Trails Used

Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail, logging roads, unnamed trail, Little Concord Pond Loop Trail, Bald Mountain Trail, Bald Mountain Loop, Speckled Mountain Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Having previously hiked a loop over Bald & Speckled Mountains form the Little Concord Pond State Park trailhead, today we hiked the loop from the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trailhead. Heading up the lower part of the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail, there wasn't anything particularly new to note, except for some ribbons and signage put there to keep ATVs on the designated ATV trail. We hiked the loop counterclockwise, so we split off from the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail and continued around the base of the mountain on logging roads and the faint trail crossing a low saddle to Little Concord Pond. After hiking along the north shore of the pond, we ascended Bald Mountain, where we started to see multiple groups of other hikers. After a short snack break on top of Bald, we continued on to Speckled. At the summit of Speckled, we had lunch and enjoyed the beautiful views on this early fall day. After lunch, we descended back to the car on the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail. The first part of the descent along the ridge with alternating forests and open ledge is always a very enjoyable part of the trail. It's always fun finding new variations on mountains which you've hiked many times!

Parking

roadside parking on Dickvale Road

Water Crossings

all easily hoppable, some minor mud on the trail between the logging roads and Little Concord Pond

Wildlife

none

Trails Used

Speckled Mountain trail, Bald Mountain Loop Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

With the beautiful weather today, I didn't want to miss out on a hike but the week has been busy so staying closer to home was exactly what I needed. There was one couple ahead of us today and they cleared all the spider webs. Thank you! The trail was dry as were the rocks which made for quicker and safer hiking. We had both summits to ourselves and really enjoyed the views and the breeze. We stopped to look at all the mushrooms and take lots of pictures and had the loveliest morning. Huge shout out to the nice woman we met who was back on the trail for the first time since May due to a knee injury. Everyone we met today was so happy and friendly and we all were talking about what a great day it was. I could not have asked for a more wonderful day!

Parking

There were 2 cars in the lot when we arrived and about 9 there when we finished. With careful parking about 12 to 15 cars can fit in the lot. Coming from the Rumford side, there are a few bigger washouts on the road which require care.

Water Crossings

All were dry so very easy to cross

Wildlife

They weren't an issue but I managed to inhale another one today. Only me.

Trails Used

Spruce Hill, Bickford Brook

Trail Conditions

Notes

Hiked up and trail ran the ridge until the climb to Speckled. Was able to see the weather coming in from the summit, which cut short my trip to Durgin Mtn & the Great Brook trail junction. Ran most of the way out, beating the rain by about 30 minutes. Some kind of Grouse (maybe Ruffled) spotted on the col around Spruce Hill and was not happy I was there- full puff out, squaking, and a bit of a run at me. Fresh moose tracks in the Ames Mtn area.

Parking

Only 3 other cars at the East Royce TH on 113.

Water Crossings

Rock Hoppable and mostly within the first .25 miles of rt 113

Wildlife

Minimal and only on the summit

Also on this trip

Trails Used

White Cairn Trail, Blueberry Mountain Loop, Blueberry Ridge Trail, Bickford Slides Trail, Bickford Brook Trail, Red Rock Trail, Stone House Trail, Rattlesnake Pool Spur

Trail Conditions

Notes

Beautiful spring day today! High 50s- low 60s all day and excellent visibility 50+ miles. Still quite a bit of patchy snow visible on the Presidential range. I would highly recommend Bickford Slides trail for those who love waterfalls, as that trail had about as many awesome waterfalls in 0.5 miles as you can get. The snow is almost fully gone in this area, but there was still a few small patches of snow, mostly on the upper section of Bickford Brook trail. It was all avoidable or minimal enough it could be walked over easily. In this section there was also a lot of Moose droppings, but no Moose unfortunately. The West side of Blueberry Mountain on Blueberry Ridge Trail had a decent amount of slippery wet rock, and care will be required in this section to stay on your feet. A lot of loose leaves throughout (A lot of Beech) and this can make some sections a little slippery, but for the most part this wasn't an issue. 6 new completed Redline trails today!

Parking

I was the 5th car at 10:30 and there were two cars when I returned at 4. There is a small lot for 3 or so cars at the Stone House gate, but room for a few more cars to park on the right side of the road just before the gate.

Water Crossings

Bickford Slides trail has a few crossings but all were rock-hoppable, and the crossing of Bickford Brook at the start of Blueberry Ridge Trail was easy enough to hop over as well. There are bridges on the crossings on White Cairn trail and Stone House trail.

Wildlife

Some flies were zipping around at the summit of Speckled but nothing that was a nuisance