View Full Version : Grafton Loop, ME
BostonAndy
06-15-2009, 22:14
Any one hike this? Want to do this hike in the next few weeks. Where is parking available?
buckwheat
06-16-2009, 10:26
(I have not hiked this, but I have researched it).
Parking is available in two places:
1) Near Eddy Road in Newry, Maine (for a counterclockwise loop)
2) AT trailhead parking inside Grafton Notch State Park (for a clockwise loop)
The Maine Applachian Trail Club has an excellent resource with links to useful information.
http://www.matc.org/glt1.htm
Here's a nice map:
http://www.matc.org/gltbrchr.doc
Have a good hike!
Otay,
Buckwheat
Did this last year - here is my trip report:
http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23606
I did this trail in late summer of '07 with fabulous weather.
Here is a link to an article I wrote about it.
http://www.sixstates.net/0108graftonloop.htm
DavidNH
Slo-go'en
06-16-2009, 11:49
I did the east side of the loop a few years ago with a friend of mine. Every year we pick the "the 3 best days of fall" and go someplace.
There is a parking lot at the south end of the loop on RT 26, about 10 miles south of the notch, and also at the notch.
If doing the whole loop, I'd probably park at the southen parking lot, and do the west side of the loop first. Figure 5 days to do the whole thing. There are several good stiff climbs involved. And you will need a tent.
So who drives the dark blue sedan that has a hood paint job that has seen better days?
Nice trip reports. Emphasis on the wet, and the mud.
Other than this PDF file (http://www.outdoors.org/pdf/upload/map-grafton-loop-trail.pdf) of the trail, is there any maps that have this trail? I'm looking for a trail map like you would find for the Whites. Something that shows all the trails in the area, not just the Grafton Loop trail itself.
WalkinHome
10-27-2010, 12:32
Other than this PDF file (http://www.outdoors.org/pdf/upload/map-grafton-loop-trail.pdf) of the trail, is there any maps that have this trail? I'm looking for a trail map like you would find for the Whites. Something that shows all the trails in the area, not just the Grafton Loop trail itself.
To the best of my knowledge, the only map that "might" come close to what you are looking for is Map 7 sold on MATC.org. The first appearance of the "entire" GLT was on the 2009 edition. There may be others but I am not aware of them.
.. the name, Sunday River Whitecap. OK, so I know that the mountain is owned by Sunday River, and I know that there is a Whitecap in the resort, but that mountain is different from this mountain. So, did the mega-corporation that owns “Sunday River Whitecap” agree to allow the trail to go over the summit in exchange for the mountain to be called Sunday River Whitecap? Did they manage to get some free advertising out of the deal? And if they did, I’m not sure how I feel about it. I mean, on one hand its shameless naming of a mountain where mega-corps should stay away. On the other hand, they are allowing hikers access to this truly spectacular mountain. (from Chomps account of his walk on the loop)
There's no conspiracy here. The name "Sunday River" long predates the mega corporation. Maine has multiple Whitecap Mountains. "Sunday River Whitecap" is simply the name of the Whitecap that is near Sunday River, thus distinguishing it from "Rumford Whitecap," and from the highest Whitecap in the so called 100-mile-Wilderness, and from numerous smaller peaks with white summit rocks.
Weary
Does anyone know what the fees are associated with the GLT?
Parking fees at Southern trail head?
Campsite fees at the many campsites?
Does anyone know what the fees are associated with the GLT?
Parking fees at Southern trail head?
Campsite fees at the many campsites?
There are no campsite fees this time of year in that area, and only one fee (Speck Pond) during the busy season. I've never heard of any parking fees in that area either.
Weary
peakbagger
11-04-2010, 23:20
No fees except at Speck Pond during hiking season. I havent been to the trailhead on RT 26 in a few years, but there used to be a voluntary donation box.
Do note that a few years back the area was frequented by car thieves, they busted one individual and there havent been any recent publicity on break ins.
myles to go
11-05-2010, 10:45
Does anyone know what the fees are associated with the GLT?
Parking fees at Southern trail head?
Campsite fees at the many campsites?
$3 a day per person to park your car inside the Park and no fee if you park at the trail head out side the park but cars are not as safe there. There are no fees or reservations needed for camping on Grafton loop trail.