Has anyone done the Grafton Notch Loop?

[Sasquatch]

July 2-8 I have slated for a backpacking trip.I would like to do the AT;RT26 south as far as possible(Crawford?) but the more I read about the Grafton Notch Loop the more I'm intrigued and thinking of doing that combined with the Mahoosuc trail; Is this a trail with lots of views? How does it compare with trails on the 4000 footers? I seldom have so much free time for hiking and am looking forward to days with big views and a variety of terrain so I'd like to hear what people's impressions of this trail are.

 

[vegematic]

Here's what I posted over on RoT:

I hiked the western half of the loop as a one-nighter last October. Here is a link to some of my pictures.

We did it southbound. There are views from the tower on Old Speck, of course (but not on the day we were there) and the views from climb up and top of Ssunday River Whitecap are spectacular.

I thought the trail was very well laid out and built. There are some hard core bog bridges on SRW! The terrain is varied as is the forest that you'll hike through. This really is a backpacker's trail and it seems to be lightly used. A dayhiker wishing to visit SRW would have a rugged 12-mile round trip. A word of caution on the western half: The trail near the southern trailhead can be a bit hard to follow. It runs along tote roads and snow machine routes. Watch signs carefully.

I have not hiked the complete eastern half but I have climbed Puzzle Mtn via the GLT. It's nice and there are views from ledges and the summit. This peak is an easy dayhike and sees more visitors. I found the trail up Puzzle to be fine but less interesting than the western half of the loop. I have also hiked the Baldpates from Grafton Notch and the views are excellent from the summit of the east peak which is where, I believe, the GLT junction is.

As far as comparing to 4k hiking: You won't get extended above-treeline hiking along the GLT but several peaks have outstanding views and the opportunity for solitude is much greater on the GLT than on your typical NH 4k.

Here's a link to the rather lengthy TR I posted about my GLT west hike.

-vegematic

 

[Waumbek]

The Mahoosucs plus the GLT will give the best of both worlds. The Mahoosucs, like the Whites, tend to get overrun in July, but it is a spectacular hike with interesting terrain (Mahoosuc Notch) and some big views, e.g., Old Speck. Despite lower elevations, the Mahoosucs is still a challenging route, rougher in spots than the AT section you're considering. The GLT was built to counterbalance the overrun Mahoosucs and provide solitude. Get there while it lasts. Shelters were not put in to discourage the camp groups that fill up the Mahoosucs in July and August. It's hard to dayhike it beyond certain points, e.g., Puzzle Mtn. There are some good views, however, on the GLT, including Puzzle and the Baldpates. For a July backpack, I would definitely chose this over 26 > Crawford Notch.

 

[Sasquatch]

Nice report Vegematic! Really makes it sound good. Waumbek makes some excellent points as well. Leaning heavily towards the GLT/Mahoosuc route. thank you both for the input.

 

[albee]

The east side of the loop parallels some heavy logging activity for most of the way up Long Mtn. Good for moose, but you don't really get the feeling that you're out in the wilderness.

Sunday River Whitecap can be done as an easy 6 mile round trip if you know where the secret "trailhead" with the initials Q.H.R. is. GREAT views!

 

[Darl58]

I hiked the Western Loop 10/6/07 long weekend. We just wanted to spend the weekend hiking and taking our time. The trail was very newly opened and was in great shape, still soft under foot.

We tented at Speck pond the first night then tented at Sargent Brook tent site the second night. They had bear boxes at the new Western Loop campsites.

It had nice views, not as steep as hiking in the White's but nice trails and scenery.

I'll attach my pics link.

http://picasaweb.google.com/hikerdd13/GraftonTrailWesternLoop

 

[Sasquatch]

Great pics, very scenic. Thanks.

 

[Darl58]

Just an add-on:

Very reliable running brook just before Slide Mountain Campsite on trail (we filtered). The water supply at Sargent Brook was very minimal and muddy when we were there. I'm sure it was the time of year, maybe???

We back tracked 50 ft down the trail from Slide Mtn to fill up and were glad we did before continuing to Sargent Campsite.

On trail out after Sargent Brook Campsite there was plenty of running water.

 

[slowmo68]

Ok albee
Sunday River Whitecap can be done as an easy 6 mile round trip if you know where the secret "trailhead" with the initials Q.H.R. is. GREAT views!


Could you help me to find this secret trail head to do Sunday River whitecap. I have a view of this mountain from my camp and have been itching to get out on the western loop but haven't had the time. If I could do a 6 mile round trip to the summit of White cap that would be great. Is the trail somewhere near screw auger falls and is it more of a bushwack?

Thanks