Grafton Loop Trail.

[dirtbag]

I’ve done my research over the years. Just looking on here now for any info from anyone who may have hiked the loop already.

[John Q]

I may not have any new information about the Grafton Loop Trail that you haven’t already researched, so I can only tell you about my experience hiking it.  I hiked the eastern half of the Grafton Loop Trail in late October of 2011.  I started at the southern trailhead (Eddy Road Parking Lot) and hiked counter clockwise.  Set-up camp at the Town Corner campsite on the first day.  Finished up on the second day at the northern trailhead  (Grafton Notch AT parking lot).  The trail was pretty rugged so don’t expect to do any high mileage.  Other than that , the area is beautiful and very much worth the effort.  I went back in June of 2014, with every intention of hiking the western half of the loop, starting at the northern trailhead and heading south.  But after I started,  I decided just to continue south on the AT to the New Hampshire border and back.  I still have all intentions of completing the Loop one day soon.  Again, well worth the effort.

[Thom]

Thanks peeked my interest

thom

[dirtbag]

I was looking at day 1 about 11.5 miles from Southern trail head to Bull Run campsite area. Day 2 about 14 miles to Lane Tent site. Day 3 about 8.5 miles to Stewart Campsite… and finish off day 4 with a short 6.5 mile hike out including the woodsum Spur trail back to my car.  Of course everything can change when I actually start hiking,  but that is my rough idea.  My concern is Bull Run campsite..wood tent platforms.. Not a huge fan since I use bivy and tarp.. If I have to use my bivy on wooden platform.. No biggie,  except if its raining pitching the tarp on wood platforms will create a little work.

[Nicholas P]

I’ve hiked it in both directions. The first time was a few years ago , It was late fall and I hiked counterclockwise from the southern lot. I hiked it again late May this year,  this time going clockwise  from the northern lot.

As I recall, you were thinking about doing the loop  last July and we had some discussion about weather and timing. In hindsight it appears you made the right call and decided not to make the trip to Maine to hike it in July because all we had was rain here straight through until into August last summer.

Anyway it’s a great loop , rugged and very rewarding. The views are terrific especially during leaf season.
Hope you nail it weather wise this time around and if you have any specific questions go ahead and shoot.

[dirtbag]

Yeah the weather was atrocious and nothing but torrential down pours every day and night, so I did change my plans last year. Hopefully this year the weather holds a little better. I don’t mind rainy days and nights camping and hiking,  but If I’m making an 8 or 9 hour drive for a short trip like this, I would prefer fair weather some what. Otherwise, I am just fine heading to the Catskills in the rain!

[dirtbag]

I’m actually possibly considering just using my free standing tent instead of bivy and tarp. I’m not concerned about weight and space penalty.. It doesn’t appear to be any camping spots with views where my bivy would be prime to just throw down and enjoy. In fact the 2 or 3 spots I’m considering are in the woods.. Or maybe my hammock will be nice too??

[Nicholas P]

I would recommend avoiding bull run if it is wet. When I camped there the platforms were essentially islands and it wasn’t even raining but we had gotten about 10 inches two nights before so YMMV.

[dirtbag]

Any info on that bull run campsite? Is it only platform camping spot? I guess that is my only real question of any concern.

[dirtbag]

Hmmmm…

[dirtbag]

What’s YMMV?

[Nicholas P]

YMMV= Your mileage may vary

yeah only platforms at bull run, you could maybe push  through to speck pond , I’ve never camped there , I wanted to but it just never worked out. It seems like it would be a cool spot though – one of the highest elevation camp spots on the AT .Of course depending on when you go it could be full of through hikers.

Oh and I think the hammock would be a good choice.

[dirtbag]

Thanks!

[dirtbag]

Seriously leaning towards my hammock. Though my freestanding tent would also be nice .. simple and fast to pitch the mesh netting.. no stakes required.. and have a nice size  place to sit and sleep bug free.  But how many bugs really will be floundering about in the late evening and overnights?

Hence for that, my bivy would suffice .. keep it minimal and still be comfortable..

My hammock though?? I love that. Only problem is I have slept 12+ hours in there on multiple occasions.  Hence I wake up too late especially if I need early start to hike some tough longer miles. Yes I could set alarm on my watch and/or phone which I most certainly have to do when in my hammock.  It’s extra to bring a SECOND quilt though.. under quilt.. I do have a 40°  950 fill down under quilt I could pack…. or I can suck it up and just use my GG 1/8 thinlite inside my hammock instead. Would only be 3 nights at worst! …

[John Q]

After putting in some long hard hours on that rugged trail, I would choose the hammock. My hammock gives me the best nights sleep when on the trail.  Good for recovery.

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