The Woodsum Spur traverses the open ledges around the summit of Puzzle before returning to the GLT. Western Section, to AT parking lot in Grafton Notch The western section of the Trail has been open for use since 2003. The Grafton Notch Loop is 39 mile trail that was completed in 2007. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until October. This is a tough little trail! This trail is partially within the 9,993-acre Mahoosuc Ecological Reserve, which, like all Maine State Ecological Reserves, is specifically set aside to protect and monitor natural ecosystems. About 0.1 mile before the southwest summit, the Woodsum Spur trail leaves the main trail to the right. Countless PUDS but the views are spectacular. Hello fellow grease balls. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Friday night we parked at the southern parking lot 985 Maine 26, Newry, ME 04261 Near intersection of Rt 26 and Eddy Rd and hiked the 0.5ish mile south from parking lot to the Grafton Loop Trailhead (44.530831,-70.825252) Parking is not allowed here at this trailhead, hence the road hike. This potentially has the makings of a great trail, but the only views were on Sunday River Whitecap. GF and I did the Western half of this loop from 5/8/2015 to 5/10/2015. Campsites near the Appalachian Trail, the Mahoosuc Range, Grafton State Park & Grafton Loop Trail. Please try again. First five miles are up hill. Appalachian Trail: Beaver River Road to Carolo Col Shelter, Baldpate from the East (Andover) Side via Cataracts Trail and Frye Brook Trail. Started at the south end and hiked 10.2 miles to Slide Mtn campground for the first night. Length 2.1 miElevation gain 1069 ftRoute type Loop Two trails allow for moderate or more challenging options, and for a longer hike continue up to Baldpate Mountain for 5.8-7.6 miles total. The trail across much of the summit is on a unique raised walkway that protects fragile, rare alpine plants from hiker’s boots. We think it’s called the Eyebrow Trail because the trail curves over an exposed cliff with rock grains that are curved like an eye. There is a campsite (Bull Run) 1.9 miles from Old Spec with water and another campsite (Slide) 2.1 miles further with marginal water. I had the Grafton Trail to myself. It felt a bit like glamping, which we enjoyed given our newbie status. In some areas the trail was over grown and we did find a few blow downs. We had both campsites to ourselves each night, but crossed paths with a few other hikers and groups on both Saturday and Sunday. The trail then ascends Long Mountain, following the Andover-Newry town line north over rugged terrain and mostly private land. It is often used by camp and school groups. There was an issue with your submission. All reviews table rock screw auger falls grafton notch hiking trails beautiful area orange trail picnic area nice hike picnic lunch short hike large boulders cold mountain difficult trail scenic drive natural beauty great hiking moderate hike few hours cave speck moose loop. I saw one Moose and many tracks along with plenty of scat. Eyebrow Trail in red (at the north end of the map); Grafton Loop Trail in blue. Our nights were cold, in the 30F's, but reasonable with the gear we had. I will probably go back up with a saw and clear some of the blowdowns, The trail kind of disappears when a 40 ft tree falls on it. This challenging trail traverses the peaks in the Mahoosuc Region above Grafton Notch and the Bear River Valley. All that being said, we had a great 3 days with particularly beautiful views white cap. Some water sources were dried up, particularly at low altitudes (stewart campsite was almost dry, but there's a flowing stream about 1/2 further). I parked my car at the Rattle River Trailhead just off Rt 2, outside of Gorham, NH, and waited for my ride up to the trail head in Grafton Notch about 35 miles north. Occasional problems finding a trail marker, but overall well marked. Lots of PUDS but great view from Sunday River Whitecap. It has become an increasingly popular destination for hikers and backpackers wishing to hike a loop. Oh and it was HOT!. For more information about the LMF program and the places it has helped to protect, please visit the LMF webpage. This 38.2-mile circuit is still the new kid in the hiking guidebook; the eastern half was completed and opened in 2003, while the western half began accepting boot traffic in 2007. This 38.6-mile loop trail located in the Mahoosuc Mountain Range of Maine was completed in 2007. The western section of the Trail has been open for use since 2003. good decline to start difficult but doable climb to white cap gentle climb down to Sargent Brooke camp. We're accepting reservations for the 2020 Camping Season 2020 - OPEN Mid-May through Columbus Day. This byway follows along the Bear River for much of the trip. Only 3.3 miles from Whitecap is the Slide Mountain Campsite, which is … Log in or create an account below to unlock all the great features of Maine trail finder: keep track of trails you want to do, preserve memories of trails you’ve done, earn badges, and more! We hiked just the western portion of the loop on 9/18-20/2020 as our first ever backpacking trip (though we've put some 10-15 mile day hikes in our books this summer). More Eyebrow Trail and Appalachian Trail Loop is a 2.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Newry, Maine that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. Grafton Notch is a magnificent mountain pass in Southwestern Maine, a short drive from Gorham, NH, the last major trail town that Appalachian Trail thru-hikers visit before leaving New Hampshire. This trail is not for the faint hearted as I have done it four times. This massive trail-building effort was done over a six-year period by members of the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition, which includes the Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Division of Parks and Public Lands, the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Maine Conservation Corps, Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, several timber management companies, Sunday River Ski Resort, and other private landowners. © 2021 Maine Trail Finder. After some views to the south and east, the trail descends a long series of rock steps to a campsite and finally down to the Bear River and ME Route 26. This trail passes through a property that was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine’s Future program. Coming north on ME Route 26, the trailhead and parking area will be on the left with signs indicating the state park. Day 2 was certainly the most challenging with the ascent of Baldpate, descent to the road followed by the ascent of Old Speck, however all of this was along the AT with plenty of people and trail marking and maintenance. From the junction of Route 2 and Route 26, travel North on Route 26 (towards Grafton Notch State Park) 4.7 miles and turn right into a gravel parking area. Four campsites between Puzzle and Baldpate. Funding was provided by several private donors and foundations, as well as by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and federal Recreational Trails Program funding. Black flies were most prevalent on the upper slopes. Take the 0.3-mile spur to the left, at approximately 3.5 miles from the trail head, to the summit and observation tower. The most strenuous hiking we had was the decent down the AT to the parking lot; those are long four miles with packs when you're a newbie. Bear box at Slide was left open and full of water. The western portion of Grafton Notch State Park offers two rugged trail experiences offering spectacular views of the Mahoosuc Mountain Range and of Old Speck Mountain on the eastern side of Grafton Notch. Your log in attempt was not successful. I am finally getting started on my baby and I need some assistance. Currently there seems to be plenty of water. We actually arrived at the summit by 'accident'; we heard some voices, turned a corner, and were there! We had lunch at the Sargent Brook campsite, which didn't have any water source we could find. I helped build the trails here in 1994! From here, it heads across a field to a snowmobile bridge across the Bear River. The trail then ascends Lightning Ledges for several good views. Here the Grafton Loop trail branches off and heads south. Sargent Brook Campsite was dry. 6/17-19/20 Started at the Puzzle Mtn parking lot and did the east loop first. I would suggest keeping a GPS handy, because there were several times when I could not see any markers and had to reference my GPS to figure out where the trail was. I get the impression that it does not see a lot of traffic as it is very overgrown, in places it felt like we were bushwhacking because the growth was so thick. Water is available at each campsite. It may be accessed from the Grafton Loop trailhead on Rt. Fun hike. Most people were on the AT. It was similar to a Wilderness Area trail, like you might find in the Wild River. Starting at the Southern trailhead I hiked counter clockwise around the loop, staying at the Lane tent site on night one and Bull Run on night 2. There is a campsite about 2 miles after the summit of Old Speck. There was still snow on anything above 3000 feet. Close to the Sunday River ski area in western Maine near the New Hampshire border, it generally follows the mountain ridge lines that surround Grafton Notch and the Bear River Valley, passing over the summits of Old Speck, the Baldpates, and Sunday River White Cap. Trail was marked, including signs for upcoming camp sites. Completed over 3 days 08/14-16 starting east. Please try again. Still love the hike. After Sunday River Whitecap, the trail skirts the slide on Slide Mountain, descends slightly into the upper Bull Branch (of the Sunday River) valley, and finally climbs the southern flank of Old Speck to reconnect with the AT. Use mileage to determine the correct road as Success Pond Road is an unmarked logging road leaving ME Route 26 on the western side of the road (left side if coming from the State Park). Tough elevation but worth it in the end! After a .5 mile descent, the East Baldpate campsite is on the right. The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile, backcountry hiking experience in the Mahoosuc Mountains of Maine. Sunday's summiting of Old Speck was my favorite part of the hike; super gentle inclines through some beautiful forests. The trail then heads down Puzzle, passing the Stewart Campsite on a short spur to the left, to the valley between Puzzle and Long Mountain, where it crosses the headwaters of Chase Hill Brook (reliable water). Was a hot buggy trip. Grafton Notch Trail is a 53.9 kilometer lightly trafficked loop trail located near Newry, Maine that features a river and is rated as difficult. All reviews table rock screw auger falls grafton notch hiking trails beautiful area orange trail picnic area nice hike picnic lunch short hike large boulders cold mountain difficult trail scenic drive coming down great hiking bug spray experienced hikers three hours moderate hike few hours cave. In the winter, adventurous snowshoers and cross-country skiers enjoy exploring ungroomed trails. From here the trail begins ascending Sunday River Whitecap, passing several open views and then coming out on the open north ridge to finish the climb to the summit where there are views in all directions. Water is pretty abundant throughout, good mix of terrains, and the views are fantastic! The trail leaves from the end of this parking area at the sign. Great hike, up the hill for the first couple miles, demanding but fun. The trail leaves Route 26 and continues 17.1 miles to the summit of East Baldpate where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail. We found the AT section to be the most strenuous, the view from Sunday River Whitecap to be the best, and the summit approach for Old Speck to be our favorite stretch. Southern Trailhead: The southern trailhead is 4.7 miles north on ME Route 26 from the intersection of US Route 2 and ME Route 26 in Newry. Mandymac71 wrote a review Oct 2020. Visit the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Appalachian Mountain Club, and Maine Appalachian Trail Club online for more information and a printable map or contact: Northern Trailhead: This trailhead also serves as the main trailhead for Grafton Notch State Park. It is 4 miles from there, south on the AT back to Route 26 and the large trailhead parking lot in Grafton Notch State Park. The only issue for us was we didn't encounter any water between the base of Stowe Mountain and the Slide Mountain campsite. On my 1988, even with a functioning air vent valve system, the heater core is such a hot element, that it wasn't letting my evaporator work well. Campground had a running stream and 3 sites with 1 bear box. From East: Success Pond Road leaves ME Route 26 about 2.8 miles north of the Appalachian Trail crossing in Grafton Notch State Park. There were some times that the trail was a little touch and go, the section between Town Corner and Lightening Ledge Knob was particularly hard to follow, but not impossible. Got an 87, 6.9l with a banks kit (pre sidewinder, no waste gate) and the turbo needs to be rebuilt. Grafton Notch State Park and Mahoosuc Public Lands West Side of Route 26 •Old Speck Trail (7.6 miles, 7 hours, challenging) affords spectacular views from an open observation tower at the summit. Directions to Grafton Loop Trail trailhead: Grafton Notch State Park has waterfalls, a cave and a couple of big mountains. Privys were functional and the campsites are solid. The Appalachian Trail goes through GNSP. Once a route marked by swift-moving rivers flowing through the mountain valley, the Grafton Notch scenic byway begins in Newry, just north of the Sunday River Ski Area, and travels along Route 26 to Grafton Notch State Park and Lake Umbagog, which crosses the New Hampshire border. Super very unfriendly trail abutters across from western loop trailhead... campsites were clean not busy. Route 26 runs through the middle of the notch and it can easily be reached from the Lakes Region in about three hours. After the cairn on the summit the trail follows open ledges to about .2 miles after the summit where the other end of the Woodsum Spur trail branches to the right. Probably best to hike with a companion Good cell phone reception through out to keep contact with family and friends. We saw a moose, an owl, plenty of toads, and some beautiful birds! West of ME Route 26 (17.5 miles, strenuous): The western section, leaving from the northern trailhead at the A.T. crossing of ME 26, follows the A.T. southbound along Cascade Brook. Along the gradual descent there is a campsite to the right. Water abundantly available in October. 26 by walking south on Route 26 for .5 miles to the trail sign on the road. The only camping is at four designated campsites on the eastern section and four on the western section. It has become an increasingly popular destination for hikers and backpackers wishing to hike a loop. Next day was around 14 miles to Lane Campground. View from Sunday River White Cap was phenomenal! The Grafton Notch/Mahoosuc area encompasses some of Maine’s most spectacular mountain terrain. Grafton Notch State Park is also part of the Maine Birding Trail. From here is the 2.1 mile ascent of East Peak of Baldpate, where, after 17.1 miles, the trail connects the Appalachian Trail. About 1.5 miles from Long Mountain there is reliable water as the trail descends one fork of Wight Brook and the ascends another. Completed in the summer of 2007, the Grafton Loop Trail offers 39 miles of hiking along a trail that connects a series of scenic peaks and other natural features in Maine’s Grafton Notch. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until October. The Glencliff Trail ends at a junction with the Carriage Road in a sag between the South Peak and the main summit. Me rides are fantastic full of water s most spectacular Mountain terrain trail fine. Running stream and 3 sites with 1 Bear box have done it times... Did it in 3 days but have talked to folks that have done it times. Down to Sargent Brooke camp are not frequented by day hikers are significantly overgrown Season 2020 - open Mid-May Columbus. 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