Date: 2023-07-07
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: East B Hill Rd
Miles today: 14.9

It was a miserable night in the shelter. Many of the others, and probably myself a bit too, snored. I'm a light sleeper, so that kept me awake most of the night.There was rain in the forecast in the afternoon, so, much to the chagrin of the other hikers in the shelter, my alarm went off at 4. My noise getting ready was bugging others, so I was asked to leave and finish outside of the shelter. I will be aware of that etiquette for next time I stay in one.I started a little past 5:30. My goal was to get in a decent day of hiking for most of the day, and get to a road where some people could pick me up and take me to a hostel during, or hopefully before the rain.I made my way up to Old Speck. Over Columbus Day weekend in 2019, I backpacked the Grafton Loop, a 38 mile route that combines the Grafton Loop Trail and AT for a scenic, but difficult loop. That time, it was foggy on Old Speck. The hike up to Old Speck today was clear and scenic. I decided to head up the 0.3 mile spur up to the summit and fire tower, which is off the AT. I got there around 7. The views were excellent.I descended to Grafton Notch. It wasn't too bad, but it took about 2 hours. I took a break there and, despite the guide mentioning a trash can, there wasn't one.I started the long climb up to the Baldpates around 9:30. It was turning into a warm, sunny day, and as I observed during my break, the thunderstorm forecast was pushed forward a couple hours. That was great, because I knew the views on the Baldpates -- part of the Grafton Loop -- would also be excellent. I got to Baldpate west peak around 11:30, and Baldpate east peak around noon.The climb up to the east peak was is above treeline and had views all the way up. The east peak is the furthest north on the AT that I had ever hiked up at this point. I took a half hour break. It is 6.3 miles to East B Hill Rd from there. I called the hostel in Andover where I had placed a hold for a bunk during my break on the climb up Mahoosuc Arm yesterday to let them know I would get to that road around 4. There were a few other hikers there, also making reservations or confirming meeting times at the road. It was still sunny, but I saw darker clouds forming from afar.The last 6.3 miles to the road were straightforward - mostly downhill, except for a brief climb up Surplus Mountain, just past the Frye Notch Lean-to -- where I arrived a little before 1:30 -- and beyond Dunn Notch, where there are some pretty falls, and unfortunately no camping is allowed.I passed by Dunn Notch around 3:30, and got to East B Hill Rd around 3:45. As I approached the road, it started to drizzle. The car to pick me up was there, and Grit was inside. He would also be in the bunkhouse. They waited a half hour for me, since the shuttle would cost less to pick up more than one person. Since the hostel picks up and drops off at multiple roads, this isn't included in the hostel stay cost.The ladies drove us back and gave me a complimentary large cup of lemonade - it was great! It started pouring as we drove to the hostel. Thank goodness I finished when I did, and I was grateful that I started so early.We arrived at the hostel around 4:10. Another lady checked me in and gave a brief tour. She said complimentary homemade muffins would be served for breakfast tomorrow morning. I took a shower, and shared laundry with Grit since we both had very little to wash and dry.It continued to pour. We took our umbrellas and walked for about 7 minutes to a market with a small dining area. I got three days of food, plus some fruit, yogurt, ice cream, and drinks. Grit and I also shared a large veggie pizza, and I got a side tossed salad, chicken wings, and sweet potato fries. We were full when we ate all that! There were a bunch of other hikers from various Andover area hostels at the market eating, including Irish. All the while, it continued to pour.We returned around 7:30. I put my stuff in the bunkhouse. Fortunately, it was just me and Grit, so we slept on opposite sides of it and each used one of the provided fans. I settled my bill around 8. L Someone kindly put our load in the dryer while we were at the market. The rain was finally settling down. I organized my food and wrote a journal entry. After a long day starting early with little sleep, I fell asleep around 10.