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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Speckled Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Spruce Hill Trail, Bickford Brook Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, May 19, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes:  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes:  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: I cleared small downed limbs and twigs as I went. Used my snow basket to clear water bar plugs. Thank you to whoever maintains the trail. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Black flies in lower elevations but none the higher you go 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Yesterday was my first Saturday off in over 6 weeks so I took advantage of it. After learning Evans Notch had reopened for the season I was eager to get out there as I knew there would be less people and I could have a truly quiet night. It took me until yesterday morning to finally decide on a route, as my options were either some longer loop hikes or an out and back for Speckled Mountain. I went with the shorter out and back after having a late start I made it up to the trailhead shortly before four and hit the trail. My goal was to summit Speckled while also scouting potential camping on the way up. I had vaguely remembered some campsites somewhere near the summit when I climbed​ it via bickford Brook trail a couple summers ago. I only encountered one couple of hikers on my way up and they let me know there was snow, albeit patchy on the way up. I was equipped with spikes but the snow was mostly firm and so patchy I didn't bother with them. I made it to the summit in good time and to my surprise the campsites by the summit were essentially at the summit. They are really just "stealth" sites but I prefer to camp at previously established sites when possible. I located a water source a few minutes walk down Red Rock trail and filled up and found a spot to set up the hammock. With a couple hours til sunset I made some coffee and sat on the summit for close to an hour soaking in the views. It became apparent there wasn't gonna be much of a sunset with the way the clouds were so I relaxed in the hammock a while before making dinner. After enjoying dinner I once again took the 50 ft walk to the summit and searched for the moon coming through the clouds. As the clouds thinned you could see the snow on Washington lit up as well as the moon reflecting on nearby Kezar Lake. I soon turned in for the night d awoke at 7am. I had a relaxing morning coffee at the summit and packed to head down. It was a quick descent and I didn't see a single person. It was the perfect trip for some solitude and rest after what has been a busy spring.  
Name
Name: BK Noonan 
E-Mail
E-Mail: scrapperbk@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-05-20 
Link
Link: https:// 
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