Grafton Loop Trail

[blackbird04217]

I grew up in Bethel, Maine and it was a class trip to Table Rock that inspired my eventual thru-hike in 2009. I've been looking for information on the Grafton Loop Trail, which I am seriously considering doing from now to before Thanksgiving. I am mostly looking for some more information on the campsites and other details to see how long it would take me, and what I would be expecting. Obviously it would be a bit chilly during the nights, but I am pretty sure I would be fine, if not uncomfortable.

http://www.matc.org/Documents/Grafton Loop Trail Brochure.pdf
http://www.matc.org/Documents/Grafton Loop Trail Description.pdf (http://www.matc.org/Documents/Grafton%20Loop%20Trail%20Description.pdf)
http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/trails/work/grafton/western-half-trail-description.cfm (http://%3cstrong%3e%3c/strong%3Ehttp://www.outdoors.org/conservation/trails/work/grafton/western-half-trail-description.cfm)

Are the sources I've stumbled upon, however I don't have a good sense of the mileage markers on the Western?? portion; from Old Speck Mtn summit back down to 26 specifically, as it seems from the GLT parking to Old Speck is 13.3 miles. I am wondering mostly hoe many days this would take, and obviously have a bailout point where the AT/GLT cross 26 together.

I am considering starting at the GLT parking area [aka Eddy Road Lot as I've seen it called].
Night 1 at Slide Campsite (10.5mi)
Night 2 at East Baldpate Campsite (~10-15 miles??)
Night 3 at Stewart Campsite (9.9mi)
And then 5 miles back to my car.

Day 2 would be the big question mark for me. I know this terrain is a little more rough going, and 15 miles would probably be too big of a day, but I am sure I can manage 10's.

Solid plan, or am I just nuts?

[Slo-go'en]

Your just nuts - to try and do it this time of year. This is a really rugged hike, even without the snow, ice and limited amount of daylight you have right now. The 15 mile day up and over Old Speck will be a real butt kicker. Figure 1 to 1.5 mph for much of this hike, which means you'll be doing a lot of it after dark, which slows you down even more.

[hikerboy57]

i did the eastern half in august,except for the climb up to baldpate, the rest of the trail is fairly easy(at least easier than the western half) , and you should be able to do it with just 2 nights out, the climb up and over old speck i did the year before,hiking the mahoosucs, and as slogoen says its a killer, you'd be better off finishing the loop south to north. if the weather holds up should take you 3 days.

[blackbird04217]

Well, it seems the trip is off due to the simple fact I waited too long to research and I would have needed to be ready to hit the trail early this morning- which I was not. Maybe, just to get out there I will go along with my plans for the first part and just stop at the trail crossing 26 in Grafton Notch.

Well, I will at least go for a walk, even if just to visit table rock...

[DLANOIE]

Don't sweat it Blackbird, the trail will be there when you're ready for it again. Screw Auger Falls, Mother Walker and Moose Caves are other interesting places worth checking out too and you're only a stones throw from the park anyway. Sorry your plans did'nt work out this time!