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With all of the 4000 footers in the Carrabassett Valley done, Old Spec was the only remaining non-Baxter 4000 footer left in Maine. BillB, rbalbs, and Boghollow would all be driving back to NY later in the day, while Grace.points and I would be sticking around in Maine, so we got a bit of a later start. Surely, Old Speck would have a broken trail...
We left Kingfield about an hour and a half after the others to make the drive to Grafton Notch State Park. When we got to the trail-head there were a number of cars, and several people in the parking lot. While eavesdropping on the conversation, it seemed that everyone had either hiked something other than Old Speck, or was setting out to hike something else. We started off and the trail seemed fairly well packed down. The elevation profile of the trail appears to climb consistently to the summit, but the first mile felt pretty steep. That may be due to the fact that there isn't really any approach, the trail starts climbing pretty quickly.
The view of Baldpate Mountain from the side of Old Speck
We had some views along the way, and passed a lone hiker. Aside from our group, this was the first person that we passed on a trail in our five days of hiking in Maine. It appeared that the summit was in a cloud, so I wasn't hopeful for views up high.
Along the trail
About a mile from the summit, we met BillB, rbalbs, and Boghollow, who were on their way down. They didn't elaborate, but told us that they had to do some trail breaking. 😬 Closer to the summit, there is a spot that is exposed and the snow had some deep drifts. When we reached the summit, there was no view, as expected.
The fire-tower on Old Spec
The hike out went by quickly, finishing the hiking portion of the trip. We were happy to have completed the goal of 11 4000 footers, and happily looking forward to not hiking the next day!
We left Kingfield about an hour and a half after the others to make the drive to Grafton Notch State Park. When we got to the trail-head there were a number of cars, and several people in the parking lot. While eavesdropping on the conversation, it seemed that everyone had either hiked something other than Old Speck, or was setting out to hike something else. We started off and the trail seemed fairly well packed down. The elevation profile of the trail appears to climb consistently to the summit, but the first mile felt pretty steep. That may be due to the fact that there isn't really any approach, the trail starts climbing pretty quickly.
The view of Baldpate Mountain from the side of Old Speck
We had some views along the way, and passed a lone hiker. Aside from our group, this was the first person that we passed on a trail in our five days of hiking in Maine. It appeared that the summit was in a cloud, so I wasn't hopeful for views up high.
Along the trail
About a mile from the summit, we met BillB, rbalbs, and Boghollow, who were on their way down. They didn't elaborate, but told us that they had to do some trail breaking. 😬 Closer to the summit, there is a spot that is exposed and the snow had some deep drifts. When we reached the summit, there was no view, as expected.
The fire-tower on Old Spec
The hike out went by quickly, finishing the hiking portion of the trip. We were happy to have completed the goal of 11 4000 footers, and happily looking forward to not hiking the next day!