Making the loop

DIERDRE FLEMING, Portland Press Herald Writer

Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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Trail name: Grafton Loop Trail Nearest town: Newry Region: Western Lakes and Mountains Length: 21 miles including 4 on the Appalachian Trail Difficulty: Intermediate Elevation: The eastern part of the trail winds near 3,142-foot Puzzle Mountain, beside 3,021-foot Long Mountain, and near 2,641-foot Lightning Ledge Other: The first 17 miles of the new Grafton Loop Trail were completed and opened in June, 2003, on National Trails Day, providing a 21-mile wilderness path that included four miles of the Appalachian Trail. This eastern section of the 43-mile Grafton Loop Trail leaves Route 26 in Newry and finishes in Grafton Notch State Park. The roughly 18 miles of the loop's trail that needs to be built is expected to be completed by 2005. It will connect to another four miles of the Appalachian Trail, creating another trail to the west of Route 26 and a total loop of 43 miles. For more information on the Grafton Loop Trail, or to volunteer, contact www.outdoors.org or www.matc.org. Directions: The eastern section of the 43-mile Grafton Loop Trail leaves Route 26 in Newry and finishes in Grafton Notch State Park. Take Route 2 from Bethel and turn left on Route 26. Maps: Get driving directions from MapQuest. View a topo map from Maptech MapServer. Staff photo by Herb Swanson Volunteer crew members unload equipment before hiking to the Grafton Loop Trail to help with its construction. Staff photo by Herb Swanson Trevor Pratt works on a portion of the Grafton Loop Trail near Bethel.

The Mahoosuc Trail elicits grunts, moans and sighs of wonder from many Appalachian Trail hikers who already have traveled from Georgia to Maine on their 14-state odyssey.

The range of mountains in the western part of the state is known to be the most grueling section of the long-distance hike.

But from toil comes fortune. From hardship comes insight.

The Mahoosucs - back-breaking as the climb through them can be - are known to offer some of the most stunning views around.

This is why it's fortunate hikers and backcountry wanderers finally have the opportunity to explore the Grafton Loop Trail, a 42-mile loop that will eventually run over a piece of the Appalachian Trail in the Mahoosuc Range and wind through a series of mountain peaks north of Bethel.

Some 21 miles of the trail's eastern section were opened on National Trail Day June 7 after several years of work. This first section leaves Route 26 in Newry and finishes in Grafton Notch State Park.

There remains another 18 miles of trail that needs to be built to the west of Route 25.

When that's completed, a total of 34 miles of new trail will have been cut and connected to eight miles of the Appalachian Trail, creating a 42-mile loop.

The entire Grafton Loop Trail is expected to be fin ished in the summer of 2005.

It's been 10 years in the making, said Cristin Preisendorfer, the club's White Mountains trail supervisor.

The loop is being created to take pressure off the Appalachian Trail and, at the same time, provide a backcountry experience for those who enjoy long-distance hiking in the wilderness, said Rob Burbank with the Appalachian Mountain Club.

The trail is a cooperative effort with the state, nonprofit organizations such as the club, and private landowners.

Loops are a favorite among hikers because they can be enjoyed without much logistical planning, especially by solo hikers.

The area around Maine's western mountains neighbors New Hampshire's renowned Presidential Range. It may not be as popular, but Maine's backcountry playground is an adventurer's wonderland.

The Grafton Loop Trail, because of the rough, rocky terrain, could take a hiker anywhere from three to six days to traverse. Primitive, rustic campsites offer simple lodging for backpackers.

The entire trail is roughly 42 miles, but the ascents are steep, and packed with far-reaching views hikers may want to stop and enjoy. It's possible that even the hikers who can cover more than 10 miles a day will take longer along the new trail.

"The scenery is such, it's worth slowing down to really enjoy it," Burbank said.

The trail links with the Appalachian Trail on East Baldpate Mountain - at 3,812 feet - and 4,170-foot Old Speck.

It also winds through a myriad of mountain land.

The eastern part of the trail, the section that's open, winds near 3,142-foot Puzzle Mountain, and beside 3,021-foot Long Mountain, and near 2,641-foot Lightning Ledge.

The western section eventually will run along land surrounding 2,730-foot Stowe Mountain, Sunday River Whitecap's 3,335-foot peak and 3,250-foot Slide Mountain.

The western footpath now being built goes over boulders and steep slopes. In creating the trail, workers have to carve a path in the mountainside with heavy shovels and axes.

The Appalachian Mountain Club is leading the trail-construction work on the western part of the trail.

Preisendorfer said the terrain in areas is so steep that the club is reinventing the way it builds trails.

"The steepest part is on the eastern side of Stowe Mountain," Preisendorfer said. "It's all about what (land) the land owners gave permission to use. . . . Whoever the owner is, we had to stay to that one area within 75 feet of the line. One hundred years ago, AMC when it was cutting a trail went any way it wanted."

Burbank said the loop trail marks the first time in 25 years the club, the nation's oldest conservation and recreation organization, has worked on forging a new trail.

The last new trail built by the club was the Centennial Trail in the Mahoosucs, which was forged in 1976, according to the club, which was founded in 1876.

"There is so much work involved in doing it. Certainly, we do a ton of work on maintaining existing trails," Burbank said. "Creating new trails is a huge undertaking. First you have to find a spot that needs a trail. There was a need for another long-distance trail here because the Appalachian Trail was the only option, and there was a lot of heavy use on that."

Even with a thunderstorm rolling in one June afternoon, the full-time trail staff that lives on the mountain during the week toiled without stopping in order to dig out a new trail.

Preisendorfer hikes up to visit the crew periodically, making sure the project is moving forward. She coordinates the work of the full-time crew with a volunteer effort from dozens who sign up to help the club construct trails.

A passionate hiker, Preisendorfer said she's happy to get out of the office and spend four hours hiking into and out of the Mahoosuc range to rally the trail crews.

She'll enjoy the trails they're creating someday herself.

"There are not a lot of long-distance trails in this area. This is the first new trail made in a long time," Preisendorfer said.

The Grafton Loop Trail was made poss ible by a diverse collaboration that includes the Maine Recreational Trails program, the Maine Community Foundation, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, the Black Bear Bed & Breakfast, Hauben Foundation, Sunday River Ski Area, Robert Stewart, Fields Pond Foundation, and members of the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at: dfleming@pressherald.com