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Mahoosuc Range
Park at the Notch Trail trailhead on a spur road that leaves Success Pond Rd, 10.9 mi from Hutchins St in Berlin, NH. Hike back to Succes Pond Rd and head northeast along the road, approximately 1.3 miles to the Speck Pond Trail trailhead (make sure to bear right at fork (0.5 mi). Follow Speck Pond Trail to Speck Pond Campsite (5 mi). Trail begins mildly then climbs steeply at times to the May Cutoff (4.6 mi). Bear left, climb minor ups and downs before descending steeply to Speck Pond. Leave the Notch Trail trailhead in early evening and spend a night at this wonderous, but crowded campsite (expect to pay a small fee). Rise early and make the short climb to the top of Old Speck Mtn. Return, don your packs and head south along the Mahoosuc Trail (aka AT). At 0.8 mi, reach the open summit of Mahoosuc Arm. Silently thank yourself for hiking south while descending precipitiously steep terrain over the next 1.6 mi. Shortly after passinf a lone campsite, enter the infamous Mahoosuc Notch. Although not nearly the "moonscape" as described in some trail guides, the notch is of geological interest and a fun hike. Scramble up, over, and under huge boulders clogging the narrow (<100 ft) vegetated (at times) notch for the next 0.9 mi. Finally reaching the southwest end of the notch, relax a moment at the junction with the Notch Trail. Bag here and return to your car by the Notch Trail or be adventurous and continue on. The best is yet to come! Bear left and climb steeply (but not as steep as the south face of Mahoosuc Arm that you climbed down). Reach South Peak at 4.8 mi from Speck Campsite. Rest at the bouldery peak and take in the vista to the south of the alpine rabge you'll cross the next day. Continue south descending Fulling Mill Mtn before crossing the col and climbing the initial shelves of North Peak to Full Goose Shelter. Stop here for the night. Spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring (barefoot) the magical luscious moss dominated dense forest. Take special note of the minature world of fascinating lichens and moss that exude the dominant energy of this level of the forest. Continue the next day ascending (steeply at times) North Peak. Emerging at the summit, begin the traverse of the Mahoosuc Range in alpine terrain over the next 2 mi. Again note the amazing ecosystem, and absorb the confluence of energy sources from the earth, environment, and focused weather patterns. Climb a steep, nearly vertical bedrock outcrop to the summit of East Peak of Goose Eye Mtn (nicknamed Weathertop due to the extremely blustery conditions often encountered on this peak). Descend to a small col and ponder the totality and synchronicity of time, existence and earth energy before ascending Goose Eye. Make sure to take the short trip to the summit and look north over the magnificent alpine environment. Descend off Goose Eye and shrink in circularity as the changing ecosystem grows around you. Climb Mt. Carlo before descending to Carlo Col and emerging once again into the vibrant dense moss-lichen forest. Stay at Carlo Col Campsite before descending the Carlo Col Trail to Success Pond Road. Head northeast on the road back to your car. This magnifiscent loop can be leisurely completed with a 3 night stay. The trail is crammed full of interesting highlights moving quickly from one to another including Old Speck Mtn, the precipitous descent of Mahoosuc Arm, Mahoosuc Notch, South Peak vista, Mahoosuc Range, Weather top and the varied ecosystems along the way. Open your mind, feel the energy, and make this journey. You won't regret it!
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