Trail and Old Spec Trail junction and almost back to the car now.
The weather managed to hold up just fine, albeit a bit too cold for it still being summer. There was no rain and we still managed to get views so it wasn't that bad of a day. The only bummer was the long drive, there and back. Hey, it was out first Maine 4K peak though so we aren't complaining.
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