Old Speck, Winter hike?

[hikes-with-him]

Hi all...

Looking to do Old Speck in two weeks...I have gotten some info from a fellow VFTT'er who said that this would work...

We have heard that Old Speck is a challange...how much? We are a little cautious (especially since the issue with the canadian hikers) so we want to be sure this isn't something that is above us.

How does Old Speck rate as a hike as compared to Baldpate and Mt. Adams (both ones that we have completed in the winter and with snow)?

We have crampons and snowshoes, plenty of warm cloths and the like. We are NOT, however, technical climbers at all.

We would like to take the Eyebrow trail...

Thanks for the info

 

[cushetunk]

We would like to take the Eyebrow trail...

Perhaps this could be causing you some confusion? The Appalachian Trail runs from the parking lot at Route 26 to the summit of Old Speck and the trail is little more than a steep, four-mile walk in the woods. No exposure, sketchy spots, or anything of that sort. This is by far an easier hike than East Baldpate or Mount Adams.

The Eyebrow Trail is a short side trail detour off the lower section of the AT that traverses some potentially dangerous terrain, some of which might access ice flows for technical climbers. There's no compelling reason for winter hikers to use this trail.

 

[hikingmaineac]

Just to clarify - I've been up there when the AT wasn't broken out at all, but the Eyebrow was. So what I was saying when I suggested the Eyebrow trail was that it may be easier to gain that elevation using the broken trail rather than breaking your own trail. From where the Eyebrow and the AT meet, you could then continue up the mountain on the AT.

As far as the difficulty or "challenge level" - I would agree with cushetunk in saying that there are no aspects of the trail that require technical expertise, but will stick with what I have said about it being a deceivingly difficult 3.5 mile hike as far as the physical and mental aspects of the challenge are concerned. Roughly 2700 ft of vertical gain/clean prominence is pretty significant for a 4,170 ft mountain - especially over the course of only 3.5 miles. That in combination with the false summits and up/downs in the last mile or so make it quite the slog.

The distance is definitely worth the rewards, though - both in the sense of accomplishment and the views from the top if one is fortunate enough to be up there on a clear day.

 

[DougPaul]

Just to clarify - I've been up there when the AT wasn't broken out at all, but the Eyebrow was. So what I was saying when I suggested the Eyebrow trail was that it may be easier to gain that elevation using the broken trail rather than breaking your own trail. From where the Eyebrow and the AT meet, you could then continue up the mountain on the AT.

Perhaps the Eyebrow trail was broken out by technical climbers. Or the people who broke it out turned back.

Just because a trail or route is broken out doesn't mean that you should follow it or that it even goes where you want to go.

Doug

 

[Quietman]

From a recent trip report, Note the comment on the Eyebrow Trail:

Date of Hike: 2-15-09

Trail Conditions: Hard packed with a dusting of powder below 2 mile point, approx. 2 to 3 inches of light powder and some windblown above.

Special Equipment Required: Though we used crampons up and down, the trail was barebootable, as evidenced by a single hiker's tracks from the day before, except for some short sections of the Eyebrow, which were icy and could be avoided by going off trail in deeper snow.

Comments: The combination of hoarfrost and snow on the trees on upper parts of the Old Speck Trail were simply gorgeous. The taller member of our party was thankful for this shorter person's "clearing snow off trees" skills the last .3 miles to the top.

Regarding the Eyebrow Trail, the older trail guide we used said this was a recommended route for descending. After now having done so, I would question that judgement, especially in winter.

 

[hikes-with-him]

Just to clarify - I've been up there when the AT wasn't broken out at all, but the Eyebrow was. So what I was saying when I suggested the Eyebrow trail was that it may be easier to gain that elevation using the broken trail rather than breaking your own trail. From where the Eyebrow and the AT meet, you could then continue up the mountain on the AT.

As far as the difficulty or "challenge level" - I would agree with cushetunk in saying that there are no aspects of the trail that require technical expertise, but will stick with what I have said about it being a deceivingly difficult 3.5 mile hike as far as the physical and mental aspects of the challenge are concerned. Roughly 2700 ft of vertical gain/clean prominence is pretty significant for a 4,170 ft mountain - especially over the course of only 3.5 miles. That in combination with the false summits and up/downs in the last mile or so make it quite the slog.

Either way, I speak from experience when I say that Old Speck is a mountain that is definitely achievable for someone with limited winter technical expertise- but the distance is worth the rewards - both in the sense of accomplishment and the views from the top if one is fortunate enough to be up there on a clear day.

Thanks, again, for clarification...you have the experience...wasn't trying to undermine that...sorry if it appeared that way.

anyway...do you have any pictures of winter on Old Speck?

 

[hikingmaineac]

Unfortunately, I keep most of my photos on Facebook. If you have Facebook, send me a PM and the email address you use for FB and I'll request you as a friend.

 

[cushetunk]

I would agree with cushetunk in saying that there are no aspects of the trail that require technical expertise, but will stick with what I have said about it being a deceivingly difficult 3.5 mile hike as far as the physical and mental aspects of the challenge are concerned. Roughly 2700 ft of vertical gain/clean prominence is pretty significant for a 4,170 ft mountain - especially over the course of only 3.5 miles. That in combination with the false summits and up/downs in the last mile or so make it quite the slog.

The distance is definitely worth the rewards, though - both in the sense of accomplishment and the views from the top if one is fortunate enough to be up there on a clear day.

And I agree with all this.

(Well, okay, I do think it is actually 4 miles. And even with my extra half-mile, I don't think we need to resort to that hideous word "slog")