Funded by our Loon Plate money, you would be amazed as to what it cost to have this tower built, along with the countless hours from volunteers.
From what I gather the first tower was built in 1918. The labor came from mill workers for $15.00 dollars a day to lug material up to the top. Today the helicopter alone was 900.00 an hour.
A complete breakdown of costs and volunteer hours are on the bottom of this page.
Located in Grafton Notch Old Speck is the third highest peak in Maine.
A new observatory tower on the summit which commands some outstanding views.
On June 14th the weather started out nice, then, well... it started to rain. Seems that it always rains when I come to old Speck... anyway revisiting a 4000 footer like an old friend I continued on the trail hoping that lightning would not show up. By the time I reached the top the weather had begun to clear, waited to make sure it was clear of lightning then up the tower for those 360 degree views.

Old Speck Trail:
Old Speck Trail being a part of the AT will be blazed in white begins from a parking area on ME 26 in Grafton Notch. At the trailhead you will come to a fork, left is the Old Speck Trail and right will take you Baldpate mountain. At about 1 tenth of a mile heading left on the Old Speck Trail the Eyebrow trail heads right to circle over the top of the 800` cliff where the trail gets its name from.
The Eyebrow Trail ascends very steeply and can be quite unforgiving, its not a long trail, it just wears you down, however there is some areas where the views are quite nice. There is also some spots where crossing a rock face could be treacherous if wet or icy so take care.
The Old Speck Trail will start ascending after crossing a brook, after a series of switcbacks you will approach the falls on Cascade Brook. After the falls the trail will head north crossing the brook for the last time and then pass the upper terminous of the eyebrow trail.
Bearing left the main trail gradually ascends the north ridge, later on turning Southeast toward the summit. The Old Speck Trail turns more south and terminates at the Mahoosuc Trail.Turn left for 0.3 mil. for the flat wooded summit of Old Speck where the new observation tower offers some fine views.

Distances from ME26
to Eyebrow Trail to upper junction 1.1 mil., approx. 1 hour
Link Trail: 3.5 mil. approx. 2hr 40 min
to Mahoosuc Trail: 3.5 mil. approx. 3 hr.
to Old Speck Mtn. summit on the Mahoosuc Trail: 3.8 mil. approx 3 hr. 20 min.