Speckled Mountain Hike, October 21, 2006

It was an ominous start to the Vineyard hike up Speckled Mountain, a 3000-plus foot peak in Evans Notch, located on the Maine side of the White Mountains National Forest.  The sky turned dark as we approached the mountain, and yup - those were a few October snowflakes drifting aimlessly by us in the parking lot as we began to think we didn't dress warmly enough.  A brave group of five Vinyardites plus our canine guide Barclay donned every stitch of fall clothing we brought to make a go at the possible wintry weather (well, not the dog - but she did wear an orange bandana to warn off any hunters - being the opening day of deer hunting for children, of all things).  

Ours were the only cars in the lot.  That didn't stop Wayne, Dan, Hannah, Jen, Barclay and I from setting out at about 10am up the steep slope. The slope got easier in places, but the mountain streams didn't - they were spring-like with all the recent rain runoff.  It wasn't long before we encountered a dusting of snow left behind the night before. In spots the forest floor was Christmasy white - to everyone's surprise! The first snow of the season!   

 After a steady climb through evergreen and bare hardwood forests, we reached the wind-swept peak around 12:30.  We took a couple of pictures, though we ducked down into the trees and out of the wind to eat our lunch.  Wayne managed a few ZZZ's, having been up late traveling the night before.  Barclay the opportunist checked out his lunch, but left it alone as the other hikers were quite generous with their snacks. 

About half way down the trail the sun came out illuminating the landscape, but it never warmed up enough to melt the dusting of snow. My jacket thermometer ranged between 32 and 35 degrees all day.  Despite some cold fingers, the steady pace helped keep us warm, and everyone kept warm in spirit. We reached the cars about 2:30, and everyone (but the drivers) snoozed on the ride home.  A good day, great exercise, and fantastic company.  Nothing refreshes the lungs like a crisp, clean breathe of God's October air!

The evening of July 6 had arrived.  Dark clouds were encountered on the drive to Douglas Mountain, so the Vineyard trekkers were rightfully concerned with the weather.  By the time we reached Douglas Mountain, however, the sun had won out, setting the stage for a splendid hike up a Southern Maine mountain on a beautiful midsummer's night eve! 

With much anticipation, everyone in the merry group of eight set out up the steep slope. After some conversation and a bit of huffing as we climbed, the surrounding mountains to the north and west finally arose up to greet us as we broke through the forest canopy into the summit's granite clearing. The view was stunning, with the panorama of Sebago Lake in its entirety resting below like a mirror in a field of emerald.   But we weren't quite there yet, as an interesting old stone tower built in 1925 awaited to take us even higher. After a lengthy round of oooh's and ahhh's, we headed down from the tower, down from Douglas Mountain, refreshed and thankful to be alive and able to enjoy the wonder of God's creation right here in good ol' Maine.