bryan
New member
date: 4/21/13
trails: road walk, snowmobile trail, abandoned firewardens trail/old a.t., bushwack, mahoosuc trail, appalachian trail
conditions: we parked in the usual lot in the notch and walked a short distance back down the road looking for the start of the old firewardens trail. we had to look a bit, but basically look for the old 2 hole privy right off the snowmobile trail and a short distance north (back up towards the parking lot) there is a red arrow and old green flagging which signals the start. we weren't sure we were on it for a couple hundred yards, but then it became very clear. spotty snow to start then full coverage as the trail ascended steeply up to the site of the old firewardens cabin. probably 2-3 feet at this point. 4+ higher up. definitely some sign in the snow of people on it before us from the cabin site down including some old ski tracks. given the recent cool temps the snow base was nice and solid. there were a suprising number of old white blazes given how long it has been since this was the route of the a.t. the abandoned link trail up to the current route of the a.t. was clear where it left the cabin site. i did not note where the abandoned east spur trail left this area. we were able to find some old blazing and an old a.t. sign at continued to follow the firewardens trail for a bit then lost it in the open woods. here the trail and woods, which had been continously steep, became very steep going right up the fall line of the ravine. moslty open woods led us up onto the upper section of the mountains east spur which had deep crusty snow with some exposed rock and great views. one last steep push was followed by a short stretch of thick fir/spruce before popping out maybe 75 yards from the summit. the a.t. heading back down to the parking lot had numerous post holes and some monorail and feet of snow still remaining. the snow became quite soft down low. brook crossings were easily hoppped or still snowbridged.
equipment: we started out in boots, but quickly went to snowshoes and wore them the rest of the hike minus the last tenth of a mile.
comments: a great day on old speck. the abandoned firewardens trail was a very interesting and challenging climb. i can see where it would have gotten a reputation for steepness. well deserved. the open rock on the east spur had the best views i have gotten on old speck. some dramatic looks down the steep slopes to grafton notch and long range views to the mountains to the east. thanks to jeremy and eric for a great hike.
bryan
[email protected]
trails: road walk, snowmobile trail, abandoned firewardens trail/old a.t., bushwack, mahoosuc trail, appalachian trail
conditions: we parked in the usual lot in the notch and walked a short distance back down the road looking for the start of the old firewardens trail. we had to look a bit, but basically look for the old 2 hole privy right off the snowmobile trail and a short distance north (back up towards the parking lot) there is a red arrow and old green flagging which signals the start. we weren't sure we were on it for a couple hundred yards, but then it became very clear. spotty snow to start then full coverage as the trail ascended steeply up to the site of the old firewardens cabin. probably 2-3 feet at this point. 4+ higher up. definitely some sign in the snow of people on it before us from the cabin site down including some old ski tracks. given the recent cool temps the snow base was nice and solid. there were a suprising number of old white blazes given how long it has been since this was the route of the a.t. the abandoned link trail up to the current route of the a.t. was clear where it left the cabin site. i did not note where the abandoned east spur trail left this area. we were able to find some old blazing and an old a.t. sign at continued to follow the firewardens trail for a bit then lost it in the open woods. here the trail and woods, which had been continously steep, became very steep going right up the fall line of the ravine. moslty open woods led us up onto the upper section of the mountains east spur which had deep crusty snow with some exposed rock and great views. one last steep push was followed by a short stretch of thick fir/spruce before popping out maybe 75 yards from the summit. the a.t. heading back down to the parking lot had numerous post holes and some monorail and feet of snow still remaining. the snow became quite soft down low. brook crossings were easily hoppped or still snowbridged.
equipment: we started out in boots, but quickly went to snowshoes and wore them the rest of the hike minus the last tenth of a mile.
comments: a great day on old speck. the abandoned firewardens trail was a very interesting and challenging climb. i can see where it would have gotten a reputation for steepness. well deserved. the open rock on the east spur had the best views i have gotten on old speck. some dramatic looks down the steep slopes to grafton notch and long range views to the mountains to the east. thanks to jeremy and eric for a great hike.
bryan
[email protected]
