We decided to visit the Grafton Notch area which we hadn't been to in a while. Went up the Eyebrow trail to Old Speck and proceeded down the western half of the Grafton Loop trail to Sunday River Whitecap and then back to our spotted car, visiting the four backcountry sites along the way.
Hadn't been up Old Speck in many years and we had forgotten how great the views are from up there. But an even more spectacular mountain is Sunday River Whitecap with its 360 degree views and incredible alpine summit. If you haven't visited SRW before, you should put it on your must hike list! Some pictures:
Rails, rungs and ladders on the Eyebrow.
Our later in the day destination in the distance- Sunday River Whitecap.
The steepest 35' elevation gain today- climbing the ladder to the top of the Old Speck viewing platform.
Mahoosuc Notch trail goes through that rift in the rocks.
Sunday River Whitecap
The western piece of the Grafton Loop trail is a relatively new trail, having been completed and opened in 2007. Major work has been done with many ladders and bog bridges to protect the environment.
Lots of scree walls to keep hikers on the straight and narrow.
A view back to Table Mountain and the Baldpates.
Elevated bog bridges approaching the summit of Sunday River Whitecap.
Scree walls and bog bridges leading to an enclosed view point to the west.
The summit of Sunday River Whitecap with Old Speck looming above.
More ladders descending a steep pitch.
The full Grafton Loop trail (38 miles) is a very popular hike for backpackers. There are four backcountry sites on the western side of the trail, of which two are brand new tent platforms, all with easily available water. This was a fun day with Sunday River Whitecap being the highlight due to it unique terrain and scenery. A must visit!
Hadn't been up Old Speck in many years and we had forgotten how great the views are from up there. But an even more spectacular mountain is Sunday River Whitecap with its 360 degree views and incredible alpine summit. If you haven't visited SRW before, you should put it on your must hike list! Some pictures:
Rails, rungs and ladders on the Eyebrow.
Our later in the day destination in the distance- Sunday River Whitecap.
The steepest 35' elevation gain today- climbing the ladder to the top of the Old Speck viewing platform.
Mahoosuc Notch trail goes through that rift in the rocks.
Sunday River Whitecap
The western piece of the Grafton Loop trail is a relatively new trail, having been completed and opened in 2007. Major work has been done with many ladders and bog bridges to protect the environment.
Lots of scree walls to keep hikers on the straight and narrow.
A view back to Table Mountain and the Baldpates.
Elevated bog bridges approaching the summit of Sunday River Whitecap.
Scree walls and bog bridges leading to an enclosed view point to the west.
The summit of Sunday River Whitecap with Old Speck looming above.
More ladders descending a steep pitch.
The full Grafton Loop trail (38 miles) is a very popular hike for backpackers. There are four backcountry sites on the western side of the trail, of which two are brand new tent platforms, all with easily available water. This was a fun day with Sunday River Whitecap being the highlight due to it unique terrain and scenery. A must visit!
