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 Appalachian Mountain Club maintains the trail west of Route 26, also including four designated campsites. 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. 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. Campsites near the Appalachian Trail, the Mahoosuc Range, Grafton State Park & Grafton Loop Trail. Cairns mark the route over open summits. You can read about my adventures at www.tomcatsadventures.com . Less worn down and in some spots overgrown, but I had no difficulty following the trail. Sargent Mt Campsite to Sunday River Whitecap Mt 1.0 mi The Grafton Loop Trail traverses sections of private land. A few notes that may help others: The eastern half of the Grafton Loop was completed and opened to the public in June 2003. Fortunately, there are eight campsites in addition to the lean-to, so finding an appropriate spot to camp isn’t an issue. For those not deterred by heights, the tower can be climbed. However, an observation tower stands on its summit. 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. Sure, you know about AMC’s famed high-mountain hut system. The idea morphed into the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition (GLTC). The trail overall is in good condition. Lots of good info in here. Eyebrow Trail to Grafton Notch AT Parking 1.1 mi https://www.strava.com/activities/3873658635 we hike with are dogs and wondering if there is a possible way around this for the dogs? I saw a large bull in this section and a smaller cow. 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. • 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. A beautiful, high meadow sits between the East and West Peaks that is traversed on bog bridges. The group’s goal was to develop multi-day hiking opportunities that offer alternatives to heavily used sections of the Appalachian Trail (AT). Backcountry on a Budget: Low-cost & Free Camping in the Northeast. The others are maintained by the Maine ATC. 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 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 Grafton Notch/Mahoosuc area encompasses some of Maine’s most spectacular mountain terrain. Lots of cobwebs encountered. • 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. Mission: build a backpacking loop touring the backcountry's most pristine reaches, and protect it from rampant home development. AMC Outdoors > Bulletin: Around AMC > Web Exclusives. The AMC describes the camping areas along the trail here. I talk about the gear that I took with me. Most of the route features blue blazes. East Baldpate is another open summit with fantastic views. North: From the junction of US 2 and Maine 26 in Newry, head north on 26. 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. 3,812 foot East Baldpate sits near the northern end where the eastern half of the loop intersects the AT. Experienced hikers will appreciate the scenery and relative lack of traffic. The trail hikes over open rock with wooden planks traversing fragile alpine vegetation. Those who make the climb are greeted with stunning 360-degree views from the lofty perch. Several of the campsites offer bear boxes for food. March 23, 2017. As soon as the tarp was up they went in, and stayed in for the night. Day 2: 8.5 mi The western half is a 13 mile stretch, beginning on Route 26, south of the eastern half’s trailhead. Fortunately, there are eight campsites in addition to the lean-to, so finding an appropriate spot to camp isn’t an issue. Bald Mt Campsite to Sargent Mt Campsite 3.4 mi The trek along the ridge between all the campsites was pleasant with many stream crossings, several potential swimming holes (especially between Knoll and Lane), and minimal elevation change overall. The route 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. Grafton Loop Trail Campsites. https://www.strava.com/activities/3878370921 South: From the junction of US 2 and Maine 26 in Newry, head north on 26. 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. Bull Run Campsite to Old Speck Mt 1.6 mi Grafton Notch Campground in Newry, Maine. 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. All of the campsites appear to have bearboxes, outhouses and usable water sources. Starting at the southern end will also begin and end your trip near the low point of the loop. ** Regardless of the source, remember to boil, filter, or chemically purify water before use. When shining a headlamp outside the tent, numerous mice could often be seen. The longest stretch without a campsite is on the northern end of the loop between Baldpate Lean-to and Bull Run tent site south of Old Speck, approaching eight miles between sites. They are used here with permission. After I thru-hiked the AT in 1999, I never worked full time again. Though the trail is a long loop, there are several options for hiking trips here. https://www.strava.com/activities/3879624057. It's a recently constructed ~40 mile loop that utilizes a few miles of the Appalachian Trail in the western part of the state. By late October, snow isn’t unusual. * shelter: site with a three-sided lean-to and no designated tenting area. As far as clockwise or counterclockwise, the trail can be hiked in either direction and there doesn’t seem to be any real advantage one way or another. 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. Compared to the venerable trails just over the border in New Hampshire, the Grafton Loop is relatively new. Old Speck Mountain: At 4,170 feet, Old Speck is the highest summit on the Grafton Loop and the fifth highest peak in Maine. All of the designated camping areas have a water source. 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 only camping is at 8 designated campsites on the trail. Hiking the Grafton Loop - Camping in Maine - Duration: 48:52. sintax77 63,014 views. PLAN YOUR Summer Adventures! https://www.strava.com/activities/3878374720 North of Stewart tent site the trail crosses and follows several brooks en route to East Baldpate. Perhaps you’ve stayed in a few (or all!) Grafton Loop Trip Experience. Trail Connections is a proud member of the following: Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association; Appalachian Mountain Club There are two trailheads that access the Grafton Loop Trail, one near the north end of the loop and one at the southern end. The Grafton Loop Trail allows backpackers to experience a multiday backpacking trip in fairly remote and rugged terrain. I did have one tick but it was only on my sock. My stay at Stewart Campsite was a peaceful one. Took me about ten hours to drive up from Jersey. 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. 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. https://www.strava.com/activities/3878371495 The complete loop didn’t open till 2007 after a serious collaboration between personal land house owners, the state of Maine, and a […] 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 AT portion uses white blazes. 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. Starting at the southern trailhead does seem to have a few advantages. We're accepting reservations for the 2020 Camping Season 2020 - OPEN Mid-May through Columbus Day. Guide & Map (24x18-inches PDF 1.5MB). 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. Elevations range from around 700 feet near the southern end of the trail, to 4,170 feet on the summit of Old Speck. Last summer I helped build a privy at one of the campsites. 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 open summit offers 360 degree views and is arguably the best vista on the loop. The longest stretch without a campsite is on the northern end of the loop between Baldpate Lean-to and Bull Run tent site south of Old Speck, approaching eight miles between sites. 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. In spite of the comedy of errors on my first night of hiking, it still ended up being a marvelous trip. tentsite: site with just tent platforms or pads in designated area and no shelter/lean-to. Thanks! In comparison with the venerable trails simply over the border in New Hampshire, the Grafton Loop is comparatively new. 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 loop features excellent scenery with challenging, yet fun terrain. The southern trailhead sees less traffic and is less likely to fill up during crowded periods. Ladders, rungs, exposed rock, stairs, and boardwalks add to the already difficult terrain. Water is available at each campsite. Water is available at each campsite. 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.) 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. Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129 P: 617-523-0655 F: 617-523-0722. 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. Despite the challenging terrain, beginners will appreciate the obtainable distance and the nine campsites throughout the loop that allow for a casual pace if desired for those not looking to rush. The Grafton Loop Path presents a terrific style of backpacking in Maine’s rugged mountains. In our busy White Mountain campsites, we rely on the caretaker program to protect the resources of trees, soil, and water quality, and the campsite infrastructure itself, during periods of high use. The views stretch down the Mahoosuc Range into the Presidentials. I appreciate your extensive review! The trail can be difficult to follow at times. Last day on the Grafton Loop Trail. Day 3: 5.1 mi © Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved. Grafton Loop Trail Campsites. 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 route There is also a direct view of Sunday River Ski Area. As an added bonus, gray jays frequently greet hikers that linger long enough near the summit. Trail Connections is a proud member of the following: Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association; Appalachian Mountain Club The summit has a viewing area that takes in much of the Mahoosuc Range and stretches toward the Presidential Range on the horizon. Despite the lower elevation, the climbing is somewhat more gradual in either direction from the southern trailhead. to Slide Mt Campsite 3.1 mi Snow patches can linger in shaded areas well into May during snowier years. The western section of the Grafton Loop Trail (GLT) covers 17.1 scenic miles from the Eddy Road parking lot to the Appalachian Trail lot, both on Route 26. Mud and biting insects could cause problems early in the season. 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. I used my Garmin to track mileages (which seem to differ at times from the AMC signage): They are used here with permission. The best weather for hiking the Grafton Loop is between late May and mid-October. After living in Maine for eight years, the hike easily ranks as one of my favorite hikes in the state. Bears also make this area home. I helped build the Grafton Loop Trail during the summer 0f 2000. 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. Thanks for your support! 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. The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile loop through Grafton Notch with commanding views of the Mahoosuc Range. The southern end of the loop between Bald Mountain and Stewart tent sites travels just over seven miles between designated sites, so plan accordingly. Backpackers of all experience levels will find the the loop a worthy destination. 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. Old Speck Mt to Eyebrow Trail 2.4 mi Different than most hiking in the White Mountains; trails are much less traveled. Take note that the western portion of the trail is accessed .6 miles south of this trailhead via a road walk on 26. 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. It's a beautiful place set on the side of Puzzle Mountain near a small brook. of them. Loved the trail. Grafton Loop Trail - Day One - Stewart Campsite Trekking On. Whether new to backpacking or a seasoned veteran, the Grafton Loop Trail offers something for everyone. The trail crosses lengthy stretches of open rock marked with cairns. The coalition worked with private landholders to gain right-of-way via temporary access, easement, or outright purchase. The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile, backcountry hiking experience in the Mahoosuc Mountains of Maine. 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. As a result, camping is limited to designated sites and the Baldpate Lean-to on the AT portion of the loop. Gray jays also frequent the area. We're accepting reservations for the 2020 Camping Season 2020 - OPEN Mid-May through Columbus Day. Grafton Loop Trail (GLT) This was my second time hiking through this park, so this was a bit of a rematch for me. Portions of the trail traverse both Maine’s Grafton Notch State Park as well as a good deal of private land. The trail connects to the AT at two points on either side of Grafton Notch to create a loop, ~42 miles in length. 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. For the AMC, this was the first major trail constructed by the club since the building of the Centennial Trail in the Mahoosucs in 1976. The AMC website offers a basic trail description with camping information here and a map here. https://www.strava.com/activities/3878368520 To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. 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). https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maine/grafton-notch-trail But mostly it's because I love to work on trail projects and help bring new trails to life. The coalition worked with private landholders to gain right-of-way via temporary access, easement, or outright purchase. 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. Our campsite for the night was Slide Mountain Campsite. The closest campsite from the road is 5 miles in, on the other side of 3,000-foot Puzzle Mountain. The Grafton Loop Trail, in the Mahoosucs Range of Western Maine, is one of the newest major trails to be built in New England. 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