Old Speck 7/3

[David Metsky]

This was the last New England 4K for Seeker/Brenda and she got a view this time. For the NH 4Ks she also finished on a wooded peak with an observation tower (Carrigain) but it snowed that day. This day was sunny and warm.

The trip up the Eyebrow was steep and rough, some of that trail looks ready to slide. There were lots of other groups hiking that day but a large number were just doing the lower loop. We barely saw anyone from the top of the Eyebrow to the summit. There was a fine celebration with champagne up top, we had the tower to ourselves for a while.

We met a couple who had come up the old Firewarden's trail all the way from the road. Their story was fairly hairy, sounds like it was quite an adventure. That nixed the idea of taking the now abandoned east spur/link loop. Instead we headed back down the AT, then up to Audrey and Pat's cottage up in Rangely for more hiking and good food.

Photos 1
Photos 2

Sugarloaf and Spaulding to follow when I get the photos online.

-dave-

 

[Blue]

Way to go, Brenda, on finishing your NE4K!

I LOVE the picture of Brenda and Audrey with the beers and lupine. It looks so... inviting.....

Great pictures, Dave.

-Blue

 

[chomp]

Congrats, Brenda, looks like you guys had a great time. Good to see that you had a nice day to finish on. Pat and Audrey's place doesn't seem like a bad spot to celebrate afterward, either.

 

[Seeker]

Thanks all! It was great fun, and the views into Mahoosec (SP?) Notch whet my appetite for a backpack to Speck pond.

Going to A&P's was a great way to celebrate after.

Thanks Dave for posting the TR and pics!

 

[David Metsky]

I forgot to mention that on the drive up Friday night we had an interesting wildlife sighting on the Kanc. Just before the hairpin turn by the Hancock Notch trailhead we came across a coyote in the road. Expecting him/her to run off, I slowed the car as I approached. The coyote just stared at us as he continued eating the road kill, gave us one more glare, then headed off into the woods.

I never saw a coyote that non-plused by a car on the highway.

-dave-

 

[MichaelJ]

Woo-hoo! Congrats to Brenda on her finish. Old Speck is a fine summit (though I've never approached it from that side). I'll definitely check out the pictures later today from work

 

[KenC]

Great Pictures and congrats to Brenda!!!

This and some of the recent trip reports have me anxious to hit that area!!!

 

[carole]

Nice finish, Seeker/Brenda! I enjoyed the photos. It's good to see familiar faces and new faces and...lupine.

 

[SherpaKroto]

Congrats Brenda! The route that you took was the same that convinced me to get back on my peakbagging quest in 1999. I had spent many years hiking the same peaks, and this was a new approach for me (always came up one of the Success Pond access routes before). Old Speck was unofficially my first 4K when I was 10 (but couldn't remember the date, and climbed it many times since, so didn't count it as #1)

Speck Pond backpack will certainly not disappoint!

I agree: Rangeley Lake is a great spot to kick back and sip a few cold ones after a good day.