[Journal entry for December 27, 2006] I came up from Auburn, Maine and arrived at the Appalachian Trailhead at about 10:30 AM, the drive taking about an hour and a half. The skies of Bethel and Newry were partly clear, but the higher mountains of the Grafton Notch area were overcast, and light snow was falling. I parked in a rather spacious lot. A tall cliff face, adorned with snow and huge icicles, towers over the road here. I spend a few minutes examining the map posted in the kiosk. I had basically two choices: hiking south or north along the AT. I chose south – or really west in this area – towards Old Spec Mountain, 3.8 miles away. I wore a waterproof anorak over a fleece vest; light considering the temperature was 21 degrees F, but suitable for the uphill climb I expected. I carried a pack with a heavier jacket, food and water, and my standard safety kit.

The trail is indeed steep. I booted it, for there was only barely an inch or two of snow. The trail is rather rocky, and has a staircase character. It switches up through the woods, occasionally crossing streams. Many of these were running, yet none to the degree that made crossing a challenge. Mostly I could just step from stone to stone. Some had cascades and small waterfalls. Some of these had smallish ice formations. The weather this winter has been rather to warm to permit spectacular buildups. Three sets of footprints marked the trail. I guessed that two men and a dog were just a few minutes ahead of me. One of them had a gait and hiking style similar to mine. We were making similar decisions about which rocks to use as footing.

The trail heads up through the woods, and then begins to follow a stream at the base of the cliff face. This area affords good views of the cliff towering above and of some of the mountains across the highway. For the most part the trail stays within the woods, but there is one small section where it runs close to the top edge of the cliff. I walked this section very slowly and carefully, owing to the slipperiness of the snow. This part of the trail affords a good view towards the northeast. The mountains are covered with a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees; the former which are dark green and highlighted by clinging snow.

The trail continues up and up. I pass the intersection with the Eyebrow Loop Trail. Then I meet the two men and their dog, who are now heading down. They have turned about at an open area, a sort of false summit, just ahead of me. I make for this area, too. It is a high section of a ridge with rather short trees, and affords especially nice views to the southwest. I can see that I am nowhere close to the summit of Old Spec Mountain, in terms of distance, yet it is not too far above me in terms of elevation. I judge that I will not be able to make the summit today and still be certain of returning in daylight. But I push on anyway, to see how the trail goes. A little after this, I startle a grouse from a bush close to the trail. It flutters away noisily. I continue along the trail until it begins to descend steadily into a fairly deep gully. I’ve been hiking 2:15, and decide that that’s enough.

I set up my Primus Stove, and cook myself a lunch of Ramen noodles. The hot chicken broth fortifies me for the hike down. The air must be quite cold, for my gloves freeze solid soon after my taking them off. I have let them get to damp and sweaty during the exertions of the upward climb. Fortunately, I have a spare pair. I strap a set of instep crampons onto my boots, since the trail here is rather slippery, especially in the downhill direction.

The hike down takes me two hours, almost as long as the uphill climb. The need for careful foot placement limits my speed down, and I was pretty peppy on the way up, so the differential in speed is not great, even though the exertion is much less. I encounter two hikers, a man and a woman, climbing up as I descend. I notice several places where the snow is littered with the remains of pine nuts. I suppose squirrels, or some other animal, in the trees above have been feeding on them. I also pass a tree that that had collapsed in on itself in an interesting way. Some patches of blue are breaking out in the sky as I reach the car, at around 3PM.

Trip time 4:30.