Puzzle Mountain - Grafton Loop Trail, Woodsum Spur - 5-25-2020

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Puzzle Mountain, ME

	Trails:	Grafton Loop Trail, Woodsum Spur

	Date of Hike:	Monday, May 25, 2020

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	Arrived late in the morning and was lucky to find an open slot. When I left at 5:00PM there were only two other vehicles.

	Surface Conditions:	Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Small Patches

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:	Small brooks easy to cross/step over

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	Trails marked well with blazes or cairns. There were three small wood signs that were unreadable. Some large tree falls with most having a reroute around and one was a duck under. Cut out some small tree falls especially on the Woodsum Spur Trail.

	Dog-Related Notes:	Should be fine for most dogs.

	Bugs:	Some black flies at lower elevations. Not too bad. Higher up the breeze held them in check so one could linger and enjoy the views.

	Lost and Found:


	Comments:	Only a few minor patches of snow on the trail. No need for snow footwear. Ledges were dry today. The ledges may be a challenge when wet or icy. There were a couple of pools of standing water in the upper part of the Woodsum Spur Trail. This was my first time on the Woodsum Spur Trail. I don't know why the AMC Maine guide does not recommend taking this trail uphill. The large cairn marks the top of the south west summit with good views. The top of Puzzle Mountain appears to be uphill from the Grafton Loop Trail upper junction with the Woodsum Spur Trail. I ventured slightly beyond the junction on the Grafton Loop Trail and saw no trail leading to the summit (it seemed the summit was wooded so no views). Many good views from various ledges on both trails. Lots of hikers out today. Mostly Red Trillium in the hardwood forest.

	Name:	WAUMBEK

	E-Mail:	WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com

	Date Submitted:	2020-05-25

	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.