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Trip Log
About
Stoneham, ME, Mason, ME
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the Cold Brook Trail on the way to Speckled Mountain
Having long wanted to hike Red Rock Mountain, it appeared to be a good day for it. After spending a few minutes finding the likely Miles Notch Trail trailhead, we spotted a vehicle there and headed over to the Cold Brook Trail, parking about .4 miles up the roadwalk, just past a marsh.
From there, we continued on foot along dirt/logging roads, turning left at the Cold Brook Trail sign. Shortly after passing an old house on the right, we took a left onto another logging road, then beared right downhill at another junction - neither junction had any visible hiking trail signs. Above five minutes beyond the house, the active logging road ran out and we found ourselves on an older road bed, bearing at another snowmobile trail junction. Soon thereafter, we arrived at the Evergreen Link junction - I'd probably take the Evergreen Link next time and save the extra fraction of a mile.
From there, the Cold Brook Trail was more of a traditional trailwalk. Steepening up around the wilderness boundary, we observed the first patches of ice.
Eventually reaching the open ledges of the Cold Brook Trail, we had superb views in three directions, including snow covered Presidentials engulfed in clouds.
After ducking back into the woods, we soon arrived at the summit ledges of Speckled Mountain. Prior to touching the highpoint adjacent the old tower footings, we headed to a nice eastern viewpoint just a bit off trail.
Though the directional views from the summit were nice, it was a bit windy and cold. Thus we didn't linger long and instead headed down the Red Rock Trail.
After dropping somewhat steeply off Speckled, the trail moderated as we worked our way to Durgin. Reaching a ledgy area, we first explored the northern ledges just off trail, finding a decent viewpoint of the Mahoosucs and points east. We then crossed over the trail and bushwhacked through generally open softwoods to what appeared to be the highpoint. There appeared to be evidence of an old trail routing or two in these woods, which would perhaps explain the slight difference between the USGS and AMC maps.
The walk between Durgin and Butters was through fairly nice woods with decent footing, though the trail was hard to find in places, especially after the Great Brook Trail junction. With a leaf covered footbed and minimal blazing, as well as numerous minor to moderate blowdowns in generally open hardwoods, there were multiple times in which care had to be taken to find the trail.
Eventually reaching Butters Mountain, the highpoint appeared to be alongside the trail. There didn't appear to be any views anywhere near the summit.
Beyond Butters, the nice woods continued, as well as the sometimes vague nature of the trail. After passing over multiple nice view ledges, we eventually reached the ledgy summit of Red Rock Mountain, where we had good views to the north. A few minutes past the summit, we followed a herdpath south to vast open ledges and cliffs - certainly not a good place to be in slippery conditions.
After taking in the views for awhile, we headed back to the trail and continued east, then bushwhacked off the trail again to another set of southern cliffs, from where we had excellent views of the previous stop.
Back on the trail, we eventually dropped down the back side of Miles Knob and then climbed up to the Miles Notch Trail and, up once again, to Miles Notch proper. The trail was at this point, and all the way downhill and partway back up another ridge, very vague and minimally maintained - lots of blowdowns, very few blazes, brush growing into the airway, and no visible footbed. Not only that, but the footing was less than optimal - not terrible, but a stark contrast to the smooth footing on the Red Rock Trail.
Eventually bottoming out, we had to climb multiple hundred vertical feet to get over a ridge and down to Hut Road. Passing through a maze of snowmobile trails (basically heading downhill at the junctions), we arrived at the unmarked trailhead where we had spotted a vehicle earlier in the day.
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The Cold Brook Trail turnoff
Looking down the Cold Brook Trail on the way to Speckled Mountain
The Presidentials as seen from Speckled Mountain
The Red Rock Trail on the way to Durgin Mountain
The Caribou Mountain as seen from the Durgin Mountain ledges
The Red Rock Trail on the way to Butters Mountain
A lack of views from Butters Mountain
The Red Rock Trail on the way to Red Rock Mountain
Looking west from the ledges east of the summit of Red Rock Mountain
Looking at the east Red Rock ledges from ledges east of those east ledges
The Miles Notch Trail on the way to Hut Road
Back to Speckled Mountain Profile
Back to Durgin Mountain Profile
Back to Butters Mountain Profile
Back to Red Rock Mountain Profile
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