Seventeen miles are newly constructed trail, which traverse four mountain peaks and include five primitive campsites. Excellent synopsis! However, an observation tower stands on its summit. I used my Garmin to track mileages (which seem to differ at times from the AMC signage): The trail crosses lengthy stretches of open rock marked with cairns. * shelter: site with a three-sided lean-to and no designated tenting area. For those that haven’t experienced gray jays, they will linger near hikers and take food from your hand. Took me about ten hours to drive up from Jersey. Rob Burbank. The best weather for hiking the Grafton Loop is between late May and mid-October. Endless peaks can be seen in every direction. Traversing the Bear River, Sunday River-Whitecap and Miles Notch, this part of the trail ends on the summit of Old Speck Mountain at its junction with the Mahoosuc Trail/AT. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maine/grafton-notch-trail The eastern half of the Grafton Loop was completed and opened to the public in June 2003. The numbers: 39 miles, 3 to 4 days The hike: Crossing nine peaks, this route links a rocky section of the AT with 31 miles of smooth singletrack for a view lover’s tour de force.Start at the south end and hike clockwise, traversing the bare granite ledges of Sunday River Whitecap, where tasty blueberries (ripe in August) from trailside bushes will compete with the views for your attention. The Grafton Loop Path presents a terrific style of backpacking in Maine’s rugged mountains. Campsites near the Appalachian Trail, the Mahoosuc Range, Grafton State Park & Grafton Loop Trail. 48:52. Old Speck Mt to Eyebrow Trail 2.4 mi It's a recently constructed ~40 mile loop that utilizes a few miles of the Appalachian Trail in the western part of the state. Mahoosuc Public Lands & Grafton Notch State Park - Some of the most challenging terrain along the Appalachian Trail as well as the 38 mile Grafton Loop Trail provide a memorable mountain setting for backpacking in western Maine. The eastern portion of the loop travels through areas that were logged with lots of new dense vegetation that would be a good opportunity for ticks to grab onto you. There are several side trails that can be added to the loop and the Maine Mountain Guide covers these trails in detail as well. The numbers: 39 miles, 3 to 4 days The hike: Crossing nine peaks, this route links a rocky section of the AT with 31 miles of smooth singletrack for a view lover’s tour de force.Start at the south end and hike clockwise, traversing the bare granite ledges of Sunday River Whitecap, where tasty blueberries (ripe in August) from trailside bushes will compete with the views for your attention. The dogs were exhausted. Portions of the trail traverse both Maine’s Grafton Notch State Park as well as a good deal of private land. I talk about the gear that I took with me. Grafton Loop Trail Campsites. Day 2: 8.5 mi I enjoy all things outdoors including hiking/backpacking, mountain biking, skiing, xc skiing, kayaking, and writing about my experiences. PLAN YOUR Summer Adventures! Heading south from the summit, steel rungs built into the rock are needed to traverse steep cliffs. A large parking area is on the right, 4.7 miles from the junction across from Eddy Road, here. The remainder of the trail (another 21 miles) opened in June 2007. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. The area was overrun with mice at night. But mostly it's because I love to work on trail projects and help bring new trails to life. Trail Connections is a proud member of the following: Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association; Appalachian Mountain Club Snow patches can linger in shaded areas well into May during snowier years. When shining a headlamp outside the tent, numerous mice could often be seen. The AT travels near abundant water between Grafton Notch and Old Speck. The western half is a 13 mile stretch, beginning on Route 26, south of the eastern half’s trailhead. Those who make the climb are greeted with stunning 360-degree views from the lofty perch. This major trail effort was a cooperative effort among private landowners, the state of Maine, and nonprofit organizations such as the AMC. - We jumped in the Jeep, headed south on ME 26, retrieved Whitney's car, headed home, grilled up some burgers, downed a few cold ones, and talked about how awesome the Grafton Loop Trail was. Grafton Loop Trail Campsites. The only camping is at 8 designated campsites on the trail. Approximately two-thirds of the trail’s length is on private lands with the remainder located on public lands managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. The Grafton Loop Trail allows backpackers to experience a multiday backpacking trip in fairly remote and rugged terrain. Few wet spots. Aside from the AT portion of the loop, the Grafton Loop remains largely undiscovered, as the trail has only been fully open since 2007. For detailed trail mileage and a map, the most recent edition of the Maine Mountain Guide by Carey Kish is a great resource that covers the entire trail. The 2008 trip was one of our classic adventures, and I wrote about it a the time. A few notes that may help others: After I thru-hiked the AT in 1999, I never worked full time again. Grafton Loop Trail (GLT) This was my second time hiking through this park, so this was a bit of a rematch for me. The trail spends most of its time in the forest, with a handful of open summits that offer classic Maine mountain views stretching all the way the Presidential Range in New Hampshire. The Grafton Loop Trail traverses sections of private land. All of the campsites appear to have bearboxes, outhouses and usable water sources. The loop was built with backpackers in mind. Hi, I'm Troy, AKA- TOMCAT. Combined with the 21.1 miles of the eastern section , the Grafton Loop Trail is 38.2 miles of backpacking fun that’s ideal for fall foliage adventures. East Baldpate Mountain:  East Baldpate gives Sunday River White Cap a run for its money as the best view on the loop. The northern trailhead also access the AT and several other trails, including the route to Old Speck, which is popular with peakbaggers, causing this trailhead to be much more crowded and potentially full. The trail traverses over eight summits including several that are open and exposed. A large parking area is on the left, 12.1 miles from the junction here. We're accepting reservations for the 2020 Camping Season 2020 - OPEN Mid-May through Columbus Day. Grafton Loop Trail - Day One - Stewart Campsite Trekking On. You can read about my adventures at www.tomcatsadventures.com . The Grafton Loop Trail (West Section) The Grafton Loop Trail is a new trail completed in 2007 that is designed to help take some of the pressure off the nearby section of the Appalachian Trail and the Speck Pond campsite which receive very heavy use. Best Camping in Grafton on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 5 camping in Grafton, Australia. Sunday River White Cap:  This 3,335-foot summit is a real gem that would be easily forgotten if not for the Grafton Loop Trail. I personally recommend the Lane tent site on the eastern section of the trail. As soon as the tarp was up they went in, and stayed in for the night. After living in Maine for eight years, the hike easily ranks as one of my favorite hikes in the state. • Grafton Loop Trail (38 miles, 3 or more days, chal-lenging), a high-elevation, backcountry trail with seven primitive campsites, connects a series of nine scenic peaks, including Old Speck, Sunday River Whitecap, Puzzle Mountain, and East and West Baldpate. I encountered almost no other people on the trail. The AMC website offers a basic trail description with camping information here and a map here. While staying there on a backpacking trip of the Grafton Loop over July 4th weekend a few years back, we camped in the area by lean-to. The trail, which connects to the Appalachian Trail at Old Speck and the East Peak of Baldpate Mountain on either side of ME Route 26, highlights the natural features and mountain peaks of the area encircling Bear River Valley. According to the AMC, the brook by Stewart tent site can be unreliable. Whether new to backpacking or a seasoned veteran, the Grafton Loop Trail offers something for everyone. In spite of the comedy of errors on my first night of hiking, it still ended up being a marvelous trip. PLAN YOUR Summer Adventures! Compared to the venerable trails just over the border in New Hampshire, the Grafton Loop is relatively new. 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. Water is available at each campsite. Campsites near the Appalachian Trail, the Mahoosuc Range, Grafton State Park & Grafton Loop Trail. Since then I have hiked the Long Trail, Cohos Trail, parts of the PCT, much of the Colorado Trail, numerous other backpacking trips, and countless day hikes. The Grafton Notch/Mahoosuc area encompasses some of Maine’s most spectacular mountain terrain. The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile, backcountry hiking experience in the Mahoosuc Mountains of Maine. The summit by itself isn’t too impressive. Sure, you know about AMC’s famed high-mountain hut system. Most of the route features blue blazes. Bring a shelter for use at the tent sites. The trail hikes over open rock with wooden planks traversing fragile alpine vegetation. While rodents aren’t unusual at backcountry sites and lean-tos, particularly on the AT, I have a word of caution on the Baldpate Lean-to. 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. The best opportunities for moose seem to be on the private land between Puzzle Mountain and Long Mountain, where logging has occurred. Starting at the southern trailhead does seem to have a few advantages. Two trailheads allow backpackers to split the loop into two halves, while several shorter day-hike options reach the … Arrived mid to late afternoon and parked at the designated lot on Route 26. Ladders aid hikers over rocky drops. Cairns mark the route over open summits. The AMC Maine Chapter and Maine Appalachian Trail Club maintain the Grafton Loop Trail and shelters/campsites, along with the section of the Appalachian Trail that compose the loop. The eastern half of the GLT consists of a 21-mile arc that leaves Route 26 in Newry, Maine, and returns to the road in Grafton Notch State Park via four miles on Appalachian Trail (AT). In comparison with the venerable trails simply over the border in New Hampshire, the Grafton Loop is comparatively new. tentsite: site with just tent platforms or pads in designated area and no shelter/lean-to. They are used here with permission. A beautiful, high meadow sits between the East and West Peaks that is traversed on bog bridges. The vantage point offers an interesting look toward Mahoosuc Notch, a short distance from the summit. East Baldpate is another open summit with fantastic views. Construction of this leg of the trail involved many individuals and organizations, including the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, the Maine Conservation Corps and the AMC. There are two trailheads that access the Grafton Loop Trail, one near the north end of the loop and one at the southern end. If you go clockwise, you’ll find sometimes that the blue blazes along the trail are not easy to spot, especially at dawn or dusk. to Slide Mt Campsite 3.1 mi The Grafton Loop is a roughly 39 mile, 9 summit hiking loop formed by connecting a portion of the Appalachian trail with the Grafton Loop Trail. The temperatures start to cool in September, with less humidity and haze. Ladders, rungs, exposed rock, stairs, and boardwalks add to the already difficult terrain. Location: Western Maine on the ridges and peaks surrounding the Bear River Valley, Grafton Notch, and Maine Route 26, Scenery:  Forests and brooks with small waterfalls give way to numerous open summits with views across western Maine’s rugged mountains, especially the Mahoosuc Range, and into New Hampshire to the Presidential Range, Approximate Time to Hike: Most can comfortably finish the loop in three to five days. Use caution on the east side of the loop between Puzzle and Long Mountains, where vegetation obscures the trail in the vicinity of past logging operations. The route As a result, camping is limited to designated sites and the Baldpate Lean-to on the AT portion of the loop. AMC Outdoors > Bulletin: Around AMC > Web Exclusives. You can also check out Tomcat's Outdoor Adventures on Facebook here... https://www.facebook.com/Tomcats-Outdoor-Adventures-1708122116123572/. Bull Run Campsite to Old Speck Mt 1.6 mi Day 2 Stats: Grafton Loop Trail, Campsite Spurs - 16.8mi, 4950' gain, 10hr 10min taken Day 3 Stats: Grafton Loop Trail, Campsite Spurs, Appalachian Trail - 11.6mi, 3250' gain, 7hr 5min taken This hike has been on the to-do list for 12 years now, and especially the last 3-4 years, but somehow it still never happened until now. The AT portion uses white blazes. The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile loop through Grafton Notch with commanding views of the Mahoosuc Range. South: From the junction of US 2 and Maine 26 in Newry, head north on 26. There is also a direct view of Sunday River Ski Area. The only camping is at 8 designated campsites on the trail. The 2008 trip was one of our classic adventures, and I wrote about it a the time. The Grafton Loop Trail offers a great taste of backpacking in Maine’s rugged mountains. Puzzle Mountain:  Puzzle Mountain, sitting near the southern end at 3,142 feet, is another peak that would probably be forgotten if not for the Grafton Loop. Last summer I helped build a privy at one of the campsites. Thanks to the AMC and the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition, 30 miles of new trails were built since 2002. Bald Mt Campsite to Sargent Mt Campsite 3.4 mi If you go clockwise, you’ll find sometimes that the blue blazes along the trail are not easy to spot, especially at dawn or dusk. AMC Outdoors > Bulletin: Around AMC > Web Exclusives. The Grafton Loop Trail traverses sections of private land. The terrain below the summit is just as impressive. With all the great hiking in Maine, the Grafton Loop Trail is a rarity for the state: a multi-day backpacking loop on the outskirts of the White Mountains. Sargent Mt Campsite to Sunday River Whitecap Mt 1.0 mi Several of the campsites offer bear boxes for food. Oct 3, 2012 - Information on Grafton Loop Trail backcountry campsites and shelters. For those looking to expand on their Grafton Loop experience, the 1.8-mile Woodsum Spur Trail follows the open ledges of Puzzle Mountain before rejoining the loop. The open summit offers 360 degree views and is arguably the best vista on the loop. Backcountry on a Budget: Low-cost & Free Camping in the Northeast. The route in the northern sections of the loop … The southern end of the loop between Bald Mountain and Stewart tent sites travels just over seven miles between designated sites, so plan accordingly. 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. This would be a nice spot to end the day early to enjoy the brook, with waterfalls that make nice swimming holes on hot days. Outdoor Research MicroGravity AscentShell Jacket Review, Best Hiking and Camping Gear Deals from the REI End of Season Clearance Sale, Year in Review: 19 of The Trek's Top Posts from 2020, Enlightened Equipment Uprising Hammock Underquilt Review, Senate Considers Bill Ending Ban on Mountain Bikes in Wilderness Areas, My Five Favorite Hiking Foods That I Eat Every Day, My Favorite Gear for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike, https://www.strava.com/activities/3870759583, https://www.strava.com/activities/3873658635, https://www.strava.com/activities/3878368520, https://www.strava.com/activities/3878370921, https://www.strava.com/activities/3878371495, https://www.strava.com/activities/3878372815, https://www.strava.com/activities/3878374720, https://www.strava.com/activities/3879624057. The Appalachian Trail maps and the ATC logos used on this website are the property of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and are protected by copyright and trademark registrations. Starting at the southern end will also begin and end your trip near the low point of the loop. The new sections of trail are connected on the northern end by nearly eight miles of the AT between East Baldpate Mountain and Old Speck, creating one of New England’s best backpacking loops. It's a beautiful place set on the side of Puzzle Mountain near a small brook. The trail traverses strenuous terrain with substantial elevation changes. Elevations range from around 700 feet near the southern end of the trail, to 4,170 feet on the summit of Old Speck. We’d like to collect data and track the usage of these sites. Mud and biting insects could cause problems early in the season. We're accepting reservations for the 2020 Camping Season 2020 - OPEN Mid-May through Columbus Day. Lots of cobwebs encountered. In the quieter Grafton Loop Trail, we rely on visitors themselves, and AMC only checks on … https://www.strava.com/activities/3878372815 I just completed the Western half of the loop in two nights three days (Wed/Thurs/Fri 8/5/20-8/7/20) starting at the southern end. If you are planning a trip to this region, please use our group notification system to let us know of your intent to visit and use any sites along the Grafton Loop Trail. • Grafton Loop Trail (38 miles, 3 or more days, chal-lenging), a high-elevation, backcountry trail with seven primitive campsites, connects a series of nine scenic peaks, including Old Speck, Sunday River Whitecap, Puzzle Mountain, and East and West Baldpate. The idea morphed into the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition (GLTC). Day 3: 5.1 mi I appreciate your extensive review! Lots of good info in here. The route Though the trail is a long loop, there are several options for hiking trips here. The trail is a rugged, remote backcountry trail, and much of it is on private land. On the western half of the trail, expect to use the brooks by ten tsites for water except for the southern two miles between Bald Mountain tent site and the southern trailhead where the trail follows a small brook. Here I am with a group of volunteers as we started work on two separate privies on the Grafton Loop Trail in Maine. Thanks! The closest campsite from the road is 5 miles in, on the other side of 3,000-foot Puzzle Mountain. The full loop didn’t open until 2007 after a major collaboration between private land owners, the state of Maine, and several conservation groups, including the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and the Maine Appalachian Trail Conference (MATC.) The trail passes by the summit of Puzzle Mountain and follows numerous open sections with fine views. https://www.strava.com/activities/3878370921 As a result, camping is limited to designated sites and the Baldpate Lean-to on the AT portion of the loop. The idea morphed into the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition (GLTC). All photos are from the author with the exception of the waterfall, jay, and banner, which were taken by Josh Rosenthal. Perhaps you’ve stayed in a few (or all!) Appalachian Trail, Grafton Loop Trail, Woodsum Spur Trail, Lane Campsite Spur, Knoll Campsite Spur, Town Corner Campsite Spur, bushwhacks, Stewart Campsite Spur: Date of Hike: Thursday, September 17, 2020: ... With all the out and backs to campsites and viewpoints we did 17.1 miles. They are used here with permission. By late October, snow isn’t unusual. Old Speck Mountain:  At 4,170 feet, Old Speck is the highest summit on the Grafton Loop and the fifth highest peak in Maine. https://www.strava.com/activities/3873658635 The Appalachian Mountain Club maintains the trail west of Route 26, also including four designated campsites. The others are maintained by the Maine ATC. Only concern is the ladder that you picture in this article. https://www.strava.com/activities/3878374720 While the ambitious, veteran backpacker could knock the loop out as an overnight trip, the layout of the trail allows those in less of a hurry to hike the route comfortably in three to five days. In spite of the comedy of errors on my first night of hiking, it still ended up being a marvelous trip. Grafton Loop Trip Experience. of them. The Grafton Loop Trail, in the Mahoosucs Range of Western Maine, is one of the newest major trails to be built in New England. Backcountry on a Budget: Low-cost & Free Camping in the Northeast. The trail can be difficult to follow at times. The Grafton Loop is a roughly 39 mile, 9 summit hiking loop formed by connecting a portion of the Appalachian trail with the Grafton Loop Trail. The loop features excellent scenery with challenging, yet fun terrain. The views stretch down the Mahoosuc Range into the Presidentials. Grafton Loop Trail Campsites. Mission: build a backpacking loop touring the backcountry's most pristine reaches, and protect it from rampant home development. Gray jays also frequent the area. Trail Correspondents 2021: Apply to Join the Team! ** Regardless of the source, remember to boil, filter, or chemically purify water before use. https://www.strava.com/activities/3878371495 While I never saw a bear in this area, they are not uncommon. North:  From the junction of US 2 and Maine 26 in Newry, head north on 26. The trail connects to the AT at two points on either side of Grafton Notch to create a loop, ~42 miles in length. 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