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4 Hikes in Grafton Notch State Park

by Rosalie Holliday last modified June 25, 2007 10:00 AM

Description in text format - no map. Eyebrow Trail Loop, Table Rock Loop, Old Speck Trail, Baldpate Mtn. Trail


Park hours are from 9 a.m. to sunset, seasonally from May 15 through October 15.

Park fees are $2 per person per day, with children under 12 free. There are fee collection containers located in the park.  Telephone in-season, 207.824.2912; off-season, 207.624.6080.

Short Day Hikes
Both of the following loops have very steep sections. If you wish, you can avoid them by using the return route only.

Eyebrow Trail Loop (Round trip )
2.1 miles/3.4 km (1 hr., 40 min.)
From the trailhead parking lot, follow the white blazes south along the Appalachian Trail for about .1 mile to the junction of the Eyebrow Trail. Turn right onto the orange-blazed Eyebrow Trail. The trail passes through a stand of magnificent hardwoods, then ascends very steeply to the top of the Eyebrow Precipice, approximately 1,000 feet above the parking lot. The views are spectacular. Continue to follow the orange blazes to the junction of the white-blazed trail. Turn left and follow the white blazes back to the parking lot. There are nice views of Cascade Brook on the return trip.

Table Rock Loop (Round trip)
2.4 miles/3.8 km (1 hr., 45 min.)
From the trailhead parking lot, follow the white-blazed Appalachian Trail north, crossing Route 26. At .1 mile, turn right onto the orange-blazed Table Rock Trail. The trail ascends very steeply through hardwoods and boulder fields to a flat peak approximately 900 feet above the road. Views are extraordinary, including Old Speck, the Eyebrow, and Grafton Notch. Return via the blue blazes to the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. Turn left and follow the white blazes to the parking lot. the descent is gradual.

Long Day Hikes
These two trails into the backcountry take nearly all day to hike. Hikers should be properly equipped and conditioned.

Old Speck Trail (One way)
3.9 miles/6.3 km (3 hrs., 25 min.)
From the trailhead parking lot, follow the white-blazed Appalachian Trail south. Pass the junctions of the Eyebrow Trail at .1 mile and 1.2 miles/1.9 km and continue on the trail ascending the scenic north ridge of Old Speck to the junction of Mahoosuc Trail and Summit Trail. Turn left and go .3 mile to Old Speck Summit (4,180 feet/1,274 meters). Open observation tower on the wooded summit affords a spectacular 360-degree view, including the Mahoosuc Range, Grafton Notch, and the White Mountains.

Baldpate Mountain Trail (One way)
West Peak: 2.9 mi./4.7 km (2 hrs, 20 min.)
East Peak: 3.8 mi./6.1 km (3 hrs., 15 min.)
From the trailhead parking lot, follow the white-blazed Appalachian Trail north, crossing Route 26. Pass the orange-blazed Table Rock Trail on the right at .1 mile. Ascend gradually, passing the blue-blazed side trail to Table Rock at .9 mile. Then the trail ascends steadily across the north slope to West Baldpate summit (elevation 3,680 feet/1,122 meters), which offers fine views in almost all directions. Turning north, the trail loses only 240 feet in altitude before climb-ing to East Peak, nearly a mile beyond. The view from East Peak (elevation 3, 812 feet/ 1,162 meters) is outstanding in all directions.

Leave No Trace
-  Leave no trace.
-  Be extremely careful with matches.
-  Smoke only when stopped, and extinguish all cigarettes.
-  Don't litter. Please carry out what you carry in, including cigarette filters and gum or candy wrappers.

- Pack out toilet paper (or bury it well)! Dig a hole 6" deep for human waste, well away from water.

-  Please do not pick anything or disturb wildlife or the natural terrain.

Trail Precaution
1. Register your party in the trail log.
2. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
3. Plan return before dark.
4. Carry plenty of water and dress and equip yourself appropriately.
5. Stay on marked trails. Don't get lost.
6. Supervise children closely.

Rules
To ensure a safe and pleasant visit for everyone, please follow a few simple rules:

Stay on trails.
Do not use alcohol.
Do not pick anything; leave everything for others to enjoy.
Keep pets on leashes.
Respect park boundaries.
Build fires only in grills provided.
Clean up after pets.


Resources
Mt. Will Trail Map
Try this hike close to town.
Grafton Notch State Park Hiking Map
PDF format including map of these four hikes - Eyebrow Trail Loop Table Rock Loop Old Speck Trail Baldpate Mtn. Trail.
More Pages
Step Falls
This short hike is a favorite of locals.
Hiking in Evans Notch
There are many wonderful hikes in the Maine section of the White Mountain National Forest on Route 113.
Grafton Loop Trail
Traversing nine mountain summits and seven primitive campsites, this thirty-one mile trail offers unique backcountry experiences.
4 Hikes in Grafton Notch State Park
Description in text format - no map. Eyebrow Trail Loop, Table Rock Loop, Old Speck Trail, Baldpate Mtn. Trail
Short hikes/walks in Grafton Notch
Travelers who want to see Mother Nature’s artwork, but don’t want to stray far from their vehicles, will want to stop at Screw Auger Falls, Moose Cave and Mother Walker Falls.
 

Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce
8 Station Place
PO Box 1247
Bethel, ME 04217
Tel: 207.824.2282 or 800.442.5826 Fax: 207.824.7123
Email: info@bethelmaine.com

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