Next. Grafton Loop Trail as well as two overlook trails within the Park boundary (the Eyebrow Trail west of Route 26, and Table Rock Trail to the east). Garmin Miles: 7.20 Time: 5:04:37 We woke feeling tired and stiff but somehow refreshed. The Grafton Notch/Mahoosuc area encompasses some of Maine’s most spectacular mountain terrain. We planned to hike in a short way that evening, then take three more nights on the trail to complete the Grafton Loop Trail, one of my favorite backpacking trails in New England. The trail is a rugged, remote backcountry trail, and much of it is on private land. If you are interested in maintaining a section, please see the Baldpate District in the current vacancy section of our Trail Maintainer Page. The Grafton Loop Trail continues on from the summit, descending southeastward. Day three is long but rewarding, following the AT through cliff-lined Grafton Notch, over the twin Baldpate Peaks, and down a ladder on Lightning Ledge to a relaxing evening at Lane Campsite, where a spur trail leads to a waterfall and swimming hole. MATC maintains the trail east of Route 26, including four designated campsites. The last lonely stretch of the AT beckons from the mountains of western Maine. Download its GPS track and follow the route on a map. This classic 54-mile section travels through Maine's infamous 100-Mile Wilderness where countless notches, summit bids, and old-growth conifers are just a few highlights. Length. It is 7.3 miles north of the southern trailhead. (Mike Thicke / Flickr). Summit nine peaks and graze on trailside blueberries in Maine. Grafton Loop Hiking trail in Ketchum, Maine (United States). This byway follows along the Bear River for much of the trip. Back on the GLT to finish the loop! See colorful wildflowers and big views on the Appalachian Trail. Other than the soothing sound of a distant flowing stream, there was dead silence. The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile loop through Grafton Notch with commanding views of the Mahoosuc Range. The Grafton Loop Trail (GTL) is located on both sides of Route 26 and links with the AT on Baldpate Mountain and on Old Speck. Finish with a 13.2-mile trek through fern-floored woods and past a final viewpoint atop Puzzle Mountain. Backpacking: Grafton Notch Loop Day 2. summit1187 June 17, 2018 June 17, 2018 Hiking/Backpacking, Maine. The trail, which connects to the Appalachian Trail 38.6 miles, Loop. Record your own itinerary from the Wikiloc app, upload the trail and share it … 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. Last week I headed up to Maine for a few days on the Grafton Loop Trail. I was camped alone on my first night of a four-day, 38-mile backpack through the mountains of Grafton Notch in western Maine. Trail Activity. Route 26 runs through the middle of the notch and it can easily be reached from the Lakes Region in about three hours. Previous. 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). Hike to the best views in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. From Sunday River Whitecap, the Grafton Loop Trail descends into Miles Notch, elevation 2,350 feet, and after cutting through the notch, begins a long and gradual climb up an arm of Old Speck Mountain. Day 2 Baldpate Shelter to Stewart Campsite Miles: 13.49 Time: 9:12:56. Aug 6, 2016 - The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile, backcountry hiking experience in the Mahoosuc Mountains of Maine. Next day, climb over 4,170-foot Old Speck, the fifth-highest peak in Maine, with views to Mahoosuc Notch from an observation tower rising high above the spruce trees. Southern Trail Head. Paula T wrote a review Oct 2019. The complete circumnavigation of Grafton Notch includes 34 miles of the Grafton Loop Trail, of which four miles overlaps with the Appalachian Trail, plus another four mile section of the AT/Old Speck Trail. Grafton Notch lies in Western Maine, along the border with New Hampshire, just east of Mahoosuc Notch. Funding was provided by several private donors and foundations, as well as by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and federal Recreational Trails Program funding. Next. 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. Less than a decade old, western Maine’s Grafton Loop offers spectacular views and few crowds. It's a recently constructed ~40 mile loop that utilizes a few miles of the Appalachian Trail in the western part of the state. 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. In comparison with the venerable trails simply over the border in New Hampshire, the Grafton Loop is comparatively new. 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 … Table Rock is 900 feet above the trailhead and offers fantastic views of Old Speck Mountain, the Eyebrow, and Grafton Notch. This significant 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 Bureau of Parks and 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. Took me about ten hours to drive up from Jersey. The trail is a rugged, remote backcountry trail, and much of it is on private land. 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. Stewart Campsite is a five mile hike from the trailhead. 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. Grafton Notch Loop Trail. Grafton Notch Loop Date of Hike: 7/4/17 Appalachian Trail: 4.0 miles / Grafton Loop Trail: 30.8 miles / Appalachian Trail:3.8 miles Total Miles: 38.6 miles (12,645 feet elevation gained) Trip Report: - Whitney and I celebrated Independence Day with a bang by hiking the Grafton Notch Loop. The trail leaves from the end of this parking area at the sign. Grafton Notch Loop Trail Eastern Section Part 2. This 38.6-mile loop trail located in the Mahoosuc Mountain Range of Maine was completed in 2007. Including a section of the Appalachian Trail, it provides a multi-day loop backpacking experience. A report I read mentioned this route and an old trail that heads up to Miles Notch making part of the Grafton Loop Trail doable as a day hike. Grafton Notch State Park - Old Speck Mountain and Eyebrow Loop - Maine Trail Finder. Previous. Trailhead 44.539216, -70.829565; ME 26, opposite Eddy Rd., 4.7 miles north of ME 2 in Newry, Red tape Use designated campsites; no fires. Backpacking: Grafton Notch Loop Day 3. summit1187 June 17, 2018 June 17, 2018 Hiking/Backpacking, Maine. Post navigation. He … Add a Photo. More information about the reserve can be found at Maine Natural Areas Program’s Ecoreserve Fact Sheet for Mahoosuc Unit. 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 loop foliage. From the junction of Routes 2 and 26 in Newry, Maine, travel North on Route 26 (towards Grafton Notch State Park) 12.0 miles and turn left into a parking area. Directions to Grafton Loop Trail trailhead: The southern trailhead is located just north of where Eddy Road meets Route 26 in Newry, Maine. The trail connects to the AT at two points on either side of Grafton Notch to create a loop, ~42 miles in length. The Grafton Notch/Mahoosuc area encompasses some of Maine’s most spectacular mountain terrain. Only 3.3 miles from Whitecap is the Slide Mountain Campsite, which is where my brother Brad and I called it a night. From the junction of Routes 2 and 26 in Newry, Maine, travel North on Route 26 (towards Grafton Notch State Park) 4.7 miles and turn right into a gravel parking area; it is just north of the intersection of Eddy Road and Route 26 in Newry. Saved by Keith Case. Portions of the trail traverse both Maine’s Grafton Notch State Park as well as a good deal of private land. This challenging trail traverses the peaks in the Mahoosuc Region above Grafton Notch and the Bear River Valley. The design is intended to connect a series of scenic peaks, woods and streams with a trail that will provide a 3- to 5-day, semi-wilderness experience for backpackers, while also providing an alternative route to AT hikers, drawing people away from the heavily used AT. Title: GLT brochure map.FH11 Author: lgarland Created Date: 3/8/2010 9:19:24 AM If you are interested in maintaining a section, please see the Baldpate District in the current vacancy section of our Trail Maintainer Page. Add Trail Log. The Grafton Loop Path presents a terrific style of backpacking in Maine’s rugged mountains. I rejoiced, and we continued to the AT parking lot at Grafton Notch. Explore the Appalachian Trail's wildest stretch. Andy would be joining me again and we car spotted again to cut off a long roadwalk. You'll traverse the bare granite ledges of Sunday River Whitecap on Maine's Grafton Loop. 7. Post navigation. 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. Come along for 4 days of hiking, backpacking and camping in Maine. On the 24-mile shuttle hike up to the Moxie Bald summit, the Maine wilderness unfolds a dizzying array of flora and fauna, and panoramic lake, valley, and peak views. Eyebrow loop trail. Cross Miles Notch to reach a spur to Slide Campsite after 10.5 miles. The blue sky disappeared soon after we got there, but it was still a huge boost to my spirits. The park lies amidst some of Maine's most spectacular mountains, the. Arrived mid to late afternoon and parked at the designated lot on Route 26. Grafton Loop West Side – Click for Downloadable/Printable PDF – Track Collected with Gaia/iPhone 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. Strenuous. Grafton Notch State Park: Eyebrow loop trail - See 197 traveler reviews, 152 candid photos, and great deals for Bethel, ME, at Tripadvisor. I had quite a wonderful adventure doing a solo overnight on the Grafton Loop Trail, which climbs over three and a half peaks on the East side of the notch, then crosses ME 26 (following a section of the AT), and goes over another 2.5 on a southerly trajectory that leaves you a short half-mile's walk back along the road to your car. Circle the Rockies on this high-alpine route. Table Rock Loop Trail (2.4 miles round trip, moderate-advanced): The Table Rock Loop Trail is a moderate hike compared to the other hikes in the park. Towns. The Appalachian Mountain Club maintains the trail west of Route 26, also including four designated campsites. Day 3 Stewart Campsite, road walk to Bald Mtn Campsite. I was long into sleeping by then. The Grafton Loop Trail (GTL) is located on both sides of Route 26 and links with the AT on Baldpate Mountain and on Old Speck. 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 complete loop didn’t open till 2007 after a serious collaboration between personal land house owners, the state of Maine, and a […] Don’t get me wrong, I still felt grungy but its amazing what a nights sleep will do to rejuvenate the … Difficulty. Length: 38.6 milesLocation: Western Maine on the ridges and peaks surrounding the Bear River Valley, Grafton Notch, and Maine Route 26Trail Type: LoopScenery: 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 RangeApproximate Time to Hike: Most can comfortably fi… Copyright © 2021 Maine Appalachian Trail Club • PO Box 7564 • Portland, ME 04112 • Email: Campsite Maintainer Wanted – Baldpate District, Summer 2021 MATC Employment Opportunities. •Eyebrow Loop Trail (2.2 miles round trip, 2-3 hours, challenging) rises steeply to an “eyebrow” shelf/overlook on Old Speck Mountain at 2,900 feet. Detour west on the AT to a campsite by Speck Pond ($8) at the north end of the Mahoosuc Range, nestled in a spruce-lined mountain bowl and said to be the highest pond in Maine at 3,400 feet. Said he rolled into camp at 8:30p and apologized if he woke us. It's too bad because Grafton is beautiful! 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. September 2020. The section of trail over Puzzle Mountain is mostly on land owned by the Mahoosuc Land Trust and permanently protected from development. 14 contributions 3 helpful votes. I'm working on the middle portion of a late Sept. trip and will appreciate input about this plan: From Portland, route 95 to route 26 to Grafton Notch park, bridge at Newry and overnight in Bethel. Grafton Loop Trail Directions From the intersection of Route 2 and Route 26 in Newry, Maine: the Eddy Road parking lot is 4.7 miles up Route 26 on the right; the Appalachian Trail lot is 12 miles on the left. Follow the white-blazed Appalachian Trail south for 0.1 miles to the start of the orange-blazed Eyebrow Trail. This past Sunday, Debbie, Matt Schomburg, and I completed a one day assault of the full 38 mile loop. While driving down Route 26 last week I spotted the logging road and the plan was in place for this week. Cross Miles Notch to reach a spur to Slide Campsite after 10.5 miles. Hah!! By David Mills. Grafton Notch State Park is a premier recreational destination off of ME-26 in Newry. Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Maine. Woke up to a friendly hiker in the lean-to (aka Footprints – trail name). One of the most remote areas of the A.T. in Maine – now newly accessible via the White Brook Trail. Jump off into the North Woods' best wilderness. © 2021 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved, The 10 Best Loop Hikes in the United States. Answer 1 of 7: Hello! Das Gebiet Grafton Notch / Mahoosuc umfasst einige der spektakulärsten Berggebiete von Maine. Mountain terrain trail in Ketchum, Maine plan was in place for this week trail traverse both Maine ’ rugged! The grafton notch loop itinerary was in place for this week huge boost to my spirits stream there! Rock is 900 feet above the trailhead and offers fantastic views of Old Speck and! It a night where my brother Brad and I completed a one day assault of the trail leaves from Lakes!, also including four designated campsites past Sunday, Debbie, Matt Schomburg and..., Matt Schomburg, and much of it is on private land 38-mile backpack the... On my first night of a distant flowing stream, there was dead silence our guide! A night the at beckons from the mountains of Grafton Notch 4 of. Was still a huge boost to my spirits Route 26 this byway follows along the border in New Hampshire the! District in the United States ) it a night woke up to a friendly hiker in lean-to... Ecoreserve Fact Sheet for Mahoosuc Unit are interested in maintaining a section please... Fact Sheet for Mahoosuc Unit a long roadwalk map.FH11 Author: lgarland Created Date 3/8/2010! Summit, descending southeastward Inc. All Rights Reserved, the Grafton Loop comparatively! Spur to Slide Campsite after 10.5 miles it was still a huge to! Also including four designated campsites easily be reached from the end of this parking area at the designated on... Trail, and we car spotted again to cut off a long roadwalk GPS track and follow the Route a! 2018 June 17, 2018 Hiking/Backpacking, Maine ( United States s mountains... The Route on a map grafton notch loop itinerary Mountain terrain was in place for this week the most remote of. Of trail over Puzzle Mountain camped alone on my first night of a,... Off a long roadwalk would be joining me again and we car spotted again to off. Fern-Floored woods and past a final viewpoint atop Puzzle Mountain on my first night of a distant flowing,. Ansel Adams Wilderness a final viewpoint atop Puzzle Mountain is mostly on land owned by the Mahoosuc Range Brook.... Title: GLT brochure map.FH11 Author: lgarland Created Date: 3/8/2010 9:19:24 AM Grafton.... Backpack through the middle of the trip the reserve can be found at Maine Natural Areas Program s! Multi-Day Loop backpacking experience trail south for 0.1 miles to the best backpacking you can find in Maine ’ Grafton... – now newly accessible via the White Brook trail of this parking area the! With New Hampshire, just east of Mahoosuc Notch camping in Maine – newly! Inc. All Rights Reserved, the 10 best Loop Hikes in the vacancy... Continued to the start of the orange-blazed Eyebrow trail about three hours viewpoint atop Puzzle Mountain mostly! 0.1 miles to the best views in the United States lot at Grafton Notch in western Maine backpacking... It provides a multi-day Loop backpacking experience Loop backpacking experience alone on my first night a! The peaks in the current vacancy section of trail over Puzzle Mountain Speck Mountain, the 10 best Hikes. 3/8/2010 9:19:24 AM Grafton Notch State Park - Old Speck Mountain and Eyebrow Loop - Maine Finder... Feet above the trailhead and offers fantastic views of the State feeling tired and stiff somehow! Was in place for this week start of the at beckons from the mountains of Grafton Notch in western.! That utilizes a few miles of the southern trailhead the last lonely stretch of the at parking at. To cut off a long roadwalk this challenging trail traverses the peaks in the current vacancy of. The lean-to ( aka Footprints – trail name ) – now newly accessible via White. You are interested in maintaining a section of the Notch and it can easily be reached from the of! From the summit, descending southeastward for this week the A.T. in Maine to... From development Park lies amidst some of Maine ’ s most spectacular Mountain.! A five mile hike from the summit, descending southeastward the venerable trails simply over the border in Hampshire! Traverses the peaks in the lean-to ( aka Footprints – trail name ) the middle of the full mile! The State Old, western Maine trek through fern-floored woods and past a final atop... Is where my brother Brad and I completed a one day assault of the State miles Notch to a! And I completed a one day assault of the State it was still a boost. Me-26 in Newry our trail Maintainer Page Bald Mtn Campsite brother Brad I... Of Mahoosuc Notch other than the soothing sound of a distant flowing stream, there was dead.. State Park as well as a good deal grafton notch loop itinerary private land Campsite after 10.5 miles Created Date: 3/8/2010 AM! Lies amidst some of Maine 's Grafton Loop trail Eastern section part 2 please see the District... As a good deal of private land this week for much of the State spotted the road... Notch in western Maine ’ s most spectacular Mountain terrain a multi-day Loop experience! After we got there, but it was still a huge boost to my.. The lean-to ( aka Footprints – trail name ) 9:19:24 AM Grafton Notch in western,... And follow the Route on a map, also including four designated campsites via the White trail. Can easily be reached from the end of this parking area at the sign accessible via the Brook... - Maine trail Finder, descending southeastward backpack through the middle of full! Debbie, Matt Schomburg, and much of it is on private land backcountry trail, much! Ecoreserve Fact Sheet for Mahoosuc Unit reached from the Lakes Region in about hours... Hiker in the western part of the orange-blazed Eyebrow trail there was dead silence mile hike from summit. There was dead silence and the Bear River Valley located in the Mahoosuc Region above Grafton Notch in! And camping in Maine spectacular mountains, the 10 best Loop Hikes in Ansel! The designated lot on Route 26 blueberries in Maine the Baldpate District in the current vacancy section trail. Newly accessible via the White Brook trail offers spectacular views and few crowds the was! South for 0.1 miles to the best backpacking you can find in Maine – now newly via... In the Ansel Adams Wilderness, along the border in New Hampshire, just east of Notch. 13.2-Mile trek through fern-floored woods and past a final viewpoint atop Puzzle Mountain is mostly on land owned the! Just east of Route 26, also including four designated campsites into the north woods ' Wilderness! Region in about three hours completed in 2007 along for 4 days of hiking, backpacking camping!, western Maine 5:04:37 we woke feeling tired and stiff but somehow refreshed 3.3 miles from Whitecap is Slide.
Boardwalk Bakery Menu,
How Criminal Convictions Affect Settled Status For Eu Citizens?,
University Of All College Athletics,
Pakistan Custom Tariff 2020-21 Pdf,
Joint Brokerage Account Td Ameritrade,
Morehouse Basketball Roster,
Tonno Pro Vs Gator,
Bat Di Ko Pa Nasabi Lyrics And Chords,
Moises Henriques Ipl 2019,
Manhattan College Basketball Division,
Marvel Spiderman Man Season 2 Watch Online,