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Two of the best days of hiking ever IMO. (and I've spend over 300 nights out in the ME/NH)
The outstanding footing made big miles easy, hell it didn't even hurt to climb Old Speck! I've never been one to send my hard earned $ to 10 Joy Street but I may be coming around now.
Trail is beautifully laid out, with an incredible variety of terrain, from the spectacular view from Sunday River Whitecap, the miles of river walking south of Baldpate, the meadows of Long Mountain and the crazy route finding madness of Puzzle Mountain. I wore trail runners w/ superfeet and relatively light pack w/ 3 days food. (only ended up taking 39 hours in the end)
Started from 26 and headed north on the west half of the loop around 7am and was shocked/thrilled to be on Old Speck summit by 4pm. First several miles were VERY wet. Descended to Rt 26 and hiked up to Baldpate shelter for the night, met a nice man who was thru-hiking, a retired cop from Wales named "Ruin". I didn't ask why.
Woke up early to catch the sunrise from Baldpate, left the A.T. and headed down the east loop trail. It was such a pleasure to descend this new trail, with its excellent footing and carefully planned steps - especially in contrast with the hideously eroded A.T. from the shelter to the West Baldpate summit. The next several miles are easy as can be, follow a river and crossing it several times. Many crossings were just barely doable dry, can't imaging not having trekking poles.
Reached Stewart Campsite by 4:30pm and was in rough shape, decided to stop and eat and nap and likely stay the night. After some food and a couple hours off my feet, the beginnings of a setting sun made me decide to pack up and hit the car that night (maybe the thought of a cheeseburger helped...)
Puzzle Mountain is fantastic, as you can see the entire loop you just hiked from the to and at several points along the descent. It must have taken FOREVER to find the design the trail. I had the sunset in front of me and the full moon rising behind, magical. I decided to step it up and get off the ledgy top of Puzzle mountain asap as light was fading and the route finding can be a little tricky in spots. Made it into the woods again by dark and started the long descent, only took about 2 hours but seemed like forever.
Saw two moose, one large bull hiking the trail as well and a full moose skeleton!
I plan to do it again in the fall, when it's a little dryer and the foliage would be outrageous. Only waterless sections (in a pretty wet year mind you..) were from Slide Mountain campsite up Old Speck and down to just below the Eyebrow Trail junction, then again for about 5 miles from Town Corner campsite up and over Long Mountain to about a mile from Stewart Campsite. Previous poster is right the Stewart Campsite blows. I have been inspired to sign up as a MATC volunteer and give something back!
The outstanding footing made big miles easy, hell it didn't even hurt to climb Old Speck! I've never been one to send my hard earned $ to 10 Joy Street but I may be coming around now.
Trail is beautifully laid out, with an incredible variety of terrain, from the spectacular view from Sunday River Whitecap, the miles of river walking south of Baldpate, the meadows of Long Mountain and the crazy route finding madness of Puzzle Mountain. I wore trail runners w/ superfeet and relatively light pack w/ 3 days food. (only ended up taking 39 hours in the end)
Started from 26 and headed north on the west half of the loop around 7am and was shocked/thrilled to be on Old Speck summit by 4pm. First several miles were VERY wet. Descended to Rt 26 and hiked up to Baldpate shelter for the night, met a nice man who was thru-hiking, a retired cop from Wales named "Ruin". I didn't ask why.
Woke up early to catch the sunrise from Baldpate, left the A.T. and headed down the east loop trail. It was such a pleasure to descend this new trail, with its excellent footing and carefully planned steps - especially in contrast with the hideously eroded A.T. from the shelter to the West Baldpate summit. The next several miles are easy as can be, follow a river and crossing it several times. Many crossings were just barely doable dry, can't imaging not having trekking poles.
Reached Stewart Campsite by 4:30pm and was in rough shape, decided to stop and eat and nap and likely stay the night. After some food and a couple hours off my feet, the beginnings of a setting sun made me decide to pack up and hit the car that night (maybe the thought of a cheeseburger helped...)
Puzzle Mountain is fantastic, as you can see the entire loop you just hiked from the to and at several points along the descent. It must have taken FOREVER to find the design the trail. I had the sunset in front of me and the full moon rising behind, magical. I decided to step it up and get off the ledgy top of Puzzle mountain asap as light was fading and the route finding can be a little tricky in spots. Made it into the woods again by dark and started the long descent, only took about 2 hours but seemed like forever.
Saw two moose, one large bull hiking the trail as well and a full moose skeleton!
I plan to do it again in the fall, when it's a little dryer and the foliage would be outrageous. Only waterless sections (in a pretty wet year mind you..) were from Slide Mountain campsite up Old Speck and down to just below the Eyebrow Trail junction, then again for about 5 miles from Town Corner campsite up and over Long Mountain to about a mile from Stewart Campsite. Previous poster is right the Stewart Campsite blows. I have been inspired to sign up as a MATC volunteer and give something back!
