03//15
Old Speck 4180′
Old
Speck trail (Out&Back)
11:30 – 3:30
7.5 Miles
With plans of finishing out single season NH 48 on Sunday Lucy and I look to keep ourselves loose with a change of scenery in Maine. Jason Beaupre leads us to Grafton Notch to the AT and the trail up Old Speck. Our Saturday in Maine wod be quite the memorable one as we make for our first 4000 footer outside of New Hampshire and the anticipated start to my New England 67 list.
Jason had a late night. He bagged Isolation between 9 and 1:30 the night before. We were to meet in Gorham for 10. He was right on time. Abby drove up with me. General Patton and Abby went to conway. Lucy and I got in with Jason in his truck. We started away to Maine. It was an overcast afternoon on the drive to the trailhead. The ride went quickly. Once we had our things together in the parking lot we started on our way.
The trail had a good pack. We started out in micro spikes. The trail starts out steep as you pass the eyebrow. We decided to stay on the trail that goes around the large face of rock.
After a bit of climbing the trail diverted. We took a moment to relocate the proper trail. We put on snow shoes at this point. A little ways up the trail in opened up on a small ridge.
A little further and it really started to open up.
At last we came to the last junction of of the AT. The trail goes .3 from the junction to the summit of Old Speck and the lookout tower. The ladder was a blast in the high winds of the summit. Lucy cried from below as Jason and I climbed to the top of the tower. I did not keep her waiting too long…
We stayed on top for a snack and a quick moment. We flew down. The entire trip took around 4 hours. We were back in the Shire in no time.
The whole trip at 7.6 miles was a great first hike in Maine. With this hike I am now officially at 49 on my New England 67 list. With one challenge ending there is always another to take its place. Should be a great spring to be out on the trails!
Before spring is over Lucy and I have one more hike to get in before the fever sets in. Our next hike of Carrigain looks to be a blast with snow in the forecast. Winter isn’t quite over yet…
Views of the Shire 
I think you passed my GF and I on the way up. The wind was a bit much once we got up on the ridge. We decided the prudent thing to do was go back down out of the wind. Nice view from up there.
Yeah I remember it was very windy. Kind of nerve racking to be on that fire tower. It was a great introduction to Maine.