| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Puzzle Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Grafton Loop Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 13, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There was room at the trailhead lot at 8:00AM. This lot serves as the southern parking for both the eastern and western sections of the Grafton Loop Trail. To access the trailhead of the western section, one has to walk down route 26 to the trailhead sign. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Only small brooks easily stepped over |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I sawed up the crown of a quaking aspen that was blocking the trail. Otherwise, the only tree falls were at ground level |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
OK for dogs used to ledge climbs. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I didn't notice a sign for the upper junction of the Woodsum Trail with the Grafton Loop Trail. Either, I missed it or it doesn't exist. The sign at the lower junction is fine. There are some small rectangular wood signs that had no distinctive letters or symbols.
I was able to hike up Puzzle Mountain early enough to enjoy mainly clear skies from the ledges and the summit. There is a large cairn at the summit along with three metal discs in the surrounding ledges. From the summit you get a 360-degree view that includes the peaks of Grafton Notch, the Mahoosuc Range, and the faraway Presidential Range. The snow on Mt Washington was visible. As I was on top of Puzzle Mountain, I saw clouds starting to creep in towards Mt Washington. I didn't readily see the northern terminus of the Woodsum Trail and no signage. Since I wanted to descend over the ledge areas before the rain arrived I decided to forego the hike down Woodsum Trail. I had no difficulty finding the Woodsum Trail on Puzzle Mountain back in 2020.
The Grafton Loop Trail is a favorite for overnight backpackers, although the hike up Puzzle Mountain is a great day hike with a good payoff in views. The steep ledges would be challenging in wet or icy conditions. I seem to recall that the trail used to go up some steep ledges that the current trail seems to avoid. Perhaps there was a rerouting of the trail.
Cairns and blue blazes are plentiful in marking the way.
The dry leaves were a bit slippery on the steepest grades in the forest. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK@Roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-10-13 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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