Grafton Loop Trail—East Side 6/28/2026

Yesterday, we tackled quite a long day hike! Over the course of 20 miles and 6,000 feet of elevation gain, we traversed the east side of the Grafton Loop Trail.

Starting our hike in Grafton Notch State Park

One thing to note about this section is that you should not rely on the Maine Mountain Guide description. Usually the Guide descriptions are quite good, but this one reads like it was written by someone quite some time after they hiked the trail. Landmarks are described in the wrong locations, slope steepness is described incorrectly, distances are misrepresented, some landmarks no longer exist as described, and the description overall is vague and not reflective of the on-the-ground trail experience.

West Peak on Baldpate Mountain

Sampson heading towards East Peak

In the saddle between the two peaks of Baldpate Mountain

We started our day at the Baldpate/Old Speck trailhead in Grafton Notch State Park. Our ascent of Baldpate went by pretty quickly, and we arrived at West Peak to find that morning fog still covering much of the mountain and surrounding area. As we crossed the saddle and ascended East Peak, the fog lifted, and we were treated to great views all around.

East Peak on Baldpate Mountain

View from East Peak

From this viewpoint on Baldpate, we could see the three ridges that we would spend the day traversing.

After a quick snack break, we started down the Grafton Loop. After passing East Baldpate Campsite, we reached Lightning Ledge. In my opinion, Lightning Ledge is one of the two best hidden gems on this section of trail. The ledge offers outstanding clifftop views of the mountains on the other side of Grafton Notch and the Bear River Valley. If it weren't such a long hike to get to it, I'm sure this would be a much more popular spot.

A ladder on the way down Baldpate Mountain

View from Lightning Ledge

Sampson on Lightning Ledge

Soon after Lightning Ledge, we came across the second hidden gem of this section of trail. Down a marked side path beyond Lane Campsite is a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole on Wight Brook. This is the same brook that eventually flows over Step Falls, and this waterfall is similar, although higher on the mountain and much more remote.

A section of trail through beautiful mossy forest

Sampson found this moose shed.

The waterfall near Lane Campsite

This section of trail follows a few branches of Wight Brook, and we navigated numerous stream crossings, some of which required care to stay dry on. We began the relatively gradual ascent of Long Mountain, crossing a seemingly abandoned snowmobile trail and passing Town Corner Campsite along the way. At the top of Long Mountain, we took the short spur to a somewhat restricted viewpoint, where we ate our lunch.

Town tri-point marker between Andover, Andover West Surplus, & Newry

Sign near the summit of Long Mountain

Looking towards Puzzle Mountain from Long Mountain

We descended off of Long Mountain, crossing a woods road and Chase Hill Brook. We then began the final ascent up Puzzle Mountain. Although not overly steep, I was getting a bit worn out by this point and the climb was slow going. We made it to the summit and enjoyed the excellent views from the variety of viewpoints on the mountain, before making the last descent off of Puzzle Mountain to the trailhead where my car was parked.

View up Grafton Notch from Puzzle Mountain

View towards Long Mountain from Puzzle Mountain

Sampson at the Southwest Peak of Puzzle Mountain

This was an awesome hike, and I'm super glad that I finally got the chance to hike a few of the more remote sections of the Grafton Loop. Perhaps the best part is that, despite it being a beautiful summer day, we didn't see another person over the entire course of 20 miles!

The signs marking the end of our hike

AllTrails Activity

McCoy-Chapman Forest 4/11/2026

 

One of the best parts of spring hiking is waterfalls! McCoy-Chapman Forest in Gilead and Newry is one of my favorite places for a waterfall hike, and it didn't disappoint today!

 

Waterfall on Chapman Brook

We started at the eastern trailhead on the Esker Loop, and followed the trail along the river. After crossing North Road, we headed up the McCoy-Gray Birch Trail to the viewpoint on the south slope of Wheeler Mountain. There were still some areas of packed snow and monorail on the trails, but they were mostly dry and were all easily hiked in just hiking boots. There were good views of the Androscoggin River Valley and White Mountains today from the viewpoint, and we took time to enjoy our lunch there.

 

Androscoggin River from the Esker Loop

Heading up the McCoy-Gray Birch Trail

Viewpoint at the end of the McCoy-Gray Birch Trail

The northern Presidential Range

On the way back down, we turned right onto the Chapman Brook Trail. When there is good water flow, as there was today, this is one of the best waterfall trails in the state, passing countless waterfalls on two branches of Chapman Brook. We took our time, and enjoyed the waterfalls as we ascended along one branch, and then descended back to the McCoy-Gray Birch along the other branch. The almost turquoise water of one of the brooks made the cascades especially pretty!

 

Waterfall along the Chapman Brook Trail

Waterfall along the Chapman Brook Trail

Lower down, we followed the other section of the Chapman Brook Trail to the main parking lot, and then the north branch of the Esker Loop back to our car. It was an absolutely perfect spring hike on a beautiful spring day!

 

A beautiful pool near the end of the trail

Sampson wallowing in the brook

AllTrails Activity

Bethel Community Forest West & Buck's Ledge Community Forest, Woodstock 10/11/2023

View from Buck's Ledge

Today I revisited two community forests in Bethel and Woodstock to complete some of the trails there that I had yet to hike.

Bethel Community Forest West Trailhead

This bridge was functioning as more of a dam than a bridge

First up was the Parks-Bennett Trail in the western part of the Bethel Community Forest. This trail makes a loop on the southern slope of Ellingwood Mountain, passing along a pretty brook and past an excellent viewpoint, known as "The Prow" along the way.

A cascade along the trail

Last time I hiked here, I hiked the Red Pine Ridge Trail, instead of completing the Parks-Bennett Loop.

The loop junction

This time, I hiked the entire loop clockwise, and paused for a while to enjoy the view from The Prow.

View from The Prow

View from The Prow

This cleared area with a view up the mountain is called "Porcupine Panorama"

I then drove over to Buck's Ledge Community Forest in Woodstock.

Start of the Lapham Loop

This property was recently conserved by the town, and encompasses three peaks: Lapham Ledge, Buck's Ledge, and Moody Mountain. I started up the Lapham Loop, and soon made it to the top of the ledge, where I enjoyed my lunch and the view.

View from Lapham Ledge

After lunch, I headed down the other side of the Lapham Loop to Mann Road. I then followed Mann Road to the west end of the Buck's Ledge Trail.

The start of the Buck's Ledge Trail on Mann Road

This trail steadily climbed to the top of Buck's Ledge, which had the best views of the day.

Summit sign on Buck's Ledge

View from Buck's Ledge towards Mount Abram

After taking in the view, I headed up the JnJ Backcountry Trail to the top of Moody Mountain.

Logbook at the top of Moody Mountain

The top of Moody Mountain

Although this is the highest peak in the forest, the views here are rather limited. I descended steeply to the old logging road, and followed the road back to the parking area, with a short bushwhack detour around where they were doing construction.

The old logging road

The lower part of the old road is being improved to provide a way for disabled people to enjoy views without having to hike.

View from the lower part of the old logging road