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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Sunday River Whitecap, Stowe Mountain, Bald Mountain (Grafton Notch), ME
Trails
Trails: Grafton Loop Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, September 5, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parking is at a designated lot off Route 26 (Mahoosuc Public Land sign). You must then walk 0.6 miles south to the official trailhead on private land. Space for 20 cars. This lot was not plowed last winter. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All small streams rock hopable.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Signage is excellent. There are blue blazes along the entire route after leaving the land easements. The blazes are also at an excellent height for traveling in snow. However, I feel that the blazes are way too far apart. This is especially the case in the open woods. A novice hiker going out early in the season would have a challenge negotiating these open, but beautiful, woods. Also, there is only one double blaze on the entire trail to indicate a turn. All other turns were not marked. Someone was nice enough to put small carins at the slightly tricky areas. One blowdown left on the trail. Some sections of trail have lush understory encroaching on the trail making it hard to see the trail. The shoulder of Stowe, heading west to Sargent tent site, after the descent from the summit, is nearly overridden with understory. There are also no blazes in this section. You have to push the understory aside with poles to see the trail. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Peace out, bugs! None today in these cooler temps! 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Other than blazing and understory frustrations, this is a very nice trail. Moderate to experienced level hikers will travel this trail with ease. The trail is well thought out as it traverses these mountainsides and even has switchbacks!!! At this time of year the footpath is defined, though this is a newer trail so the footbed is not deep. Newer hikers take care to get to the next blaze. Leaf fall will make this trail harder to follow in the open woods.

The view from Sunday River Whitecap is superb. Established outlooks give you 360 degree views of the Whites, Mahoosucs, Bigelows, and beyond. It looks like you could just reach out and touch “Old Specker.”  
Name
Name: Remington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-09-05 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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