Berry Ledge 10/27/2026

We didn't have very much time today, so we decided to go for an easy hike up Berry Ledge in West Paris. Starting from behind Agnes Gray Elementary School, we followed the yellow-blazed trail up the ledge. As with my last visit in 2024, the trail doesn't seem to see much use or regular maintenance, but is still relatively clear and easy enough to follow. It provides a gradual approach to the summit, winding its way around to avoid the steepest slopes and ledges.

Start of the trail behind Agnes Gray Elementary School

An old bridge on the trail

Looking up at the ledges above the trail

After passing through the more recently logged area near the summit, we reached the viewpoint on top of the ledge. We enjoyed the sun at the viewpoint for a bit, before making our way back down along the same way that we went up. It was a great short hike on a beautiful fall day!

View south from the top

View southwest

Sampson at the viewpoint

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Bald Mountain (Woodstock) 10/8/2026

On this beautiful fall day, we found our way back to Bald Mountain in Woodstock to explore a few trails that we hadn't hiked yet on the mountain. We were the first car in the Little Concord Pond State Park trailhead lot at around 8:30, and we started up the trail to Little Concord Pond. Upon reaching the pond, we opted for the trail heading along the west shore of the pond.

Little Concord Pond State Park Trailhead

At the pond's most northwestern point, we found the first, and most mysterious, of the three new trails that we planned to explore. I had noticed this trail before, but was not able to find any maps showing it or references to where it went. We started down the trail, and it soon became clear that although the trail was lightly used, it was well cared for with no real blowdowns at all and a clear trail corridor. The trail descended a bit as it wound through the forest. Eventually, the trail popped out at the end of a woods road, and we realized that we were at the end of Pelletier Road near Concord Pond. It was great to discover this new approach to the trails on Bald and Speckled Mountains!

Little Concord Pond

After retracing our steps back to Little Concord Pond, we took the trail heading northeast towards the logging roads on the north side of Speckled Mountain. Just before the trail reached the logging road, we took a right turn on a somewhat eroded trail heading uphill. This was the second new to us trail which climbed rather gently to the south. The trail had some blowdowns, but was easy enough to follow, and it became rather level as it reached the wide col between Bald and Speckled. We reached the 4-way junction in the col with the blue-blazed Speckled Mountain Trail. After determining that the trail south of the col was too muddy and overgrown to be worth following, we headed west to the summit of Bald Mountain.

Speckled Mountain from Bald Mountain

Sampson at the summit of Bald Mountain

View west from the summit

Despite the beautiful weather foliage, we had the summit of Bald completely to ourselves for over an hour while we relaxed and ate lunch. Just before we left, we did see one other hiker with her dog, one of only 3 people we would see during the hike. Continuing west from the summit, we soon took a sharp left turn onto our third, and final, new trail of the day. This unmarked, but well used path soon took us to the bottom of Shagg Crag, the popular rock climbing cliff on Bald Mountain. The cliffs were very imposing from the base, and they were covered in climbing hardware. The trail took us through the rubble along the base of the cliff. We passed one pair of climbers along the way. Soon past the end of the cliffs, the trail reached a viewpoint on top of a tall ledge. I had no idea that this southeast facing viewpoint existed, and it was the best kind of surprise when exploring a new trail!

Shagg Crag

Can you spot the climber?

After enjoying the beautiful view towards Abbotts Pond, we headed back along the trail, and down to where our car was parked. It was a very successful day of new trail exploration, and now I have been down every notable trail that I am aware of on Bald and Speckled Mountains.

View southeast from the viewpoint near Shagg Crag

View south

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Bald & Speckled Mountains Loop 9/15/2026

Having previously hiked a loop over Bald & Speckled Mountains from the Little Concord Pond State Park trailhead, today we hiked the loop from the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trailhead. Heading up the lower part of the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail, there wasn't anything particularly new to note, except for some ribbons and signage put there to keep ATVs on the designated ATV trail. We hiked the loop counterclockwise, so we split off from the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail and continued around the base of the mountain on logging roads and the faint trail crossing a low saddle to Little Concord Pond.

Speckled Mountain Pasture Trailhead

A waterfall along the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail

Little Concord Pond

After hiking along the north shore of the pond, we ascended Bald Mountain, where we started to see multiple groups of other hikers. After a short snack break on top of Bald, we continued on to Speckled. At the summit of Speckled, we had lunch and enjoyed the beautiful views on this early fall day.

View from Bald Mountain

Trail junction near the summit of Bald Mountain

Speckled Mountain summit Geodetic Survey marker

After lunch, we descended back to the car on the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail. The first part of the descent along the ridge with alternating forests and open ledge is always a very enjoyable part of the trail. It's always fun finding new variations on mountains which you've hiked many times!

View northwest from the summit of Speckled Mountain

Sampson at the summit

View east while descending on the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail

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Mount Zircon 8/14/2026

Today, we returned to a local favorite and one of my most hiked mountains, Mount Zircon in Rumford. However, we made a small detour on the way up that I hadn't done before to the old Mount Zircon Reservoir. The trail to the reservoir diverges to the right from the main trail, following a grassy track. Because of the grass, I would probably not hike this trail during peak tick season. After heading downhill for a bit, the trail reaches the dam. The reservoir, now with a much lower water level than when it was in use, is a beautiful spot! It is nestled in a basin surrounded by Thurston Mountain, Hemingway Mountain, Mount Glines, Mount Zircon, and Little Mount Zircon, all of which are visible from the dam. The lowered water level has created a meadow surrounding the water; and the water intake tower has a castle-like appearance. I am very glad that we made the short detour to visit this unique spot!

Mount Zircon Reservoir

Mount Zircon Reservoir

Bridge to the intake tower

Spring & spring house

After our detour, we continued up to the summit. One of my favorite things about Mount Zircon is that there are so many viewpoints near the summit, all facing different directions. I like to choose a different one to linger at each time I hike it. Today, we chose a viewpoint looking northeast towards Rumford and the Androscoggin River Valley. It was a spectacular clear day with a cool breeze at the summit and excellent views. We did see a few other people out on the trail, but it wasn't too busy.

View northeast

View northwest

View west

View south

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Long Mountain 6/21/2026

With the possibility of thunderstorms today, we decided to stay away from any exposed peaks and instead headed to Long Mountain in Albany Township. The lollipop loop on this mountain is part of the Crooked Water Headwaters Forest and is about 5.5 miles long.

Start of the trail

Boardwalk through ferns

Hidden Falls

From the trailhead, we headed up alongside Mill Brook, with its many pretty cascades. At the loop junction, we went right. After continuing to climb along the brook, we reached South Ledge, where we took a snack break.

As usual, Sampson greatly enjoyed the hike!

A steeper section of trail

View from South Ledge

After climbing a little more, we crossed part of the expansive summit plateau. Soon after starting to descend, the trail reached North Ledge, where we had lunch. The views were generally pretty good, although the higher peaks in the Whites and Mahoosucs were in the clouds. Up until this point, we had seen a lot less people than usual for Long Mountain on a summer weekend.

View northwest from North Ledge

View southwest from North Ledge

After lunch, we descended back to the loop junction and the trailhead. We saw a lot more people (and dogs) on this section of trail! It ended up being a great choice for today's hike, and we didn't get rained on at all.

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Bucks Ledge Community Forest 5/1/2026

After a bit of rain yesterday, today went back to the dry, sunny, and windy weather that we have been seeing a lot of lately. We took advantage of another beautiful day by heading over to Bucks Ledge Community Forest in Woodstock. Starting from the main parking lot, we walked up the improved gravel road to the accessible trail and its viewpoint, from which are great views of Bucks Ledge. We then cut over to Mann Road, before ascending Bucks Ledge from the west.

Trailhead

Viewpoint on the accessible trail

Sampson at a trail intersection

At the top of Bucks Ledge

After pausing to enjoy the great views from the top of Bucks Ledge, we continued along the ridge line on the J n J Trail to the top of Moody Mountain. This section of trail was especially enjoyable with its multiple viewpoints along the ridge.

View along the ridge

The summit of Moody Mountain

View from the top of Moody Mountain

After another break at the top of Moody Mountain, we descended the steep trail to the logging road. Before heading up the north side of Lapham Ledge, I took a short out-and-back detour down the Echo Lane Trail, which I hadn't been on yet. It's an easy walk to Rumford Avenue and back, and makes a nice alternative entrance or connection with the elementary school. We enjoyed lunch at the top of Lapham Ledge and then headed back down to the car via the Bucks Ledge Alternate Trail.

Lapham Ledge summit sign

View from Lapham Ledge

Bryant Pond & Mount Christopher

It was an excellent day for a hike, and the trails are all in good shape. Even with a number of cars in the parking lot, we passed only one person on our entire hike, which is rare for this busy trail system!

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