Cairn and geologic survey tag off to . It was a beautiful, clear day (as you can see from the photos) and the conditions were manageable. The climbing is steep and relentless but I felt great on the climb up. From the top, you can see for 50 miles in almost every direction- all the way to Mt Washington! The Appalachian Trail runs along the Mahoosuc Range 0.3 miles west of the summit of Old Speck. Maine Appalachian Trail Hike Day 2 1/2: Old Speck Mountain We love Maine and have been waiting patiently to tackle their 14 4,000 footers throughout this COVID-19 pandemic. And when you're […] The sites were fairly . Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Old Speck is also the N. terminus of the Mahoosuc Trail. It's always fun climbing towers though. Flashback to July 1998 with FFLA member Bill Spach at Horse Mountain Fire Tower in Baxter State Park. Maine offers some of the most remote and spectacular backpacking on the East Coast. Climbing the fire tower on the summit. State Park Vistas - The Maine Mag Six new tent platforms of varying sizes nicely situated along the A.T. as it rises away from the pond. Old Speck Mountain Courses - XpCourse 4.4 miles. 15 of the 55 towers still standing are open to the public, including 3 in Franklin and Oxford counties. Grafton Notch State Park has something for everyone, making it one of the best places to elope in Maine! There is a small caretaker cabin located a few hundred feet south of the fire tower. Maine Fire Lookouts - State Listing Page Maine departments battle woods fire near Grafton Notch ... Another guy set up a hammock between a tree and the fire tower leg. Approx. Unfortunately no view from the base of the tower. Old Speck Mountain - Eyebrow Trail, Old Speck Trail - 6-24 ... A short side trail runs off of the Appalachian Trail to the summit. Old Speck Mountain currently features multiple hiking trails, as well as a makeshift summit shelter and fire tower frame. Speck Pond is on the south side of Old Speck Mountain, a huge 4000 footer with a fire tower at the top. It is the highest mountain in the range, and the 4th highest mountain in the state of Maine. Old Speck which lies in the Mahoosuc Mountain preserve is in sight (There is a tower on Speck), and you may have heard of the toughest mile on the Appalachian trail is Mahoosuc Notch…cool stuff. Grafton Notch is a beautiful place and the hike up to the summit of Old Speck was quick and had some really pretty outlooks along the way. At the summit was a clearing with a fire tower. There are 360 degree views from top of the fire tower at the summit and a total 6.6 miles of hiking with 2847 feet of . Hunter Fire Tower - highest FT in Northeast? - ADKHighPeaks The climb down to Speck Pond campsite was also tougher than I expected. From the fire tower, there are 360-degree views of the snow bedecked mountains, lakes, and forests. Abram mountains. At the summit there is an old fire tower with a round (straight up) wrung ladder. On Top of Old Spec On the morning hike from Speck Pond campsite to the summit of Old Speck, the rain and wind were blowing something fierce. There is a fire tower on the summit to get a better view, since the summit is pretty wooded and only offers views in one direction. Quotes " Willy Schaeffler, ski coach at the University of Denver, made the inspection. Old Speck Trip Report - Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust The whole time I was in shorts, and if I kept moving, it was tolerable. I even saw the Baldpate we walked over this morning! A larger lean-to in a beautiful location. Hike Eyebrow Trail to Old Speck Mountain Loop. The trail is only recommended for very experienced adventurers and is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and snowshoeing. Climbing the tower; View from the top Old Speck Mountain, ME: Trails: Eyebrow Trail, Old Speck Trail: Date of Hike: Thursday, June 24, 2021: Parking/Access Road Notes: Great parking lot. At the summit, reached by a 1.4-mile trail, is an old fire tower that offers views of Tumbledown Mountain and Little Jackson and Big Jackson Mountains. Share The Inspiration. I had climbed Old Speck last summer with my friend Trevor so I knew what to expect. Old Speck Mountain Trail is a 7.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Newry, Maine that features a waterfall. I went left on the blue blaze side trail of the Appalachian Trail to reach the summit of Old Speck Mountain. 44.570866 N -70.953929 W. United States. . There is a large parking area on the west side of Route 26 in Grafton Notch State Park. The way up Old Speck is quite challenging and is also part the Appalachian Trail. I would have preferred rain pants and gloves. Day 2 1/2: Old Speck Mountain Day 3: Baldpate Mountain . Old Speck . Radio Operations: At the top of Old Speck is a fire tower that makes an excellent spot to conduct radio ops. Old Speck Mountain, also known as Old Speckle Mountain, is a mountain located in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Pleasant Mountain via Bald Peak Trail, Fire Wardens Trail, North Ridge Trail, Su. Unless you're afraid of heights, I recommend the climb for the best 360° views and photo opts! Cloudy with a descending ceiling. At the summit of Old Speck, we looked out over the Grafton Forest lands, stretching out to the west to form a magnificent viewshed for the AT. An easy loop that's admired by so many. As best I can figure it, USFS was involved in fire lookout in the WMNF as early as the 1920s, these towers gradually became unstaffed . Newfound's CITs climbed New Hampshire's Mt. The watchman's trail during this time was a brutal straight-up route. 2018-10-25. 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. A popular destination during the summer months, it is also open for winter hikes. It has a fire tower on the summit, offering some of the most incredible views in the area. Welch Mountain, 2,605 ft; Dickey Mountain, 2,734 feet. Day 2 1/2: Old Speck Mountain Day 3: Baldpate Mountain . Old Speck Summit -70.95371, 44.57084 The forested summit of Old Speck is in contrast with the mountain's bald neighbors. After about an hour of scrambling up loose rocks, my friend Rachel and I reached the end of the . Old Speck Mountain via Appalachian Trail is a 6.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Newry, Maine that features a great forest setting. There was a fire tower I climbed and got a full 360-degree view! Eric Wight had the honor of being the last one to hold the job. (Spectacular view, high wind, report later.) Old Speck Mountain; Old Speck Mountain seen from Eyebrow Trail: Elevation: 1,270 metres (4,170 feet) Prominence: 830 m (2,730 ft) Listing: New England 4000 footers #13 New England Fifty Finest: Location; Location: Oxford County, Maine, USA: Range: Mahoosuc Range: Coordinates You can climb the Old Speck fire tower which gets you above the forested summit. Thornton/Waterville Valley, NH. Occasional light glaze of ice on the trail. After a nice lunch at the summit, head back the way you came, only this time, follow the AT all the way back as the descent is a bit easier than going down the Eyebrow Trail . No campfires - cookstoves only. Great fall hike, other than the slippery leaves. The Grafton Loop Trail between the summit of Old Speck and the northern Route 26 parking lot coincides with the Appalachian Trail. Fire Tower After a quick pitstop at the brand new Speck Pond Shelter we got to the Old Speck Mountain Summit and took a 0.3 side trail to a firetower. . It is #73 on the New England Hundred Highest hiking list.. One of these was my father, Daniel Wight, who was born literally in the shadow of the mountain at the Wight homestead in North Newry. I am posting an excerpt from a manuscript of a bok about fire towers in New England. I enjoyed some lunch and dried out some gear in the welcomed sunshine. The tower was removed the next year in 1999. . The mountain, the fourth-highest in the state, is the northeasternmost and highest of the Mahoosuc Range, the northeasternmost part of the White Mountains. I was on a mountain today in the WMNF that had the footings of an old fire tower. I was on a mountain today in the WMNF that had the footings of an old fire tower. I took this pic of my buddy on the fire tower from Old Speck Mountain. Once you reach the top, there is a fire tower to climb for ideal 360 degree views of the surrounding area. Old Speck once had an active fire tower, which has now been refurbished to provide 360-degree views of the surrounding area. Grafton Loop Trail. 4 day trip in Maine doing a short shakedown section hike. 11 comments. From here, enjoy the outstanding panoramic 306 degree views of the area. Thanks to my late start I had the place to myself. Old Speck Mountain, Grafton Notch, 1914 (replaced . A parking lot for day hiking use but there was this cool AT sign near the trailhead. hide. AMC caretaker on site. Between Old Speck (4180', Maine's third highest peak) and Mahoosuc Notch on the highest pond in Maine. The view from the fire tower overlooking, essentially, everything we'd hiked the previous two days. A small observation tower was built on its summit in the last ten years and provides spectacular views in all directions from the lofty Presidentials to the south to the jumbled, nameless peaks of northwestern Maine to the north. Of 155 fire towers once standing in Maine, two are still active and 15 are open to the public, offering a sense of a watchman's . To the South: An easy to see landmark to help with orientation are the windmills on Jericho mountain to the south; To the right of Jericho is Mount . . We stopped for lunch at the intersection with the "Eyebrow Trail." 29 degrees, light breeze. Maine. At a little over 3 miles there was a trail Junction. Old Speck Mountain. share. A larger lean-to in a beautiful location. Old Speck which lies in the Mahoosuc Mountain preserve is in sight (There is a tower on Speck), and you may have heard of the toughest mile on the Appalachian trail is Mahoosuc Notch…cool stuff. Speck Pond is located about a mile below the mountain's summit on the Appalachian Trail. . 84. Two parking areas on Route 26 provide easy access to the trail, making this a great loop hike. View From Old Speck Mountain Fire Tower Looking South Towards Mahoosuc Notch and the White Mountains Reached Maine today at 11:25am but with difficulty. One wikipedia entry said it was second to a FT in Maine (Avery Peak) but I've since read that tower was Climbed via the Old Speck Trail from Grafton Notch. The fire tower is no longer used for fire spotting. The fire tower at the summit of Old Speck provides panoramic 360 degree views. We set a good pace though and were soon at the fire tower on the . Snowshoeing to Old Speck. Ascending Maine's third highest mountain (fourth highest peak) at 4,180 feet, the trail itself has 2,700 feet of elevation gain featuring stop-and-stare scenery with steep climbs that will get your heart pumping and intermittent plateaus to catch . The trail is rated as difficult and is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips. It was a beautiful, clear day (as you can see from the photos) and the conditions were manageable. . There's a lean-to shelter and tent platforms there, and I remember camping under a tarp during a violent thunderstorm, helplessly watching the water pool on the tent platform boards and head in the direction of my sleep insulation. Chocorua and Owatonna's Chiefs tackled Old Speck Mountain—a 6.6 mile hike with a fire tower at the top to make the views even more impressive. The mountain, the fourth-highest in the state, is the northeasternmost and highest of the Mahoosuc Range, the northeasternmost part of the White Mountains.Old Speck is flanked to the southwest by Mahoosuc Arm, and faces Baldpate Mountain to the northeast across Grafton Notch. 7. Maine Fire Tower Links and Updates: Regular updates and information on Maine Fire Towers can be found on the Forest Fire Lookout Association Maine Chapter Facebook Page.The main timeline page is public and can be read without a Facebook account. Speck Pond is roughly 1,000 feet below the summit of Old Speck at 3,400', and is stocked with brook trout for fly fishermen annually. Six new tent platforms of varying sizes nicely situated along the A.T. as it rises away from the pond. save. As best I can figure it, USFS was involved in fire lookout in the WMNF as early as the 1920s, these towers gradually became unstaffed . The Baldpates are visible to the north, the Mahoosuc Range and Presidential Range of New Hampshire can be seen to the south. Old Speck is the highest point in Oxford County and the third highest mountain in Maine, and it is also the only 4000-foot mountain in the county. The trail is broken into two sections—western and eastern—with Route 26 dividing the sections. A steep and steady ascent from Grafton Notch led to great views from the summit tower. Climbing the fire tower on the summit. Posted by 3 years ago. The wind didn't help my nerves at all as I neared the top. For more information about this book and New England fire towers, go to www.firetowers.com. Mount Pisgah has a 60 foot fire tower at the summit. Legendary views from legendary ledges! The range's highest peak, 4,170 ft Old Speck Mountain, is the fourth-highest peak in Maine. From the top of the tower, we can see Mahoosuc Notch, part of our hike for today. #43 Mahoosuc Range Mountain Range Elevation: 1270 m Updated: 2020-01-07 The Mahoosuc Range, a northern extension of the White Mountains, straddles the border between New Hampshire and Maine. Baxter State Park is a mecca for backpackers, with the centerpiece being Katahdin, the most alpine (and arguably most . Close. The trails continues over Slide Mountain and up to Old Speck where a fire tower provides some great views. It brought to mind some other WMNF peaks with abandoned towers or their remains--Osceola, Hale, Garfield, Carrigain, Old Speck, etc. The Old Speck Fire Tower. The guthooks guide had a few comments saying the views were amazing but it was a bit too hazy out that day for those to be true. Tim and I hiked up to the summit where there was an old fire tower. At the summit there is a fire tower. They look like they're trying to keep from laughing while holding a mouthful of water, but really they're just clinching at the cool wind whipping by. From route 26 in the Park, the AT (Old Speck Trail) runs south to the Mahoosuc trail and then a short spur takes you to the summit of Old Speck where a fire tower provides spectacular 360 views. Schaeffler could not comment on his . I don't love heights so climbing the ladder up the tower wasn't my favorite but I was fine once I got up there. Since Old Speck Mountain is located close to the border of New Hampshire and is isolated from the rest of the Maine 4,000 footers, we thought it would be a great one to start with. On day one, we started off by climbing Old Speck Mountain, the massive 4000 footer on the south side of Grafton Notch. We had a group of ten set out on the A.T. - destination, Old Speck, the fifth highest mountain in Maine and the highest until the A.T. reaches Crocker Mountain. I just might fall off the mountain altogether. Via Welch-Dickey Loop Trail. If you are looking for a more difficult hike, you can hike 7.5 miles to Old Speck Mountain. The wind didn't help my nerves at all as I neared the top. It was beautiful. I just might fall off the mountain altogether. Archived. Fortunantely, some kind souls decided to provide a fire tower at the top of Old Speck which offers a full 360 degree panorama. And to round out the week of day trips, many of Owatonna's Warriors kayaked in Portland's harbor out to Fort Gorges, where they explored a Civil War . Speckled Mountain (2906′) is the site of an old fire tower in Evans Notch, just inside the Caribou-Speckled Wilderness Area in the White Mountain National Forest. My first success. Old Speck Mountain, also known as Old Speckle Mountain, is a mountain located in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Is the Hunter fire tower the highest FT in Northeast? I took this pic of my buddy on the fire tower from Old Speck Mountain. Our group . No campfires - cookstoves only. Old Speck, at 4,180 feet, is the tallest and northern-most mountain in the Mahoosuc Range that stretches for 30 miles across Maine and New Hampshire. 360 degree views as far as the eye could see. Total Mileage: 2.4 Miles Parking area and Trail head Directions 44.95188, -70.79169 Total rise: 948' Facebook Hike Time: 2.5 Hours My Pintrest Weather Hikes by region Significance: Fire tower, views East Coast Fire Towers Printable Map Here is some of what you need to know: Additional parking can be found at 44.96271, -70.78904 Check out nearby Coos Canyon Campground. OLD SPECK MOUNTAIN - Elevation 4,144′ (1263m) "Old Speckle" Mountain is the fourth highest in the state of Maine, and the highest in the Mahoosuc Range near the New Hampshire border. I headed out dropping first to Speck Pond. It was a lot of climbing down, and 1.1 miles took us about an hour as we slowly picked our way down. 1940 AMC White Mountain Guide Old Speck (4,250 ft.) Fire-Warden's Trail (MFS) Old Speck in Grafton, Me., commonly so called to distinguish it from the "Speckled Mountains" in Stoneham, Me., and in Woodstock and Reading, Me., is one of the highest peaks in the State. Maine fire towers: By the numbers. A Facebook account is still needed if you would like to post and participate in conversation. report. #2 Mahoosuc Range Mountain Range Elevation: 1270 m Updated: 2020-01-07 The Mahoosuc Range, a northern extension of the White Mountains, straddles the border between New Hampshire and Maine. Old Speck reigns supreme in the Mahoosucs rising 2500 feet above Grafton Notch and Maine State Route 26. Yesterday was also hot and humid. Extensive restoration ongoing, lots of rockwork and transplanting in the overused areas. Old Speck Mountain is a 4,170 foot mountain in the Mahoosuc Range in Oxford County, Maine. We watched a couple hikers brave the frozen rungs to get up there…and stare into the clouds. Another guy set up a hammock between a tree and the fire tower leg. At the outlet I treated some water. Mount Pisgah is really not much of a mountain, but rather a hill on one of the many low ridges in central Maine. The suMMit is nice and sunny, so you can hang out there for a while. The trail takes you to the summit of Old Speck Mountain and a fire tower where you can get panoramic 360 degree views. There's more to that story. It's a classic. Old Speck Mountain | Grafton Notch State Park. Extensive restoration ongoing, lots of rockwork and transplanting in the overused areas. Old Speck Mountain - 4,170' Old Speck Mountain has an observation tower on the wooded summit that provides excellent views of Grafton Notch. The first climb of the day was up Old Speck Mountain to the fire tower. He was to evaluate the potential ski racing terrain at Bigelow, Sugarloaf and Mt. Unlike its neighbors including Baldpate Mountain to the east, Sunday A frosty fall morning atop Old Speck Mountain. . When I left Gorham yesterday and got back on the trail right away it felt like I pulled a muscle in my leg. Between Old Speck (4180', Maine's third highest peak) and Mahoosuc Notch on the highest pond in Maine. The summit is wooded with limited views but an old fire tower offers an excellent 360-degree view. GRAFTON TOWNSHIP — Fire crews Tuesday morning will resume battling a large woods fire off North Road near Silver Stream and . 97% Upvoted. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The view from the fire tower overlooking, essentially, everything we'd hiked the previous two days. Oxford County. It was more rugged terrain and rock climbing to the summit, which was actually very fun, and I enjoyed the fantastic views of the Maine wilderness surrounding me. To the South: An easy to see landmark to help with orientation are the windmills on Jericho mountain to the south; To the right of Jericho is Mount . We had a group of ten set out on the A.T. - destination, Old Speck, the fifth highest mountain in Maine and the highest until the A.T. reaches Crocker Mountain. Our group . The Grafton Loop is a rugged 38-mile trail in Maine that can be hiked in 2-4 days. The summit has a fire tower that offers incredible 360 degree views on a clear day. I could see way down to the notorious Mahoosuc Notch. Substantial parts of the range are publicly owned as parts of the National Park Service Appalachian Trail corridor . The trail descended a bit before rejoining the Old Speck Trail and climbing again at a consistent but never excessively steep rate. Smarts Mountain Fire Tower, New Hampshire. A great introductory hike to everything Maine has to offer. From here, the trail meets up with the AT. AMC caretaker on site. It brought to mind some other WMNF peaks with abandoned towers or their remains--Osceola, Hale, Garfield, Carrigain, Old Speck, etc. The famed '100-mile Wilderness' section of the Appalachian Trail does not cross a single paved road, nor does it pass through any towns. Photo by Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust. It's a steep climb, gaining 2850′ feet in 3.8 miles. Old Speck Trail (7.6 miles round trip, advanced) : Old Speck Trail is a challenging hike with spectacular views from an open observation tower at the summit. On the summit, a short side trail leads to a fire tower, offering more fantastic views. Worth the ladder ordeal. Hiked together with the above-treeline Blueberry Ridge Trail, they provide unsurpassed views of Mt Washington, the East, and West Royce Mountains, and the Baldfaces, from a . (Spectacular view, high wind, report later.) Old Speck Fire Tower, Maine. While it was sunny, the wind was blowing hard and cold, and I wished I'd brought gloves for the climb. It is also part of the Eastern White Mountains that stretches from New Hampshire to Maine. Though the shortest and most common way up Old Speck is via the Appalachian and Eyebrow Trails from the Grafton Notch Parking lot, my favorite way is the way that traverses Mahoosuc Arm and loops . The only downside was the swarms of black flies swarming around the summit. 7.8 mi / 3000 ft gain Maine fire towers: Vigilance, history, and views to last a lifetime. The Old Speck Trail in Grafton Notch State Park is a near-perfect hike for intermediate hikers. The girls atop the fire tower on Old Speck Mountain. * * * * My previous post mentioned a summer hike on Mount Sugar Loaf overlooking Denali National Park. . A view from the fire tower atop Old Speck Mountain in Grafton Notch. At the top the views again were outstanding. Description From the parking area in "The Notch" take the AT: Maine Appalachian Trail Club (ME) a short distance until you reach the junction with Eyebrow Trail . Fifty years ago (1959) Maine closed the fire watch tower on the top of Old Spec Mountain and abolished the position of fire watcher. Old Speck Mountain Trail. It is a fitting conclusion for anyone completing all nine Second Nature hikes. Fire tower on top of Old Speck Mtn. I never expected to revisit Speck Pond after hiking the section of the Appalachian Trail from Grafton Notch down to Gentian Pond in 2009. Then it was down some 2,500 feet to Grafton Notch. There is a small observation tower on the summit to give you even better views from the Presidentials to the south and the forested peaks of northwestern . Here's watchman Daniel Wight at the first watchman's camp on Old Speck mountain at Grafton Notch in the early 1930's. This camp was also referred to as "Half-way camp". First up: Old Speck Mountain. Feels a bit like up in both directions at times. The range's highest peak, 4,170 ft Old Speck Mountain, is the fourth-highest peak in Maine. I climbed the old fire tower, now an observation deck. I slept up here in 2008 on one beautiful star-filled night. Stream crossings were also a little more challenging. Stratton Mountain is the highest peak in Windham County, Vermont at 3,940 feet. Speck Pond is on the south side of Old Speck Mountain, a huge 4000 footer with a fire tower … Read More » This is surely one of the most scenic mountains in Maine. There is not much room at the top of the tower, maybe enough for three or four people and the ladder up to it is an old iron rung vertical one. Old Speck Mt.-located in Grafton Notch, in Oxford County, elevation of 4250' 1st tower erected in 1914 (wooden tower) 2nd tower erected in 1919 (36' steel tower) This tower is standing in 1997 with cab removed in 1959, and new observation platform built in 1997 Old Speck Mt. Fire tower at the top with spectacular 360 degree view. The view from the fire tower were spectacular.
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