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4,170 ft · Mahoosuc Range, Maine

Old Speck Mountain

Old Speck Mountain is a 4,170 ft peak in the Mahoosuc Range, Maine. The standard route is the Old Speck Mountain Trail: 7 mi, 2,874 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Old Speck Mountain in the Mahoosuc Range, Maine

Old Speck Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation4,170 ft1,271 m
  • RouteOld Speck Mountain TrailClass 2
  • Distance7 mi2,874 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeMahoosuc RangeMaine

Climbing the Old Speck Mountain Trail

From Grafton Notch on Route 26, the Old Speck Trail (Appalachian Trail) climbs steadily past cascades to the wooded summit, where an observation tower clears the trees for wide views. Old Speck is the high point of the rugged Mahoosuc Range near the New Hampshire line. The trail is long with steady grades, rooty and slick when wet. Start early for the round trip and carry water and layers. Just beyond lies Mahoosuc Notch, famous as the hardest mile of the entire Appalachian Trail, for those continuing on.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (15–25 L)
  • Water
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • Headlamp
  • Hiking Boots
  • Trekking Poles
  • Base Layer
  • Midlayer
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • Slippery terrain
  • Insects

Quests with Old Speck Mountain

Peaks near Old Speck Mountain

  1. Mount Moriah

    Mount Moriah

    4,049 ft · 18.2 mi away

  2. Middle Carter Mountain

    Middle Carter Mountain

    4,610 ft · 21.3 mi away

  3. South Carter Mountain

    South Carter Mountain

    4,430 ft · 22.3 mi away

  4. Mount Madison

    Mount Madison

    5,367 ft · 23.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Old Speck Mountain?

Old Speck Mountain is 4,170 feet (1,271 m) tall. It is in the Mahoosuc Range, Maine.

How does Old Speck Mountain rank among the New England 4,000ers?

At 4,170 feet, Old Speck Mountain is the 39th highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike Old Speck Mountain?

The Old Speck Mountain Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 7 miles with 2,874 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Old Speck Mountain?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the Old Speck Mountain Trail, covering 7 miles with 2,874 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Old Speck Mountain?

The Old Speck Mountain Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 7 miles with 2,874 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

When is the best time to hike Old Speck Mountain?

The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

What is the trailhead elevation for Old Speck Mountain?

The Old Speck Mountain Trail starts at about 1,490 feet, roughly 2,680 feet below the summit.

Climb Old Speck Mountain with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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