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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Puzzle Mountain (attempt), ME
Trails
Trails: Grafton Notch Loop Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, March 17, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plowed with space for at least a dozen cars 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: A few crossings in the first mile of the hike were unfrozen but easily jumpable 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: There is a major blowdown as you approach the first overlook.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: n/a 
Bugs
Bugs: n/a 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: n/a 
 
Comments
Comments: After the big snowfall in the middle of the past week, there were a few people on the trail before 2 of us on Saturday morning the 17th. One person with snowshoes had hiked about a half mile and then turned back. Another person continued with spikes and postholed for another 1/2 mile or so. We broke this second 1/2 mile section of the trail and the whole first mile is now fine for boots or light traction. Somewhere around a mile in on the Grafton Notch Loop trail, a single track groomer connected with the trail (presumably from the nearby snowmobiling trail) and followed the blue blazes up. This made things nice and easy, though you'll still want some traction for the steeper parts.

We didn't make it to the summit, but not due to conditions. We stopped just before the Woodsum loop trail connects to Grafton Notch.

At the first overlook, heavy drifting obscures the path and makes it look like the groomer has stopped, but it hasn't. It picks back up before long.

I cannot say with certainty where the groomer goes beyond that first overlook. It could follow the Grafton Notch Loop Trail, do the Woodsum spur, or both.



 
Name
Name: Drew Taylor 
E-Mail
E-Mail: dttaylor105@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-03-18 
Link
Link: https:// 
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