Date: 2008-07-28
From: About a mile north of Speck Pond Campsite

To: Andover Guest House
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Up on the trail by 7am - a decent start. Weather is supposed to be great for the next few days. Began to climb the stretch up to Old Speck, about 500 feet up in about half a mile distance. The climb up Old Speck was pretty steep, with some rock slabs. But it was was short compared to the Mahoosuc Arm. Still, I was glad to be doing this climb first thing in the morning - getting it out of the way. Reached the "top" but it wasn't really the top of Old Speck. Their is a side trail to the summit ahead whereas the AT took a left hand turn. I bumped into a local hiker who said the Old Speck trail used to be the official route of the AT.Because of the nice weather and a good chance for a good view, I decided to take the short side trail to the summit. Took some pictures and climbed the observation tower for some really nice views of the nearby mountains. Hiked back to the trail junction where the AT rejoins. It was a long descent (2500 feet in about 3 1/2 miles) to Grafton Notch. The descent was not too bad, there were some rock ledges but basically easy hiking down the ridge. At one point going down I came up on a wide open ledge with a very steep drop over the edge. I couldn't see which direction the trail took and thought it was just possible the trail descended over that sheer rock face. But it turned out the trail took a right turn and made a long detour around the cliff. When I got to the bottom and looked back saw just how steep this cliff was. The remainder of the descent to Grafton Notch was mostly along a somewhat dry stream bed. The bed had many large boulders and ledges.When I got to Grafton Notch I saw a car that had stopped. The driver offered me a ride into Bethel, Maine - 17 miles away. But I needed to get into Andover for a mail drop, so I said "No thanks." Just hope I can get as easy a hitch into Andover. The Table Rock Trail crosses the AT when the AT goes through Grafton Notch State Park. I had been told that if you want a really steep climb, you would get it on the Table Rock Trail going up Table Rock Mountain. This Table Rock Loop takes between two and three hours to hike. You have a choice at this point: to follow the steep, boulder-strewn orange-blazed Table Rock Trail up; or to continue along the Appalachian Trail to the next junction. I decided to give the side trail a shot (I had plenty of time to get to Andover). So I hid my pack in the nearby woods (ALWAYS remember where you hide anything you don't want to lose!). Took a water bottle and a couple other items. The Orange Trail rises moderately at first, crossing or following mountain streams. After approximately one mile, a blue-blazed Table Rock Trail begins. This trail is an easier hike up Table Rock Mountain. Once at the top, I found myself standing on ¢Table Rock¢, about a 1,000 feet above the starting point. There are spectacular views of Old Speck, the Eyebrow, and Grafton Notch. For the descent, you can follow the orange-blazed on a loop back to the AT. Or you can retrace your steps so you don't miss any of the trail. That's what I chose to do since my pack was back there. I found it without any problem and continued on the AT.Next up was Baldpate Mountain. There are two peaks (East and West) and a separate mountain called Little Baldpate. Baldpate pretty much is barren on top - no trees, just "bald" with rocks and bouldars. These involve some climbing to get up the first mountain. But traversing across the other mountains was not too bad. Then a relatively steep descent down to the Frye Notch Lean-To.One remaining mountain for the day (Surplus Mountain) and then I got to East B Hill Road. This is the spot I'd need to find a ride into Andover. A guy pulled over just a few minutes after I got there, and gave me a lift to Andover.Checked into the Andover Guest House. This is a large, two-story house that rents out rooms to hikers. I shared a room with another hiker. They have a large "family room" with a internet computer (always busy with hikers), a kitchen you could use, and a washer and dryer. I had stayed here in 2006 and was happy both times.The Post Office is only a short distance down the street and I picked up my foode drop from Trail Boss. Across the street from the hostel is a restaurant. They do short-order grill cooking and I had a great cheesburger, onion rings, and a milkshake. While at the restaurant one of the locals told me that recently some guy (not a hiker) had recently jumped to his death off one of the cliffs on the AT. I also was told about a fire at a nearby commercial campground that totally destroyed the place.There is another hostel nearby, Pine Ellis. I have never stayed there but a lot of other hikers have. I've heard good things about the place.The town does have a library on a nearby side street. But I really felt like just kicking back at the hostel and talking with other hikers, especially the southbounders, about their experiences thus far.No zero day here tomorrow - will be back on the trail in the morning. The hostel owner does slackpacking trips and I can get a ride back to the trail along with them (although no slackpacking for me).Speck Mountain Observation Tower