26 to Bald Mt Campsite 1.68 mi https://www.strava.com/activities/3870759583 They are used here with permission. Oct 3, 2012 - Information on Grafton Loop Trail backcountry campsites and shelters. The closest campsite from the road is 5 miles in, on the other side of 3,000-foot Puzzle Mountain. The AMC website offers a basic trail description with camping information here and a map here. Bears also make this area home. PLAN YOUR Summer Adventures! 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. I personally recommend the Lane tent site on the eastern section of the trail. More than half a dozen backcountry campsites allow backpackers to split the trip up in many different ways. Different than most hiking in the White Mountains; trails are much less traveled. https://www.strava.com/activities/3878371495 As soon as the tarp was up they went in, and stayed in for the night. Grafton Loop Trail Campsites. For those that haven’t experienced gray jays, they will linger near hikers and take food from your hand. You can read about my adventures at www.tomcatsadventures.com . I saw a large bull in this section and a smaller cow. Take note that the western portion of the trail is accessed .6 miles south of this trailhead via a road walk on 26. In a dry year, later in the season, plan accordingly in the event that the brook is not flowing. The open summit offers 360 degree views and is arguably the best vista on the loop. 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. Trail Connections is a proud member of the following: Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association; Appalachian Mountain Club As a result, camping is limited to designated sites and the Baldpate Lean-to on the AT portion of the loop. The western half is a 13 mile stretch, beginning on Route 26, south of the eastern half’s trailhead. You can also check out Tomcat's Outdoor Adventures on Facebook here... https://www.facebook.com/Tomcats-Outdoor-Adventures-1708122116123572/. East Baldpate Mountain:  East Baldpate gives Sunday River White Cap a run for its money as the best view on the loop. The route Heading south from the summit, steel rungs built into the rock are needed to traverse steep cliffs. The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile loop through Grafton Notch with commanding views of the Mahoosuc Range. campsite: site with both shelter/lean-to and tent platforms or pads in designated area. 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 trail can be difficult to follow at times. Rob Burbank. Portions of the trail traverse both Maine’s Grafton Notch State Park as well as a good deal of private land. to Slide Mt Campsite 3.1 mi 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. 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. I talk about the gear that I took with me. March 23, 2017. Fortunately, there are eight campsites in addition to the lean-to, so finding an appropriate spot to camp isn’t an issue. Starting at the southern end will also begin and end your trip near the low point of the loop. As a result, camping is limited to designated sites and the Baldpate Lean-to on the AT portion of the loop. Excellent synopsis! The trail passes by the summit of Puzzle Mountain and follows numerous open sections with fine views. 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. The group’s goal was to develop multi-day hiking opportunities that offer alternatives to heavily used sections of the Appalachian Trail (AT). I enjoy all things outdoors including hiking/backpacking, mountain biking, skiing, xc skiing, kayaking, and writing about my experiences. Grafton Loop Trail Campsites. Old Speck Mountain:  At 4,170 feet, Old Speck is the highest summit on the Grafton Loop and the fifth highest peak in Maine. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Portions of the trail traverse both Maine’s Grafton Notch State Park as well as a good deal of private land. Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129 P: 617-523-0655 F: 617-523-0722. Campsites near the Appalachian Trail, the Mahoosuc Range, Grafton State Park & Grafton Loop Trail. 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. You could here them walking and jumping through the vegetation, which is surprisingly loud and disturbing for such a small animal. 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. I was wondering if u saw ticks: I heard a report of some from someone else. 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. Here I am with a group of volunteers as we started work on two separate privies on the Grafton Loop Trail in Maine. Multiple blow downs that are easy to navigate around. 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. of them. I used my Garmin to track mileages (which seem to differ at times from the AMC signage): A large parking area is on the left, 12.1 miles from the junction here. 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. Water is available at each campsite. All of the campsites appear to have bearboxes, outhouses and usable water sources. * shelter: site with a three-sided lean-to and no designated tenting area. • 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. Sunday River Whitecap Mt. This 38-mile trail, by connecting to an 8-mile section of the Appalachian Trail (AT), forms a loop encircling Grafton Notch in western Maine, near the village of Bethel. 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. The idea morphed into the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition (GLTC). But mostly it's because I love to work on trail projects and help bring new trails to life. The trail connects to the AT at two points on either side of Grafton Notch to create a loop, ~42 miles in length. Just to clarify, no prior reservation or permit is required for camping at along the Grafton Loop? Last day on the Grafton Loop Trail. The Grafton Loop Path presents a terrific style of backpacking in Maine’s rugged mountains. 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. The AMC describes the camping areas along the trail here. 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. 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. The AMC maintains the following four sites on the Grafton Loop Trail in Maine: Bull Run, Slide Mtn, Sargent Brook, and Bald Mtn. The trail hikes over open rock with wooden planks traversing fragile alpine vegetation. The coalition worked with private landholders to gain right-of-way via temporary access, easement, or outright purchase. In spite of the comedy of errors on my first night of hiking, it still ended up being a marvelous trip. Backcountry on a Budget: Low-cost & Free Camping in the Northeast. https://www.strava.com/activities/3878370921 The trail can be difficult to follow at times. The summit has a viewing area that takes in much of the Mahoosuc Range and stretches toward the Presidential Range on the horizon. we hike with are dogs and wondering if there is a possible way around this for the dogs? The complete loop didn’t open till 2007 after a serious collaboration between personal land house owners, the state of Maine, and a […] The 2008 trip was one of our classic adventures, and I wrote about it a the time. Whether new to backpacking or a seasoned veteran, the Grafton Loop Trail offers something for everyone. Thanks! Cairns mark the route over open summits. 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 Grafton Loop Trail, in the Mahoosucs Range of Western Maine, is one of the newest major trails to be built in New England. The temperatures start to cool in September, with less humidity and haze. The idea morphed into the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition (GLTC). 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. The route in the northern sections of the loop … https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maine/grafton-notch-trail The trail connects to the AT at two points on either side of Grafton Notch to create a loop, ~42 miles in length. Several of the campsites offer bear boxes for food. North:  From the junction of US 2 and Maine 26 in Newry, head north on 26. The loop features excellent scenery with challenging, yet fun terrain. 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. Wildlife: The Grafton Loop Trail travels through moose country. Aside from the AT portion of the loop, the Grafton Loop remains largely undiscovered, as the trail has only been fully open since 2007. Mud and biting insects could cause problems early in the season. 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. Backcountry on a Budget: Low-cost & Free Camping in the Northeast. According to the AMC, the brook by Stewart tent site can be unreliable. Last summer I helped build a privy at one of the campsites. 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. Fortunately, there are eight campsites in addition to the lean-to, so finding an appropriate spot to camp isn’t an issue. Grafton Loop Trail - Day One - Stewart Campsite Trekking On. Accommodations: 2 wooden tent platforms, designated kitchen area, composting outhouse, Accommodations: 3 raised earth tent pads, designated kitchen area, composting outhouse, Location: 3 miles south of Old Speck Mountain, Location: 2 miles south of Old Speck Mountain, Location: off AT, just west of West Baldpate Mountain, Location: 2 miles from the summit of East Baldpate Mountain, Location: 1.6 miles, hiking south from East Baldpate Campsite, Location: 3.1 miles, hiking south from Lane Campsite, Location: 5.5 miles hiking south from Town Corner Campsite or 4.9 miles from Rt 26, Accommodations: Raised earth tent pads, outhouse. Trail Connections is a proud member of the following: Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association; Appalachian Mountain Club I appreciate your extensive review! This major trail effort was a cooperative effort among private landowners, the state of Maine, and nonprofit organizations such as the AMC. Few wet spots. In comparison with the venerable trails simply over the border in New Hampshire, the Grafton Loop is comparatively new. I helped build the Grafton Loop Trail during the summer 0f 2000. of them. Perhaps you’ve stayed in a few (or all!) They are used here with permission. However, an observation tower stands on its summit. Eyebrow Trail to Grafton Notch AT Parking 1.1 mi https://www.strava.com/activities/3879624057. A beautiful, high meadow sits between the East and West Peaks that is traversed on bog bridges. We're accepting reservations for the 2020 Camping Season 2020 - OPEN Mid-May through Columbus Day. It's a recently constructed ~40 mile loop that utilizes a few miles of the Appalachian Trail in the western part of the state. 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.) ** Regardless of the source, remember to boil, filter, or chemically purify water before use. I encountered almost no other people on the trail. Lots of cobwebs encountered. 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. My stay at Stewart Campsite was a peaceful one. This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. By October, freezing temperatures can occur at the higher elevation campsites. Grafton Loop Trail (GLT) This was my second time hiking through this park, so this was a bit of a rematch for me. Endless peaks can be seen in every direction. Old Speck Mt to Eyebrow Trail 2.4 mi The vantage point offers an interesting look toward Mahoosuc Notch, a short distance from the summit. 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. Thanks so much for your awesome trip report. 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. Backpackers of all experience levels will find the the loop a worthy destination. 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. Two trailheads allow backpackers to split the loop into two halves, while several shorter day-hike options reach the … Despite the lower elevation, the climbing is somewhat more gradual in either direction from the southern trailhead. The Grafton Loop Trail traverses sections of private land. Loved the trail. Water is available at each campsite. The area was overrun with mice at night. 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. 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 only camping is at 8 designated campsites on the trail. 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. This section includes three primitive 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. Sure, you know about AMC’s famed high-mountain hut system. Last week I headed up to Maine for a few days on the Grafton Loop Trail. 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.