© 2021 Maine Trail Finder. Access to the eastern half of the trail is from the northern end of the parking area. 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. Learn how to create your own. No fires are allowed on the trail or at the campsites. 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. Southern Trailhead: The southern trailhead is 4.7 miles north on ME Route 26 from the intersection of US Route 2 and ME Route 26 in Newry. Interested in learning more about trails in Maine? The trail then ascends Lightning Ledges for several good views. Along the gradual descent there is a campsite to the right. Anyone who is interested in visiting Kinsman Notch can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Position your mouse over the map and use your mouse-wheel to zoom in or out. I get the impression that it does not see a lot of traffic as it is very overgrown, in places it felt like we were bushwhacking because the growth was so thick. The crux of the route is the consecutive climbs and descents of East Baldpate and Old Speck. To the south, the notch drains into the Bear River, then into the Androscoggin. This trail passes through a property that was acquired in part with funds from the Land for Maine’s Future program. Maine State Route 26 passes through the notch. The Appalachian Trail, a National Scenic Trail from Georgia to Maine, crosses the notch between Old Speck and Baldpate. Portions of the trail traverse both Maine’s Grafton Notch State Park as well as a good deal of private land. Maine's Grafton Notch State Park includes the land along the bottom of the notch, and extends as far south as the summit of Old Speck Mountain on the southwest side of the notch. From here is the 2.1 mile ascent of East Peak of Baldpate, where, after 17.1 miles, the trail connects the Appalachian Trail. Click to find a great deal for this hotel. There is a campsite about 2 miles after the summit of Old Speck. Take the 0.3-mile spur to the left, at approximately 3.5 miles from the trail head, to the summit and observation tower. The map now contains brown squares outlining nearby US Topo Map quadrants. This challenging trail traverses the peaks in the Mahoosuc Region above Grafton Notch and the Bear River Valley. Grafton Notch is a notch, or mountain pass, located in Oxford County, Maine. 1472 Bear River Road / Route 26 Newry, Maine 04261 • 207-824-2292 . This potentially has the makings of a great trail, but the only views were on Sunday River Whitecap. The Grafton Notch/Mahoosuc area encompasses some of Maine’s most spectacular mountain terrain. A new password has been emailed to you. There are two campsites on short side trails in this section, about 1.3 miles apart; one has a spectacular waterfall and pool. We left our house in Gorham at 4AM, taking two cars, we left her car at the southern trailhead on ME 26 for a resupply, as this is where the Grafton Loop Trail crosses the road about 21 miles into our 38 mile hike. Please try again. Funding was provided by several private donors and foundations, as well as by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and federal Recreational Trails Program funding. The Grafton Loop Trail is a 38.6 mile, backcountry hiking experience in the Mahoosuc Mountains of Maine. USA. My grandfather was night watchman leaves on old spot for 7 seasons. On the northeast side, it includes the lowest slopes of Baldpate Mountain. Oxford, From Bethel: Follow Route 2 East to Newry Corner (Routes 2 & 26) Turn left. Get directions, maps, and traffic for Grafton, NH. In Grafton Notch State Park, part of the Maine Birding Trail, birdwatchers can observe peregrine falcons, a wide variety of songbirds, and – at higher elevations – northern forest species. 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. There is a campsite about 2 miles after the summit of Old Speck. This byway follows along the Bear River for much of the trip. Grafton Notch State Park, Bethel: Address, Phone Number, Grafton Notch State Park Reviews: 5/5 From Whitecap the trail descends to a campsite below Sargent Mountain and then to Bald Mountain. Bald Mountain tentsite has a privy and tent platforms. This byway follows along the Bear River for much of the trip. From Rumford/Farmington: Follow Route 2 West to Newry Corner (Routes 2 & 26) Turn right. Coming north on Route 26, the parking area are will be on the right, directly across from Eddy Road on the left. Lots of blowdowns along the trail. After a .5 mile descent, the East Baldpate campsite is on the right. There was an issue with your submission. The park lies amidst some of Maine's most spectacular mountains, the Mahoosuc Mountain Range, and offers rugged terrain for back-country hikers including close to 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail. From the intersection of US Route 2 and ME Route 26 in Newry, follow ME Route 26 approximately 12 miles north to where the Appalachian Trail crosses the road. If you are interested in maintaining a section, please see the Baldpate District in the current vacancy section of our Trail Maintainer Page. This map was created by a user. My father was the last night watchman in 1959 . Campground is on the left. It was similar to a Wilderness Area trail, like you might find in the Wild River. The trail across much of the summit is on a unique raised walkway that protects fragile, rare alpine plants from hiker’s boots. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. From there it is another 4 miles southbound along the A.T. to return to ME Route 26. The renowned Grafton Notch Scenic Byway bisects the Park and several pull-offs highlight interesting natural features. Grafton Notch is a notch, or mountain pass, located in Oxford County, Maine.The notch demarks the northeastern end of the Mahoosuc Range, and thus of the White Mountains. The trail then ascends Long Mountain, following the Andover-Newry town line north over rugged terrain and mostly private land. Old Speck, at 4180 feet, is the third highest mountain in Maine. The one at Bull Run is non-existant as far as we could tell. The state park occupies 3,129 acre surrounding Grafton Notch, the mountain pass between Old Speck Mountain and Baldpate Mountain. At lower elevations, visitors commonly observe large mammals, even in the vicinity of Route 26. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. Grafton Notch State Park is a state park in Maine. From here the trail begins ascending Sunday River Whitecap, passing several open views and then coming out on the open north ridge to finish the climb to the summit where there are views in all directions. 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 … Log in or create an account below to unlock all the great features of Maine trail finder: keep track of trails you want to do, preserve memories of trails you’ve done, earn badges, and more! GF and I did the Western half of this loop from 5/8/2015 to 5/10/2015. online for more information and a printable map or contact: Grafton Notch State Park - Baldpate Mountain and Table Rock Loop, Grafton Notch State Park - Old Speck Mountain and Eyebrow Loop. Grafton Notch is a magnificent mountain pass in Southwestern Maine, a short drive from Gorham, NH, the last major trail town that Appalachian Trail thru-hikers visit before leaving New Hampshire. Things to See and Do Near Grafton Notch State Park. No fires are allowed on the trail or at the campsites. Follow the white-blazed Appalachian Trail south along Cascade Brook. There was still snow on anything above 3000 feet. Maine State Route 26 passes through the notch. Title: GLT brochure map.FH11 Author: lgarland Created Date: 3/8/2010 9:19:24 AM A short side trail leads to a good view near the summit. The trail crosses many streams then ascends the north shoulder of Old Speck, rising out of the woods and offering frequent views of the Notch. Directions to Grafton Notch Campground. Success! Here the Grafton Loop trail branches off and heads south. About 1.5 miles from Long Mountain there is reliable water as the trail descends one fork of Wight Brook and the ascends another. The trail is a rugged, remote backcountry trail, and much of it is on private land. Alert riders are bound to see moose along the roadside. Because of its length and the terrain it traverses, the trail is strenuous and requires appropriate equipment and preparation. East of ME Route 26 (21.1 miles, strenuous): The eastern half of the trail, coming from the south, leaves ME Route 26 at the southern trailhead and continues to the open summit of Puzzle Mountain after passing several ledges with fine views of the Bear River Valley, the Mahoosuc Range and the Presidential Range beyond. Kinsman Notch is displayed on the Mount Moosilauke USGS quad topo map. Old Speck, at 4180 feet, is the third highest mountain in Maine. The eastern side of Route 26 is the longer (21.1 miles) and more difficult section of the Grafton Loop Trail. 26 (Bear River Rd.) There is a short history and personal reflection about the town of Grafton Notch in Louise Dickinson Rich's "Happy the Land" on pages 65-68. I do wish the route climbed Slide Mountain, though. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. Read all 196 reviews Full view The park is abutted by the eastern and western sections of the Mahoosuc Public Reserved Land, … There were some times that the trail was a little touch and go, the section between Town Corner and Lightening Ledge Knob was particularly hard to follow, but not impossible. More information about the reserve can be found at Maine Natural Areas Program's Ecoreserve Fact Sheet for Mahoosuc Unit. After the cairn on the summit the trail follows open ledges to about .2 miles after the summit where the other end of the Woodsum Spur trail branches to the right. Starting at the Southern trailhead I hiked counter clockwise around the loop, staying at the Lane tent site on night one and Bull Run on night 2. Be the first to add a review to the Grafton Notch. Many family history in Grafton first class. In fact, the scenery on this ride rivals any you can find in New England. I have hiked every trail at Grafton notch state Park and I will have to admit that my favorite trail is the eyebrow loop trail with a great view right through the park. I would suggest keeping a GPS handy, because there were several times when I could not see any markers and had to reference my GPS to figure out where the trail was. Grafton, NH Directions {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics. Read all 196 reviews Full view Here the Grafton Loop trail branches off and heads south. For more information about the LMF program and the places it has helped to protect, please visit the LMF webpage. Check out the newest articles in MTF Stories! While you're in town visiting Grafton Notch State Park, you can discover the sights within a few miles of the area. Maine Several interesting attractions are conveniently located on scenic Route 26. There’s parking at each road junction (directions at the bottom), one at the AT parking lot in Grafton Notch State Park, the other near Eddy Road in Newry. To access the western section of the trail, walk south along ME Route 26 for 0.5 miles; the trail leaves from the western side of the road. Visit the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Appalachian Mountain Club, and Maine Appalachian Trail Club online for more information and a printable map or contact: Northern Trailhead: This trailhead also serves as the main trailhead for Grafton Notch State Park. I hiked the western half of the loop and found the trail to be difficult to follow at times. Coming north on ME Route 26, the trailhead and parking area will be on the left with signs indicating the state park. The trail then heads down Puzzle, passing the Stewart Campsite on a short spur to the left, to the valley between Puzzle and Long Mountain, where it crosses the headwaters of Chase Hill Brook (reliable water). North of the height of land, the notch drains into the Swift Cambridge River, then into the Dead Cambridge River and Umbagog Lake, the source of the Androscoggin River, which drains into Merrymeeting Bay, the estuary of the Kennebec River, and thence into the Gulf of Maine. Plenty of scat Sunday River Whitecap apart ; one has a privy and tent platforms short. In town visiting Grafton Notch State Park several interesting grafton notch map are conveniently located on Scenic 26. 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