Bald and Speckled Mountains

This is a really satisfying hike. You get a blood-pumping climb, but it’s not too long or strenuous. You get lovely views from two mountains, if you choose to do both. And you can swim at the end in the clear waters of Little Concord Pond.

The more popular way to summit the mountain is via the Speckled Mountain Trail, a wonderful 2.3-mile ascent that starts from Redding Road and brings you to the summits of Bald Mountain and Speckled Mountain. Alternatively, you can take the less traveled Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail from the northeast (see the description below).

Speckled Mountain Trail: The path begins on a wide track, which in about 0.5 miles brings you to the pond, a popular swimming hole. You’ll arrive at an intersection with the 1.1-mile trail circumnavigating the pond. Though at times this can be scratchy with vegetation and a bit rough, it is easy to follow. It was blazed just sporadically when I was there, but always visible. While most people swim close to the south end of the pond, there is a really nice place to swim at the other end, too.

If you head right, up to Bald Peak (1,695 feet), you’ll reach the open ledges in another half mile (so 1 mile from the parking lot), with views of Shagg Pond below. You can do a little 0.2-mile loop trail along the ledges and back into the woods. Note: There’s an unmarked trail to the right as you are heading up Bald Peak that takes you to rock climbing walls.

But you can also continue on to the summit of Speckled Mountain (2,181 feet), 1.3 miles farther. After dipping down into the woods, and then ambling along a relatively level section for 0.6 miles, you’ll get to the start of the final push to the summit. This section is quite steep, and brings you to open ledges. Push on past the rock cairn here and back into the woods again, and walk another 0.3 miles to the summit. Although there are places to rest and take in the views, carry on until you reach the open top, marked by a long, thin pole. 

Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail, by Sam Shirley

A longer and lesser used alternative to the Speckled Mountain Trail, the Speckled Mountain Pasture Trail is a route which ascends the mountain from the northeast. It can be done as an out-and-back or as an outstanding traverse across both Speckled and Bald Mountains. Starting on woods roads down low, the trail ends with a spectacular ridge walk to the summit of Speckled. Although one section has blazes, the trail is otherwise unmarked.

Starting from Dickvale Road, hike up the Searls Orchard Road past the green gate. Follow this woods road uphill, soon paralleling a cascading stream in a gorge below. Keep an eye out for a short side trail leading left to a tall waterfall at the head of the gorge. The woods road will pass a hunting camp before reaching a four-way intersection. Continue straight at this intersection across an ATV bridge. Upon reaching a newer logging road, turn right and follow the road along a contour.

Upon reaching a property boundary, marked with yellow blazes and metal posts on either side of the road, turn left onto the trail just past the property boundary. This is just before entering a large log yard. This section of trail beelines straight up the north slope of the mountain, mostly following the property boundary. There is a significant amount of erosion from water and past motorized vehicle use on this section of trail.

As the trail reaches the ridge line, the best section of hiking begins! The trail eventually trends away from the property boundary (note that the yellow blazes mark the property boundary, not the trail!) and soon reaches a series of large open ledges. The first few ledges provide views southeast, while later ledges provide view north.The trail becomes a narrow footpath connecting the areas of ledge. Its easy to get distracted by the views, and the trail does require some care to find where it reenters the woods after each ledge. This section of trail is marked by faint pink blazes and occasional cairns.

The trail eventually reaches an expansive viewpoint, just before reaching the summit and the Speckled Mountain Trail ascending from the west.

Directions: (For Speckled Mountain Trail) From West Peru, head south on Dickvale Road approximately 8 miles, turning left at the intersection with Shagg Pond Road. The trailhead is on the left after just over a mile.  From the junction of Rtes. 26 and 219 in West Pari, go east on Route 219 for 4.8 miles before turning left on Tuell Hill Road. Once Tuell Hill dead-ends, turn left on Redding Road. Drive past Shagg Pond and up a hill you’ll find a small parking area on the left and the trailhead on the right.

(For the Pasture Trail): From Peru: From the blinking light in the center of Peru, head south on Main Street. The road’s name will change to Dickvale Road, and at 4.8 miles from the blinking light, the road will turn to dirt. The trailhead is on the south side of the road here and is marked by a sign on a gate reading “The Searls Orchard Road.” Park on the roadside here, being sure to avoid blocking the road or driveways. From Little Concord Pond State Park Trailhead: Head west on Redding Road. In 1.4 miles, at a stop sign, turn right onto Concord Pond Road. The road’s name will change to Dickvale Road, and at 4 miles from the turn off Redding Road, the road will turn to pavement. The trailhead is on the south side of the road here and is marked by a sign on a gate reading “The Searls Orchard Road.” Park on the roadside here, being sure to avoid blocking the road or driveways.