Chase Outdoors

Normally, we plan a substantive winter trip in the mountains over the New Year’s holiday.  In the past, we’ve enjoyed expeditions to Baxter State Park climbing Katahdin or the Traveler Peaks, backpacking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire or peak bagging Vermont’s Green Mountains.  The goal being to take full advantage of our wonderful New England summits.  This year a bad weather forecast and congested personal calendar precluded an extended mountaineering adventure.  Our choice was a day hike with friends climbing little-known and secluded Bald and Speckled Mountains in Maine’s Oxford Hills on New Year’s Eve.  Beginning near Shagg Pond in the Mount Zircon quadrangle, we ascended to the ledges at the summit of Bald Mountain where we enjoyed expansive views of the Oxford Hills area.  Our group encountered steady snow as we descended through a sparse hardwood forest and then climbed steeply on the south slope of Speckled Mountain.  We used micro spikes and stableicers for traction on icy, precipitous ledges near the top.  Falling snow negated the usual spectacular views, but stormy weather in the mountains is a uniquely compelling experience.   Finishing our trek in just under five hours, we were able to escape the rugged mountain roads ahead of the full force of the storm.  For details on 30 of the best, most scenic mountain hikes in New England, refer to our book, Mountains for Mortals - New England or visit our website at www.ronchaseoutdoors.com.