Land: Grafton Notch State Park: Topo Map: Old Speck Mountain O44070e8 1:24,000: Route #1 : Maintained Hiking Trail Trailhead: Grafton Notch (Paved Road) 1496 ft/456 m Vertical Gain: 2664 ft/812 m Distance (one way): 4.05 mi/6.52 km: Data Source: 1:25,000 (or larger) Topographic Survey Map; Dynamic Map Water is available at each campsite. If you are interested in maintaining a section, please see the Baldpate District in the current vacancy section of our Trail Maintainer Page. At lower elevations, visitors commonly observe large mammals, even in the vicinity of Route 26. It has become an increasingly popular destination for hikers and backpackers wishing to hike a loop. 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. Thereâs 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. #3 - Eyebrow Trail and Appalachian Trail Loop, #4 - Baldpate Mountain via Appalachian Trail, #5 - Baldpate from the East (Andover) Side via Cataracts Trail and Frye Brook Trail. Waterfalls, gorges and breathtaking beauty. Explore the Grafton Loop Trail, Appalachian Trail, Grafton Notch State Park and Step Fallsâ¦all just minutes away! Trail directions from the GLT trailhead: In Grafton Notch State Park, part of the Maine Birding Trail, birdwatchers can observe peregrine falcons, a wide variety of songbirds, and â at higher elevations â northern forest species. The Woodsum Spur traverses the open ledges around the summit of Puzzle before returning to the GLT. This byway follows along the Bear River for much of the trip. You may also meet AT thru hikers. It is part of the Mahoosuc Range. 1.1 mi 1.8 km #1 Eyebrow Trail. We dropped a car at the Rattle River trailhead off Rt 2 in Gorham, NH and drove north to Grafton Notch State Park in Maine to start our hike southward. When you enter the park, there is a series of stops along the way. The state park occupies 3,129 acres (1,266 ha) surrounding Grafton Notch, the mountain pass between Old Speck Mountain and Baldpate Mountain. 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. Unique trail structures were designed and built on Sunday River Whitecap to protect fragile plants unique to the area. The trail leaves from the end of this parking area at the sign. Only a very steep .4 more miles over ledge to the summit of Little Bald Pate with impressive west views over Andover, Ellis Pond, and Mt Blue on a clear day. Obviously, the AT is more heavily used and here the trail is easier to follow. 26 by walking south on Route 26 for .5 miles to the trail sign on the road. Grafton Notch State Park, Bethel: Address, Phone Number, Grafton Notch State Park Reviews: 5/5 Turn right onto the orange-blazed Table Rock Trail and follow it up to Table Rock. 26. The Appalachian Mountain Club maintains the trail west of Route 26, also including four designated campsites. This place is beautiful. 1472 Bear River Road / Route 26 Newry, Maine 04261 ⢠207-824-2292 . Western Section, to AT parking lot in Grafton Notch The junction with the white blazed AT is reached at 2.9 miles. Take Route 2/26 north out of Bethel, Maine and turn left on Route 26 when it splits towards Grafton Notch State Park. 26 (Bear River Rd.) Grafton Notch State Park: Table Rock and Baldpate Mountain, The Eyebrow and Old Speck, Grafton Loop Trail. Directions to Grafton Notch Campground. After the hike we headed to Step Falls for a frigid but fun swim â¥ï¸ Screw Auger Falls were really nice, as the setting was really different than most other falls I have seen so far. Trailhead Information. This is a tough little trail! Franconia Notch State Park is located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. It is often used by camp and school groups. Directions to Grafton Loop Trail trailhead: The AMC map is more up to date, but the MATC version has trail distances. Difficult. Grafton Notch State Park has several amazing waterfall areas, all quite close to the road and easily accessible. Just east of the New Hampshire border, this is Maine's 4th highest mountain and 5th highest peak. In 2011, a new 1.8-mile side trail off the GLT was opened. 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. Before crossing the bridge there is parking in the field on the right. The section of trail over Puzzle Mountain is mostly on land owned by the Mahoosuc Land Trust and permanently protected from development. 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 State Park and Mahoosuc Public Lands West Side of Route 26 ⢠Old Speck Trail (7.6 miles, 7 hours, challenging) affords spectacular views from an open observation tower at the summit. 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. The summit offers 360° views from its summit tower. 26 from the parking area. Campground is on the left. Nestled in the woods near the Bear River in Newry, this is the perfect location to set up camp for a series of day hikes. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. 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. Features⦠15 Wooded Sites; Fire Ring & Picnic Table on each site; Bath House with Hot Showers & Flush Toilets This is an easily accessible mountain as it is only 4 miles from a main highway through Grafton Notch State Park. The take-off point is from the parking area in Grafton Notch State Park, on the east side of Rt. The only camping is at four designated campsites on the eastern section and four on the western section. Day One: Grafton Notch to Full Goose Shelter. Several interesting attractions are conveniently located on scenic Route 26. From the Grafton Loop Trailhead, the closest campsite on the eastern section is 5 miles from the road, on the other side of 3,000-foot Puzzle Mountain. At lower elevations, visitors commonly observe large mammals, even in the vicinity of Route 26. It's the highest and most northeastern peak in the Mahoosuc Range of the White Mountains. Grafton Notch State Park is also part of the Maine Birding Trail, birdwatchers can observe peregrine falcons, a wide variety of songbirds, and at higher elevations some northern forest species. 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. 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 trail is a rugged, remote backcountry trail, much of it on private land. There is a walking path from the parking lot that leads you to the falls. Funding was provided by several private donors and foundations, as well as by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and federal Recreational Trails Program funding. This part of the trail is not heavily hiked and is maintained like the AT in Maine (which it was until the early 1970s). It is 4 miles from there, south on the AT back to Route 26 and the large trailhead parking lot in Grafton Notch State Park. Baldpate from the East (Andover) Side via Cataracts Trail and Frye Brook Trail. Grafton Notch State Park has waterfalls, a cave and a couple of big mountains. Grafton Notch State Park lies near the border of New Hampshire. At lower elevations, visitors commonly observe large mammals, even in the vicinity of Route 26. Franconia Notch is a spectacular mountain pass traversed by a unique parkway which extends from the Flume Gorge at the south to Echo Lake at the north. The first stop is Screw Auger Falls. Bethel, ME Difficult. Graft Notch State Park is located on Route 26 in Newry, Maine. The park is abutted by the eastern and western sections of the Mahoosuc Public Reserved Land, which total 31,807 acres (12,872 ha). The trail leaves Route 26 and continues 17.1 miles to the summit of East Baldpate where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail. The Grafton Lakes BCA is within Grafton Lakes State Park. It is 4 miles from there, south on the AT back to Route 26 and the large trailhead parking lot in Grafton Notch State Park. But a trip to this state park does not need to include a summit experience. From here, it heads across a field to a snowmobile bridge across the Bear River. Eyebrow Trail in red (at the north end of the map); Grafton Loop Trail in blue. The famous ones are off of Route 26 â like Moose Falls and the legendary Step Falls.But Cataracts is a great option for waterfall lovers. It may be accessed from the Grafton Loop trailhead on Rt. Eastern Section to AT parking lot in Grafton Notch: Screw Auger Falls at the State Park. With Old Speck Mountain topping out at 4,170 feet and Baldpate Mountain East Peak (3,780 ft.) and West Peak (3,662 ft.), a lot of occasional hikers might be intimidated. The Grafton Notch/Mahoosuc area encompasses some of Maine’s most spectacular mountain terrain. More information about the reserve can be found at Maine Natural Areas Program’s Ecoreserve Fact Sheet for Mahoosuc Unit. Please prepare accordingly. You'll want the crampons as the trail is very steep in places and gets icy. Old Speck is immediately west and the Presidentials are visible to the southwest on a good day. Grafton Notch State Park is a public recreation area in Grafton Township, Oxford County, Maine. The summit of Old Speck Mountain is on the Southern boundary of Grafton Notch State Park. 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. 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. Northern Trailhead: This trailhead also serves as the main trailhead for Grafton Notch State Park.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. Explore the most popular wildlife trails in Grafton Notch State Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. 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. Read all 196 reviews Full view Funding was provided by several private donors and foundations, as well as by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and federal Recreational Trails Program funding. In the winter, adventurous snowshoers and cross-country skiers enjoy exploring ungroomed trails. From Bethel: Follow Route 2 East to Newry Corner (Routes 2 & 26) Turn left. It is the highest mountain in the range, and the 4th highest mountain in the state of Maine. Title: GLT brochure map.FH11 Author: lgarland Created Date: 3/8/2010 9:19:24 AM Recommended Routes in Grafton Notch State Park - 1 ... Trails in Grafton Notch State Park - 5. Copyright © 2021 Maine Appalachian Trail Club • PO Box 7564 • Portland, ME 04112 • Email: Campsite Maintainer Wanted – Baldpate District, Summer 2021 MATC Employment Opportunities. View near Grafton Notch in the fall. The southern trailhead is located just north of where Eddy Road meets Route 26 in Newry, Maine. A joint effort between the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, the Grafton Loop Trail was completed around 2007 as an approximately 40 mile backpacking loop trail on either side of Grafton Notch State Park in Maine. Take the Grafton Notch Scenic Biway for additional sights on your way there. The trail is a rugged, remote backcountry trail, and much of it is on private land. Grafton Notch State Park is located on Route 26 between Newry and Upton, Maine, and offers opportunities for sightseeing, picnicking, and hiking on its 3,000 acres of beautiful natural terrain. About 1/2 mile before entering the state park the highway crosses Wight Brook. The Grafton Notch/Mahoosuc area encompasses some of Maine’s most spectacular mountain terrain. Trail directions from the GLT trailhead: Eastern Section to AT parking lot in Grafton Notch: The trail leaves Route 26 and continues 17.1 miles to the summit of East Baldpate where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail. After following the brook with more waterfalls and nice trail conditions, a bog with stepping stones is reached at 1.9 miles and the blue blazed trail gets rougher and steeper at 2.2 miles. trailhead for the southwestern portion of the Grafton Loop Trail by walking approximately 0.75 miles south on Rt. 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 ⦠There is an old firetower on top that may or may not be accessible to climb depending on the season and time of the week. Directions to Grafton Loop Trail trailhead: The southern trailhead is located just north of where Eddy Road meets Route 26 in Newry, Maine. The Appalachian Trail goes through GNSP. One of the most remote areas of the A.T. in Maine – now newly accessible via the White Brook Trail. Stewart Campsite is a five mile hike from the trailhead. A small drop then a moderate climb brings you to the top of East Bald Pate at 3.75 miles with amazing 360 views. It is 7.3 miles north of the southern trailhead. 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. It is 7.3 miles north of the southern trailhead. But the views are lovely from the ridge, as you can look all the way down the notch. More information about the reserve can be found at Maine Natural Areas Program’s Ecoreserve Fact Sheet for Mahoosuc Unit. If you are interested in helping to maintain the GLT, please contact MATC Baldpate District Overseer Tom Gorrill at woodencanoeboy@gmail.com or (207) 657-4249; or Kim Marion, AMC North Country Volunteer Coordinator at 603-466-2721 X192. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. The eastern side of Route 26 is the longer (21.1 miles) and more difficult section of the Grafton Loop Trail. The trail then follows a series of minor peaks before traversing Sunday River Whitecap. Start on the Appalachian Trail (AT) following the white blazes just long enough to cross the street and reach the beginning of Table Rock Trail (0.1 mile). 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