Puzzle Mountain, Long Mountain - Grafton Loop Trail - 9-15-2013

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Puzzle Mountain, Long Mountain, ME

	Trails:	Grafton Loop Trail

	Date of Hike:	Sunday, September 15, 2013

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	Plenty of room in the lot.

	Surface Conditions:	Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:	Most water crossings were across brooklets. The only significant water crossing was Chase Hill Brook where the trail meets at the confluence of two streams. The preferred crossing is on rocks over each of the feeder streams rather than across the main stream. This crossing could be tricky during high water.

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	Trail was in good condition well marked with blue blazes or cairns on the open ledges. There were also yellow/red/orange blazes on the trees which are probably demarcations for property boundaries. Good signage on trail. Most tree falls were on or near the ground however on Long Mtn there was one tree in the trail requiring a walk around and another that forced a duck under.

	Dog-Related Notes:	Should be okay for dogs as there was sufficient water and no excessively steep grades.

	Bugs:	None

	Lost and Found:


	Comments:	I saw no other hikers today. The pathway appeared to receive use as it was evident the whole distance. The hike to Puzzle Mountain southwest peak rewards the hiker with great views of Grafton Notch and southward to Mt Washington. To the north the Maine four thousand footers can be seen. The hike beyond Puzzle Mountain is mainly a nice walk through the Maine woods. On Long Mtn there is a cleared out area which allows some views and near the summit is a short steep spur trail to a nice outlook with a log bench (scenic view sign on GLT). Some of the ledges on Puzzle Mountain were wet and slippery in spots. The description of the trails in the vicinity of Puzzle Mtn in the Maine Mountain Guide seems incorrect. The Maine Mountain Trail Map that comes with the Guide seems more representative of what I saw around Puzzle Mtn summit area.

	Name:	WAUMBEK

	E-Mail:	WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com

	Date Submitted:	2013-09-15

	Link:	https://
		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.