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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Bald Mountain, Stowe Mountain, Sunday River Whitecap, Old Speck Mountain, Baldpate Mountain - West Peak, Baldpate Mountain - East Peak, Long Mountain, Puzzle Mountain, ME
Trails
Trails: Grafton Loop Trail, Old Speck Trail, Appalachian Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, July 28, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: No parking at the western side of the southern intersection with Route 26 but you can park at the eastern side and do a short road walk to get there. Plenty of parking there as well as at the northern intersection with Route 26 although that can be crowded by hikers doing Old Speck and the Baldpates and you might have to park on the roadside if you arrive later in the day. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Some small crossings just west of the southern intersection with Route 26, none major. Some larger crossings around Lane and Knoll campsites on the eastern side of the northern intersection with Route 26. These could be bad after heavy rainfall. No other crossings. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The only major issue was the section of private land between Town Corner Campsite and Long Mountain where the trail climbs steeply up to the peak. This area is highly eroded. Otherwise the trail has no other major drainage issues but is slightly overgrown everywhere except on the AT. The footbed is very clear and easy to follow but it is a car wash. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Good hike for dogs, plenty of water throughout. 
Bugs
Bugs: No major issues. Some bugs at Stewart Campsite but very manageable. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Many people told me there was water available at every campsite on the Grafton Loop Trail, but I can say this is not true for Stewart Campsite near Puzzle Mountain. There is only a small seasonal trickle available here, but all other campsites seemed to have reliable water. These campsites on the western section: Bald Mountain Campsite, Sargents Brook Campsite, and Bull Run Campsite, all definitely also have bear-proof food boxes. The eastern side campsites do not have this. All sites also seemed to have privies.

Sunday River Whitecap, Long Mountain, and Puzzle Mountain all had unexpectedly amazing views and are well off the beaten path. This is a great long backpack and can be broken into 2 shorter sections, east and west. In places it is overgrown but still is easy to follow. An excellent hike!  
Name
Name: BBQeel 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-08-19 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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