| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Old Speck Mountain, Speck Pond, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Old Speck Trail, Mahoosuc Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 23, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A couple minor stream crossings, easy rock hopping |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Plenty of dogs out |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies and gnats appearing at the lower elevations, not much up top yet. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We started Saturday morning from Grafton Notch, hoping to do the entire Mahoosuc Traverse North->South in 2 days, camping at Full Goose. Ascending to Old Speck was great- dry/muddy trail about halfway, and then it becomes well-packed monorail. Microspikes are a good idea, and expect to posthole a little. Plenty of people doing it in sneakers and shorts.
Beyond Old Speck, the Mahoosuc Trail wasn't broken, and was a pretty tough experience. It took us almost 2 hours to go the 1.1 miles to Speck Pond. Postholing through 4 feet of rotten spring snow, with our feet landing in a foot of creek water underneath it. Snowshoes would have helped, but there are just as many sections of bare dry rock. Slow going.
We decided to stop at Speck Pond campsite for the night, and then turned back the way we came, the next morning. Two other parties arrived at the site after us, with a similar story.
Anyway, the site is looking great, and we had a relaxing night. No caretaker there yet.
When we came out the next afternoon, we noticed the sign saying that all Appalachian Trail campsites and latrines are closed. Day-hiking only. Sorry, and I hope others are aware of this!
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 | Name: |
Dan J |
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 | E-Mail: |
djentzen@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-05-25 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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