Bald Mountain, Stowe Mountain, Sunday River Whitecap - Grafton Loop Trail - 8-26-2011

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Bald Mountain, Stowe Mountain, Sunday River Whitecap, ME

	Trails:	Grafton Loop Trail

	Date of Hike:	Friday, August 26, 2011

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	No parking is allowed where trail actually leaves Route 26. Parking is at Grafton Loop Parking lot further up the road which has room for 10+ cars - you'll then need to walk 0.6 miles back down Route 26 to the trail head for west section of the loop. 8 cars today but most people were apparently heading up to Puzle mountain.

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

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:	A number of water crossings as you cross back and forth across the samll brook heading up Bald and one small stream crossing between Stowe and Sunday River Whitecap - all easily done.

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	3 blowdowns - one between Stowe Mountain and Sargent Brook Campsite - 6-8 inches in diameter; 2 between Sargent Brook Campsite and Sunday River Whitecap 4-5 inches and 6-8 inches; all 3 are easy stepovers.

	Dog-Related Notes:	A great albeit long hike for the canines. Moderate grades except for the stretch heading up Stowe which has some steep parts. Water along much of the trail - trail is along brook on stretch below Bald, a small stream after Stowe summit, small stream just pass junction with Sargen Brook campsite and a number of small trickles as well. Water also available at Sargent Brook campsite - longest stretch without water is about 2 miles - between Bald and stream on far side of Stowe.

	Bugs:	A few out today were buzing around me - ran across hordes of grasshoppers on top of Sunday River Whitecap.

	Lost and Found:


	Comments:	After this hike I'd have to say that Sunday River Whitecap now joins the list of my favorite summits. The 360 degree views are just awe inspiring - sat on the summit for over an hour just taking in the views. It helped that the weather was absolutely perfect! Didn't see a person all day. All in all a hike I would enthusiastically recommend! While a relatively new trail it is well signed down low and well blazed along the entire length and very easy to follow. For the most part the footing was still soft underneath which my feet really appreciated. Trail has mostly easy/moderate grades - the only exception is a short stretch up Stowe which does has some steepness to it - about 600 feet elevation gain in perhaps a half mile. A nice set of wooden step ladders gets you up the last part of the steep section. There were a few muddy spots along the way though nothing you couldn't just walk through; other than that a bit damp early on from Thursday's rains but otherwise nice and dry. NOTE: There is a new campsite that is not listed on the existing map - the bald mountain site. It's in only a couple of miles from the road so not sure how useful it is for backpacking unless you're doing the entire loop west to east.

	Name:	Brian from Maine

	E-Mail:	brobert1@maine.rr.com

	Date Submitted:	2011-08-26

	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.