AT Day 136: Mahoosuc Notch & Old Spec

Daily Miles: 9.5, Total Miles: 1,930.0

I asked my shelter mates if I snored last night. I know at some point I had to grope around for my earplugs. One teacher responded that we all took turns which I’m sure was the case.

Early start to tackle what is reported to be the hardest and steepest section on the AT, the Mahoosuc Notch. About 1,500′ up and one mile long, full of huge boulders – going over, under and around. Definitely a full body workout and quite the challenging obstacle course. I had to take my pack off a few times to squeeze through and under some passages. Haven’t had to do that since the Buckskin/Paria alternative on the Hayduke Trail. I was filthy and drenched in sweat by the time I reached the Mahoosuc Arm.

I descended to Spec Pond where I saw the familiar surfacing of feeding brook trout on a fly hatch on the water surface. Also saw fresh moose tracks in the mud but no moose sighting today. Tired enough but too early for the Old Spec Pond Shelter, I just got water and headed up Old Spec, Mahoosuc Range’s highest mountain and third highest point in Maine. Had lunch and a well-deserved rest at the summit before descending 2,500′ to Grafton Notch and ME Route 26. My knees were throbbing at the end.

A really nice trail angel was just getting ready to pack up and I got a lift into Bethel ME. While I was on Old Spec, I had tried to make a motel reservation, my first choice was fully booked. At the next one, the young lady on the phone said they had one room left and I took it. I got dropped off at the motel, far out of town, and there was not a single car in the parking lot. A little strange and a bit spooky I thought and walked into the lobby. A large monitor was on the counter and on the screen was the same young lady I had talked to from Old Spec. She said, “You must be Michael?”. After a few questions, I discovered she was actually in the Philippines. She knew where everything was and guided me through the check-in process – sign of the times, I guess. The room was nice and clean and later in the evening the place filled up with contractors in town on a big job. Got my filthy clothes washed and had a sandwich I had picked up from a market in town.