Trip/Event Location: Newry, MEUS
Trip Leader(s): otherportland
Max # People: 10
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Moderate
I thought I'd offer a weekday hike/activity for a change, as my weekends are too often booked. Hopefully, it will be the first in a series, if there's interest. Puzzle Mountain is a favorite
Meet at the "GRAFTON LOOP HIKING TRAILS" parking lot, on RT 26 in North Newry, ME at 10am. The sign also says "STEWART FAMILY / Mahoosic Land Trust" (it does NOT say Puzzle Mtn). It IS NOT located in GRAFTON NOTCH STATE PARK, but just south of the park proper. FROM BETHEL, ME take RTS 2/5/26 north, driving straight PAST the SUNDAY RIVER SKI resort access road. About 5 miles north of Bethel, you will take a LEFT, continuuing on RT 26 to NEWRY, following the signs for GRAFTON NOTCH STATE PARK. Continue 4 miles north on RT 26, the trail head parking lot is on the RIGHT, not far after the red "Puzzle Mtn Pie Lady/Bakery" stand. Again, if you hit the entrance to Grafton Notch State Park, you've gone TOO FAR. There's usually plenty of parking, but carpooling is always encouraged, if possible.
We had a grand weekday hike on Puzzle Mtn, despite a light turnout - perfect skies/temps, bug free and not another soul on the mountain. The ledges, rocks, alpine gardens, and views were grand, as always. Great company, too. We hiked 3.1 miles to the summit, then added the Woodsum Spur trail for an additional 2 miles, about 7.9 miles total. The post hike beer / food was well deserved. Reports of a late summer glitter squall at the top were unconfirmed. Questions on whether all participants kept their pants on remain unanswered at press time...
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous
