Twelveyearold donn fendler steps away from his boy scout troop for only a minute, but in the foggy mountains of maine, a minute is all it takes. Twelveyear old donn fendler steps away from his boy scout troop for only a minute, but in the foggy mountains of maine, a minute is all it takes. The mountain, the fourthhighest in the state, is the northeasternmost and highest of the mahoosuc range, the northeasternmost part of the white mountains. Jun 09, 2012 we had previously hiked to table rock, an outcropping on the bald pate mountain side of the notch, and wanted a view from the old speck mountain side. Based on the true account of a boys harrowing journey through the vast wilderness of the katahdin mountains, lost on a mountain in maine is a gripping survival story for all ages. Amc guide to hiking trails of maine, featuring baxter state park amc hiking guide series only 1 left in stock order soon. From little newry, a foliage roadtripper can set out for the jawdropping highlakes vista at height of land on route 17, an hours drive north, the imposing mound of old speck, maines fourthhighest mountain, in grafton notch state park on route 26, 10 miles northwest. Alliance for automotive innovation, sky lotus trading co, williams quail hunting, the stove guy, the famous kearney squirrels, maine house republicans, air force thunderbirds, u. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Named katahdin by the penobscot native americans, which means the greatest mountain, it is located within northeast piscataquis, piscataquis county, and is the centerpiece of baxter state park. The mountain, the 4th highest in maine, is the northeasternmost and highest of the mahoosuc range, the northeasternmost part of the white mountains.
Old speck mountain is a 4,170 foot mountain located in the mahoosuc range in oxford county, maine. Between old speck 4180, maines third highest peak and mahoosuc notch on the highest pond in maine. The most convenient trailhead for old speck is the at trailhead in grafton notch state park. The white mountains also include the franconia range, sandwich range, cartermoriah range and kinsman range in new hampshire, and the mahoosuc range straddling the border between it and maine. The wright trail begins by allowing hikers to choose their own adventure. Old speck mountain, also known as old speckle mountain, is a mountain located in oxford county, maine, united states. Baldpate mountain is a mountain located in oxford county, maine. On july 16, 2017, dad did a solo hike daughter had a planned visit to aquaboggan of old speck mountain 4,270 ft, a fairly strenuous 7. Flanked to the southwest by mahoosuc arm and faces baldpate mountain to the northeast across grafton notch. Hike eyebrow trail to old speck mountain loop, maine 26. Happy late earth day, heres an old pic from a few years back when i summited twice on both peaks of the baldpate mountain range. This is a challenging trail that takes about three days but can be broken down into smaller sections.
Speck pond shelter and campsite to baldpate leanto shelter 6. Between old speck 4180, maine s third highest peak and mahoosuc notch on the highest pond in maine. Old speck is the highest point in oxford county and the third highest mountain in maine, and it is also the only 4000foot mountain in the county. Backcountry terrain here can be rugged, and the 3,000acre state park includes twelve of the most challenging.
Hiking up the steep summit trails rewards hikers with spectacular views, particularly on old speck mountain which at 4,180 feet is maines third tallest mountain. Old speck mountain in maine and willoughby notch in vermont were easily recognizable. This is a challenging trail that takes about three days but. Old speck is in grafton notch state park and we started at the appalachian trail parking lot. Grafton notch is a magnificent mountain pass in southwestern maine, a short drive from gorham, nh, the last major trail town that appalachian trail thruhikers visit before leaving new hampshire. Old speck mountain in oxford county me old speck mountain area. The summit of old speck mountain is on the southern boundary of grafton notch state park. The halfway point of the hike is at speck pond, and if you decide to hike the loop in a counterclockwise rotation, you might want to rest at the ponds campsite because this means youve hiked. Old speck is the tallest and northernmost mountain in the mahoosuc range which stretches for 30 miles across the mainenew hampshire frontier. Old speck mountain and eyebrow loop maine trail finder. Check out my book before reality tv, gps devices, and dashboard computers, there was a coming of age for the maine warden service.
Old speck is a three hour drive for me, but the closest maine 4000footer. Ascended old speck via eyebrow trail to appalachian trail and descended via appalacian trail. A small part of the scenic white mountain national forest is located in this area. Old speck is the 4th highest mountain in the entire state of maine. Old speck mountain in oxford county me old speck mountain.
It is also part of the eastern white mountains that stretch from new hampshire to maine. The old speck trail in grafton notch state park encompasses a 3. The eyebrow trail is quite steep at parts and was a little sketchy when i tried to descend that way, hence going back around and down old speck. The western maine lakes and mountains region spans most of maines western border with new hampshire. Located in grafton notch state park, old speck provides some nice hiking on the at and exceptional views of the white mountains and presidential range from its firetower. The 2,000mile appalachian trail passes through the park on the way to the trails northern point, mt. In all, there are 48 peaks within new hampshire as well as one old speck mountain in maine over 4,000 feet 1,200 m, known as the fourthousand footers. The largest cities in the region are lewiston and auburn. Use maine trail finder to track all your trail adventures. It is the third highest mountain, at 4180 feet, in the state. Grafton notch is one of maines most spectacular recreational areas, rife with cascading waters, swimming holes, mountain peaks, and abundant trails. White mountain national forest east presidential range. Traversing the bear river, sunday riverwhitecap and miles notch, this part of the trail ends on the summit of old speck mountain at its junction with the mahoosuc trailat.
Search a growing database of fourseason trails to find the right trail for your next adventure. Several hiking trails extend through this spectacular, scenic area at the end of the mahoosuc range. Jan 04, 2017 old speck mountain is the most accessible of the 4000 footers in mainer, aside from saddleback via the ski trails. Old speck mountain is a 4,170 foot mountain in the mahoosuc range in oxford county, maine. Old speck mountain would be number 56 on my new england hundred highest list. The trail is only recommended for very experienced adventurers and is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and snowshoeing. The appalachian trail, which runs from georgia to maine, is within 0. Old speck in grafton, commonly so called to distinguish it from the speckled mountains in stoneham, maine, and in woodstock and reading, maine, is one of the highest peaks in the state, with an altitude of 4,250 feet according to a recent state survey. The region consists of oxford county, androscoggin county, franklin county, as well as northern york and interior cumberland counties. Winter hike the old speck trail in grafton notch state park. The long parallel with goose eye brook and eyepopping scenery of goose eye mountain and the mahoosuc range make it a great getaway. It is a fitting conclusion for anyone completing all nine second nature hikes. The western half is a mile stretch, beginning on route 26, south of the eastern halfs trailhead.
Drive one mile and turn left on upper mast landing road. There is a large parking area on the west side of route 26 in grafton notch state park. According to the 1921 edition of amcs white mountain guide, the mahoosuc range trail was cleared by the department of trails in the years 19181921 from shelburne to old speck. In hiking, tags day hikes, hiking, hiking maine, ne 67. Cannon mountains aerial tramway a fun ride to the top.
Backpacking old speck mtn and the west grafton loop. The trail takes you to the summit of old speck mountain and a fire tower where you can get panoramic 360 degree views. Maine appalachian trail club me which winds through the forest up the mountain, with there are some amazing viewpoints along the way. Bear left onto me26 and follow it for 12 miles to grafton notch state park. The mahoosucs are just to the northeast of the famous presidentials in the white mountains region of new hampshire. It is a steep, tall massif formed from a granite intrusion weathered. Browse interactive trail maps, trail descriptions, pictures, and trip reports. Hike maine 4,000 footers new england 4000 footers hike nh. Detailed 6 day mountain weather forecasts for climbers and mountaineers planning expeditions. Every day offered the potential for an exciting new adventure, many of which endangered the wardens lives. It was a treat to see the whole franconia range stretched out in front of us at nearly eye level.
Interactive map and hikes by region hiking in maine. Hike maine 4,000 footers new england 4000 footers hike. You dont have to use logging or camp roads to get there, the parking lot is plowed in winter and the length of trail to the summit is relatively short. Old speck mountain is the most accessible of the 4000 footers in mainer, aside from saddleback via the ski trails. A side trail breaks left and follows goose eye brook for a ways before rejoining the main trail, which begins on an old woods road. Mountain climbing weather forecasts for 2 elevations of old speck mountain, mahoosuc range, appalachians, united states. Firewardens trail me new englands lost hiking trails. Hike old speck mountain maine new england 4000 footers. O ld speck mountain, the northeastern terminus of the mahoosuc range, has long been a popular hike along the appalachian trail. Six new tent platforms of varying sizes nicely situated along the a.
Today dawned as another beautiful, sunny day, perfect for hiking. Jan 07, 2019 the grafton loop trail offers a great taste of backpacking in maines rugged mountains. I took my time and went from rangeley to stratton, with a side trip to abraham, a short detour to sugarloaf summit, and a harder than expected bushwhack to redington from the at. Hey meb, i did the maine 4000footers as a backpacking trip in october of last year. Table rock affords great views of old speck mountain and the notch for those willing to make the climb. Our first objective was old speck mountain, reached by a very steep, but short amount of trail. Hiking up the steep summit trails rewards hikers with spectacular views, particularly on old speck mountain which at 4,180 feet is maine s third tallest mountain. Old speck is flanked to the southwest by mahoosuc arm, and faces baldpate mountain to the northeast across grafton notch. Map and location information for old speck mountain in maine. Compared to the venerable trails just over the border in new hampshire, the grafton loop is relatively new. Screw auger falls, spruce meadow, mother walker falls, old speck mountain, and moose cave. Forest service white mountain national forest, dale crafts, the bowtie shopcorvette restorations, elhs red eddies hockey, the ben shapiro. Old speck is the tallest and northernmost mountain in the mahoosuc range which stretches for 30 miles across the maine new hampshire frontier.
From bethel, maine, follow rt 2 east for 6 miles to newry. We had previously hiked to table rock, an outcropping on the bald pate mountain side of the notch, and wanted a view from the old speck mountain side. May 29, 2018 according to the 1921 edition of amcs white mountain guide, the mahoosuc range trail was cleared by the department of trails in the years 19181921 from shelburne to old speck. From freeport, leave main street and turn onto bow street, in front of l. Riding the tram is a great way to get a mountain summit experience. The amc maine mountain guide is widely recognized as the definitive trail guide to the mountains of maine.
The grafton loop trail in grafton notch state park is a 61. We started this ambitious section with our first entry in march 2018, and will build on the entries. Ten great snowshoe treks in maine stories and adventures. Maine trail finder is a free online resource that promotes active outdoor recreation in the state of maine. Beginners guide to adventures on maines highest peaks. Aug 22, 2018 old speck mountain in maine and willoughby notch in vermont were easily recognizable. The old speck trail very quickly hits an intersection with the eyebrow trail. Hike goose eye mountain via the wright trail in maines. There are many scenic areas and short walks in the area. Here, evidence from the last glaciation is everywhere, and in cludes scoured bedrock, speck pond tarn, erratic boulders and even the massive carved valley of grafton notch.
It is the highest mountain in the range, and the 4th highest mountain in the state of maine. Apr 20, 2017 the grafton loop trail in grafton notch state park is a 61. Backpacking old speck mtn and the west grafton loop section. Topographic mapnational geographics trails illustrated map of white mountain national forest east provides unparalleled detail for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to enjoy the yearround recreational opportunities the park has to offer. It is also part of the eastern white mountains that stretches from new hampshire to maine. Extensive restoration ongoing, lots of rockwork and transplanting in the overused areas. Grafton loop trail backcountry campsites appalachian. Winter hike the old speck trail in grafton notch state. Day 199 trail journals, backpacking and hiking journals. The trail is rated as difficult and primarily used for hiking, walking, trail running, and nature trips. Old speck trail is a challenging hike with spectacular views from an open observation tower at the summit. The ascent up eyebrow was fairly difficult without microspikes because the steep trail was covered in slick snow and ice. The full loop didnt open until 2007 after a major collaboration between private land owners, the state of maine, and several conservation groups, including the appalachian mountain club amc and. I recommend going up the eyebrow trail and then going back down the old speck trail.
Old speck mountain via appalachian trail maine alltrails. I took a thursday off of work i had to give two weeks notice and was lucky enough to have a beautiful day. Expertly researched and created in partnership with local land management agencies including the appalachian. The leanto was rebuilt in 1978 and faces away from the pond due to the prevailing wind. Backcountry terrain here can be rugged, and the 3,000acre state park includes twelve of the most challenging miles along the whole appalachian trail at. How simple the job sounds, as read from a guidebook. Old speck mountain is one of the summits in oxford county, me and can be found on the old speck mountain usgs topographic quad map. Easy family outing through the pines and fields of coastal maine with a stop at an old mill.
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