Portland, ME: Speckled Mountain Loop

Big summit views, cascading waterfalls, and rocky overlooks highlight this 8.4-mile loop through the lesser-traveled forests of Maine's White Mountains.

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Mapped by Kari Bodnarchuk

Trail Facts

  • Distance: 11.7

Waypoints

SML001

Location: 44.2670516967773, -71.0038299560547

Follow Bickford Brook Trail E into Caribou–Speckled Mtn. Wilderness

SML002

Location: 44.2691345214844, -70.9929809570312

R @ T; take Blueberry Ridge Trail for .5 mi. horseshoe to Lower Bickford Slides, a series of small falls in rocky chutes

SML003

Location: 44.2694511413574, -70.9898834228516

Turn R @ T for 100-ft. jaunt to Lower Slides; retrace steps to jct.; cross brook and turn R onto Blueberry Ridge Trail

SML004

Location: 44.2728843688965, -70.98681640625

Pass waterfall; narrow path with steep dropoffs; cross brook, then take hard L. In 400 ft., R @ T to rejoin Bickford Brook Trail

SML005

Location: 44.2817993164062, -70.9830169677734

Cross creekbed (seasonal water); begin easy switchback ascent; pass through tunnel of pines

SML006

Location: 44.2900009155273, -70.9770355224609

Continue straight @ Spruce Hill Trail jct.

SML007

Location: 44.2899017333984, -70.9629669189453

Straight @ T; blueberry scrub, then steep, rocky summit ascent

SML008

Location: 44.2911491394043, -70.9549865722656

Speckled Mtn. (2,906 ft.). See Mt. Washington’s Tuckerman Ravine to W; Baldface Mtns. rise to SW. Retrace steps to WPT 7; turn L onto Blueberry Ridge Trail

SML009

Location: 44.2762680053711, -70.9681854248047

Cross bare ledges to mossy, rooty trail, then cross quartz rock slabs

SML010

Location: 44.2668495178223, -70.9777526855469

Straight @ 4-way; unmarked rocky hump is Blueberry Mtn. summit. Bear L @ faded sign; follow trail to rock ledge overlook for stunning lake-to-mountain views of Maine’s Western Lakes and Mountains region

SML011

Location: 44.266300201416, -70.9794845581055

Turn L @ T onto Blueberry Ridge Trail. In 500 ft., stay straight @ T; short, very steep, descent on rock slabs and boulders

SML012

Location: 44.2684516906738, -70.9908828735352

Cross brook on mossy, slick rocks; return to WPT 2; turn L and retrace steps

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