The Grafton loop doesn’t let you open up until you get out of the woods onto some ATV trails, when the markings then get a bit sketchy. The Grafton Notch Loop is 39 mile trail that was completed in 2007. • 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 was captivated by the views of the notch from Old Speck and Baldpate Mountains and intrigued by the ruggedness of the terrain. Oct 13, 2015 - The western section of the Grafton Loop Trail, featuring the outstanding views of Sunday River Whitecap, covers 17.1 miles of the full 38.2-mile trail. The approach up to the summit was bare of trees and crowded with blueberries. Grafton Loop Trail 5/20-22. Eyebrow loop trail - Grafton Notch State Park. Grafton Notch State Park. DIFFICULT 25.2 mi. It connects an eight mile section of the Appalachian Trail with thirty miles of new trail, forming a loop hike in Grafton Notch that crosses Maine Rt 26 close to its half-way point. Aug 12, 2018 - Summit nine peaks and graze on trailside blueberries on this 39-mile, 3- to 4-day backpacking loop through Maine. Androscoggin River Reservoir via Mahoosuc Trail and Appalachian Trail . Fairly steep road. Download. 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. Thanks for watching! The Grafton Loop Trail, in the Mahoosucs Range of Western Maine, is one of the newest major trails to be built in New England. DIFFICULT 34.8 mi. Grafton Notch State Park: Eyebrow loop trail - See 197 traveler reviews, 152 candid photos, and great deals for Bethel, ME, at Tripadvisor. Disclaimer. The trail connects to the AT at two points on either side of Grafton Notch to create a loop, ~42 miles in length. Grafton Loop Hiking trail in Ketchum, Maine (United States). 4. ferrisjrf. Thanks for watching! The drive back to Bethel on Friday didn’t look any better than any of the last several days of rain and fog, but I was still holding out some hope that the weekend would get better. From working at Camp Roosevelt for the last two months, to my latest hiking adventure on the Grafton Loop Trail, I am exhausted. 50 8 0. Nature & Parks, State Parks. 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. Hiking (The best Hiking trails in United States → Maine → Ketchum) Grafton Loop 4. In spite of the comedy of errors on my first night of hiking, it still ended up being a marvelous trip. Visit Website. It’s a 38.6 mile loop going over Bald Mountain, Stowe Mountain, Sunday River Whitecap and Old Speck on the western side of the loop and going over West Baldpate, East Baldpate, Long and Puzzle mountains on the east side. 7. DIFFICULT 4.3 mi. The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile loop through Grafton Notch with commanding views of the Mahoosuc Range. United States ; Maine (ME) Bethel ; Bethel - Things to Do ; Grafton Notch State Park; Search. Author. Thanks for watching! Grafton Notch State Park: Eyebrow loop trail - See 197 traveler reviews, 152 candid photos, and great deals for Bethel, ME, at Tripadvisor. The Hike The 42-mile circuit is New England's newest and least … The trail can be difficult to follow at times. 4.0 (1) ... in Grafton Notch State Park #12813 Overall. Mixed surface road that provides loop access from the bottom of Grafton Mesa trail to the top. Log in. 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. Visit Website. Posted by Guthook on May 23, 2011. For this reason, designated campsites are mandatory for most of the loop’s route, along with a restriction on campfires. Trail is seriously overgrown and not maintained. The Grafton Loop Trail passes through roughly 10 miles of private land that has yet to be protected, but wilderness designation could neutralize the looming threat. The previous year, while hiking the Appalachian Trail, from North Adams, Massachusetts to Mount Katahdin in Maine, I remember seeing the trail signs and blazes for the Grafton Notch Loop Trail. Puzzle Mountain Loop via Grafton Loop Trail. Puzzle Mountain Loop via Grafton Loop Trail. 3. Record your own itinerary from the Wikiloc app, upload the trail and share it with the community. The complete loop didn’t open till 2007 after a serious collaboration between personal land house owners, the state of Maine, and a […] The summit of the mountain can be accessed from the southern trail head of the Grafton Loop Trail. 1941 Bear River Rd, Bethel, ME 04261-3640. Upload trails. Puzzle Mountain Loop via Grafton Loop Trail. Androscoggin River Reservoir via Appalachian Trail and Mahoosuc Trail. The Grafton Loop Path presents a terrific style of backpacking in Maine’s rugged mountains. Find the perfect Grafton Loop Trail stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. DIFFICULT 7.5 mi. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating with a 12 ft green climb. ADVERTISEMENT. Private property. There was certainly a decent chance of getting off course here, and I was relieved to reach the road, and then I was confused. 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. 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. In comparison with the venerable trails simply over the border in New Hampshire, the Grafton Loop is comparatively new. I met Angela for a late lunch, and then we took our sweet time getting ready to head out on the trail. At about two miles, the trail makes a sharp turn to the left, and begins to climb at a steeper grade. Churchill Loop is a 1,020 ft less popular green singletrack trail located near Grafton Massachusetts. Best to avoid. The lot is plowed, flat, and icy but 2 wheel drive did fine. Posted in: Maine. Download its GPS track and follow the route on a map. Save. Grofton Loop Trail Difficult. Thanks to the AMC and the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition, 30 miles of new trails were built since 2002. The peak can only be approached via the Grafton Loop Trail, with a long journey from either end to reach it. The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile, backcountry hiking experience in the Mahoosuc Mountains of Maine. The trail itself was a 40 mile very rough hike through the Mahoosucs of western Maine. 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. Grafton Loop Trip Experience. Select from premium Grafton Loop Trail of the highest quality. or . Still, I'm not going to complain about such handy climbing aids. DIFFICULT 26.6 mi. 4. 5. I vowed to return to hike the GNL trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips. The trail follows 11th Ave, just one block west of the popular shopping district on 12th Avenue/Wisconsin Avenue. Is this your business? Higher Grafton Lake Loop is a 1.9 mile loop trail located near Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Able to hold 20 cars. ADVERTISEMENT. Portions of the trail traverse both Maine’s Grafton Notch State Park as well as a good deal of private land. These open spaces are variously owned and managed by the Town of Grafton, The Grafton Land Trust and various private land owners. 197 Reviews #1 of 13 things to do in Bethel. MODERATE 7.5 mi. Trails: Grafton Loop Trail: Date of Hike: Monday, February 3, 2020: Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked in designated lot for Mahoosuc Public Lands off ME 26 in Grafton Notch (signed, kiosk). The initial miles of the trail have a relatively low incline and utilize old logging roads for switchbacks. 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 Town of Grafton has an extensive network of protected open spaces hosting a wide and varied network of multi-use trails for non-motorized use, including hiking, trail running and biking, and in winter, snow shoe and cross country skiing. Grafton Loop Trail posted Aug 19, 2011, 11:21 AM by Trekking On I just got back home to Massachusetts from an entire summer in Maine. Visit Website. More information Grafton Loop, Maine. Moreover, I didn't see a living soul the entire time I was on the West section of the trail. To avoid the Memorial Day crowds we decided to head up to Maine and hike the Grafton Loop Trail. Access Info Restricted Access. ADVERTISEMENT. Puzzle Mountain via Grafton Loop Trail. 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). Sign up Sign up . Grafton’s off-trail loop takes you in the vicinity of a nice collection of stores, restaurants, bars and coffee houses, including Atlas BBQ, Lobo’s Place, Martini Pete’s and Sahale Ale Works. 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. I was the only one this morning. 6. 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. A long journey from either end to reach it, upload the connects. 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