Hiking the Uncle Eddie of the White Mountains

Trip Details
Date: October 19^th, 2018
Total Distance: 8.36 mi (via Garmin fenix 5X)
Total Time: 3 hours 52 minutes
Total Elevation: 3228 ft gained
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Old Speck Mountain is a 4000 footer. Old Speck Mountain is in the White Mountains. Old Speck Mountain is in Maine. That unfortunately does not qualify it as part of the 48 4000 footers as that list is for New Hampshire mountains only. What annoys me about this is all the mountains are in the White Mountains so the list really should include Old Speck Mountain. So due to this, I have given is the following fun nicknames:

Uncle Eddie (National Lampoon's Vacation reference)
Bastard Stepchild of the White Mountains

These both refer to the fact that this is the only 4000 footer in the White Mountains that is discluded, looked down on, ignored, or just plain old avoided. Well I think that is total malarky and Old Speck Mountain deserves a spot on the list as the 49^th 4000 footer that is required to get the patch.

What also hurts Old Speck Mountain is its location. Located in Newry, ME means it is not close to anything. You could head to Gorham, NH and then continue east, or like I did take I-95 to Gray/New Gloucester and then continue on Route 26 for a few hours. Route 26 is similar to Route 16 in New Hampshire (once you get past the highway portion in Rochester), but just feels way more rural and longer. Besides Oxford Casino and Sunday River Resort (also in Newry) there is little reason to travel up this route.

The days before the mountains received some snow that we started to even see on the road as we approached Grafton Notch. This happened to us a few years back during a late October hike on Mt. Whiteface, but at that time it was just in the higher elevation sections and was only powdery snow. The temperature over the last few days was favorable for snow at night, but during the day it would warm up enough to start the melting process. This meant we were going to run into some significant ice flows and we did not bring our winter gear (spikes) with us.

The dusting in the parking lot. Our hope is that the snow levels would stay like this...we were wrong...

If you want to take the steel rope and ladder route then go the Eyebrow Trail. It is also important to note that this is a fee site so bring cash during the regular season (it is currently covered).

We stuck to the Old Speck Trail/AT for our day.

The snow was pretty consistent on the trail and the trail stays in some thick section of woods that did not have the benefit of any sun to help melt the snow. As we gained elevation, the snow and the ice increased. Thankfully we could stay close to the edge and make our way around the ice flows, but it was going to mean a tricky descent. As for the trail, it looks like a standard White Mountains rocky trail with bad footing. The one thing to note is the trail starts hard with elevation gain right off the bat and then levels out more as you get up on the ridge.

This pool at the bottom of the waterfall in the previous photo looks like a nice place to swim during the warmer months. Not today though!

Random Appalachian Trail marker on the trail at a point that did not look significant or anything.

Right before the junction with the top of the Eyebrow Trail you get to an open ledge with your first view of Old Speck Mountain. It is the one in the background. It looks quite a ways away.

This is a rather tame section.

The spur trail for Old Speck's summit.

Probably about two inches of snow at this elevation.

The summit was surprising as just at the junction we were battling some cold wind, but the open summit was wind free. You only had the wind to deal with as you scaled the outlook tower for an amazing 360º view.

BishopX scaling the outlook tower.

Look close and you will see a bunch of black birds flying around a spot. I wish I had zoomed in more and tried to get a clearer photo of one.

Sunday River Resort

Looking towards the White Mountains (of NH).

Northern Presidentials

Looking toward the northern White Mountains (of NH).

The Pliney and Pilot Ranges

Looking out into Maine.

Baldplate Mountains

Maybe Table Rock?

Mt. Blue with a wind farm in front of it.

That is quite the attire I have on... In my defense my legs were not cold and there was no wind on the summit so I left my pants in my bag.

Now it was time for the descent that we had some legit concern about. The approximate hour in time from when we ascended over sections to when we returned to descend over it made a world of difference. The ambient air temperature broke 32ºF and melting on the trail was happening fast. Ice was turning to slush and the ice flows were even becoming mush. We hung to the side and took caution, but for the most part we were able to navigate down the mountain easily.

On the way home, at the recommendation of Detroit Rock City, we stopped at Puzzle Mountain Bakery where we pooled our cash (for a grand total of $3) to split one whoopie pie. I would say there is a legit whoopie pie resurgence/phenomenon going on right now. I make a mean whoopie pie, but there is such variability to others recipes that it is fun to try new ones. Plus it is two large cakes/cookies with a large amount of filling. How can you go wrong? I would rate the Puzzle Mountain Bakery standard chocolate cake with marshmallow filling a six on a ten point scale. An old school traditional recipe was used for the cakes as they were a bit drier than I prefer and not sticky. The cream was very good, though. I really do like Puzzle Mountain Bakery's storefront, though. It is just a little shed on the side of Route 26 where you take what you want and throw the money in a metal bin nearby. It is genius and I bet they make a killing!

Everything looks good except for the switchback section near where the open granite ledges are. The GPS got wonky in one direction.