| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Puzzle Mountain, ME |
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 | Trails: |
Grafton Loop Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, January 24, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The lot for Puzzle Mountain is plowed after storms. Good, large lot. Kiosk, no privy. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All are frozen over (they are small anyway) |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Good trail for dogs. Although bereft of people during the week, it is a popular hiking destination on the weekends. Mainers won’t likely care (I certainly don’t) if your dog is leashed or not, so long as they are friendly. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Pair of glasses hanging on second kiosk in woods. They look prescription strength. |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
Out and back to Puzzle summit on the southern end of the Grafton Loop Trail.
This portion of trail is well blazed in blue blazes. It is meticulously maintained by a barrage of dedicated volunteers. Due to the lack of snow and significant ice flows below 1900 feet, some form of traction needed. Snowshoes will get torn up on the lower sections due to lack of snow.
Above 1900 feet snowshoes recommended. Fluffy and unconsolidated, just puffs up like baby powder out of a bottle when you step on it. The trail gets bony again just after entering the evergreen section past the Stewart Family Preserve sign. But this doesn’t last long and the large ledge just after the sign has about 6 inches of fluffy powder. There is a small amount of ice as you weave your way in and through the evergreens, nothing snowshoes can’t handle as it’s under an inch or so of new powder. Once embarking on the big climb up and over the numerous ledges that Maine is famous for, snowshoes are the only appropriate footwear. The snow is way too deep for spikes. You will go skidding down the ledges.
The summit is nearly clear of snow. The large cairn is easily seen. This is a very small area and doesn’t warrant removal of snowshoes.
The Woodsum Spur, as always, is not broken out. On clear days it is said to have commanding views.
I repeat that the snow is powder and not consolidated. Snowshoes will provide ultimate traction and stability on the ledges. |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-01-24 |
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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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