Trip report

4180' Old Speck

Hiking/Walk DATE: 10/14/2018 - 10/14/2018

Trip/Event Location: Grafton Notch/Newry, ME
US

Trip Leader(s):

Max # People: 8

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Pleasant, basically moderate fall hike from Grafton Notch to the flat wooded summit of Old Speck Mt, Maine's 3rd highest peak, where there is a viewing platform, converted from an old fire tower. ...
Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at: Take Me RT26 north out of Newry, Maine. A well signed parking lot is on the left at the height-of-land (that's what the guidebooks always say) in Grafton Notch. This is also the AT crossing and is 2.7 miles beyond Screw Auger Falls. Trails start on the north side of the parking lot. I have a Nissan frontier 4X4.
Trip Report/Photos
Featured Photo I could see the top of Old Speck as I drove rt26 into Grafton Notch covered in what I thought was hoar frost, but Jeff could see the high peaks of the Whites from his home and mentioned they were snow covered. Cool start with the trail covered w/the leaves from a just beyond peak season. Took the Eyebrow Trail option as the first 1.1 miles which was steep, dramatic w/cables as handholds up rock slabs, iron rungs as foot stabilizers across seeping granite, maybe not always for the faint of heart. Jeff assured us that though we were much impressed by his stories of a winter hike of this trail, it was actually easier w/ crampons across packed snow and ice. Temps dropped as we ascended and we were well clothed and could add layers. Quite a few hikers, however, started in shorts and stayed in shorts. I did not believe a single rationalization for the comfort and reasoning of such a choice that any of these folks told me. A really high spirited group of guys from the Bucksport soccer team w/coach were doing the climb as part of a breast cancer fund raiser. They had each secured pledges and were proudly wearing pink t-shirts and socks. The approach closer to the summit was icy in spots, none of us took a fall, and the extraordinary beauty of snow covered trees. Lunch at the summit. I chose to climb the viewing platform up a vertical metal runged ladder. Incredably windy but 360° views. My promised thermos of hot chocolate was only mildly warm chocolate, but I meant well. Saw the trail maintainer on the way down as well as a late season AT northbounder who said in Rangeley he was heading to Katahdin to come south. He was excited. A beautiful hike marked w/easy conversation and continually beautiful trail. Thanks to Jeff and Paul.

- The Trip Has No Photos -

Members That Participated

mecyclingrunner

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


LEWISTON, ME


United States
<
Hiking, backpacking, camping or vacation adventures, GayOutdoors [GO] has been the LGBTQ outdoorzy community leader for the last 22 years. We are an informal group of diverse hiking enthusiasts in the United States with a shared love of the mountains who prefer hiking with friends. We invite you to join us on our hikes, to post hikes for other members to join you and to share your hiking photos, stories and advice.

Become A Member

If you find it invigorating to hike along a mountain trail with friends not knowing what’s just around the corner, to get some fresh air, to stop and soak in the views on a summit, and to soak your feet in a mountain brook after a hike, give us a try!

BECOME A MEMBER







Powered by Ecomsolutions.net - ColdFusion Experts