Old Speck Mountain is a 4,170 foot mountain located in the Mahoosuc Range in Oxford County, Maine. It is also part of the Eastern White Mountains that stretch from New Hampshire to Maine. Old Speck is the 4th highest mountain in the entire state of Maine. The Appalachian Trail, which runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The AT runs .3 miles away from the summit of Old Speck.
Elevation:Â 4,170 feet
Elevation gain:Â 2,674 feet
Distance:Â 7.6 miles roundtrip
Duration (book time):Â 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Trails
Old Speck Trail (AT)
The most commonly used route to the summit of Old Speck follows along the AT most of the way. 0.4 miles from the trailhead, there is a split with a right fork climbing The Eyebrow, a steep hike up a cliff face with excellent views. The left fork stays at a moderate grade but eventually merges with the Eyebrow trail shortly. You can choose to go either left or right at the junction. About 3.5 miles from the parking area, the AT turns right, and the summit of Old Speck is a few hundred feet on the left hand side after emerging from the gradual, forested ridge. To descend, simply retrace your steps the way you came back to the trailhead parking lot.
Trail map
Alternate routes
Speck Pond Trail
An alternate, much longer route to the summit starts from the Speck Pond Trailhead and ascends to the summit of  Mahoosuc Arm. The trail will descend for about a mile until you reach Speck Pond. There are tent platforms and lean-to shelter here for hikers to spend the night. Fees will apply – $6 per hiker. To reach the summit of Old Speck, hike 1.1 miles from the Pond until you reach the summit and viewing platform.
Camping and Overnight Hiking Options
Camping is not allowed in the State park, but outside of this area camping is permitted. The Speck Pond Campsite offers hikers tent platforms, an AT-style shelter, and a composting privy.
Parking
The parking area for the Old Speck Trail is located in Grafton Notch State Park, directly after Mother Walker Falls and Moose Cave.
The Speck Pond Trailhead is located on Success Pond Road, which runs from Berlin, New Hampshire to Grafton Notch, Maine.
Directions
To get to the Old Speck Trail parking area
From I-95, take exit 63 for US-202/ME-115/ME-4 towards ME-26/Gray/New Gloucester. Take a left turn after exiting the ramp and merge onto Route 4. Take a sharp right turn onto 26A North. You will continue driving for roughly 70 miles until you come to a parking lot on your left and side with a sign labeled “hiking trails”.
To get to the Speck Pond Trail parking area
Travel on Success Pond road for roughly 1.5 more miles after the Mahoosuc Notch trail parking area, and the parking area is 0.8 miles down a right-hand side dirt road.
Weather Forecast
Below is the next four days of weather for Old Speck Mountain. Be sure to check conditions the morning of your hike as conditions change rapidly in the mountians.
Gorham, NH
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as low as -3. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Monday
Isolated snow showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 18. Wind chill values as low as -5. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Wind chill values as low as -6. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday
Isolated snow showers before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -3. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 21.
Wednesday Night
Snow after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Additional Photos
Old Speck Trail (AT)
Mahoosuc Trail
Appalachian Trail Sign
