Gorham to Grafton

imported
#1 
									Asking advice from those who've done this section:  which direction is preferable, N to S, or S to N?

									_urs_
#2 
									My husband and I are slow, 60+, section hikers.  We hiked from Grafton to Gorham (N to S).  We did from Grafton to below the Mahoosuc Arm the 1st day.  There is a huge campsite just before Mahoosuc Notch.  You can get water at a stream crossing shortly before the campsite.  The next day we took 5 hours to go the 1 mile through Mahoosic Notch so we did not make many miles on day 2. We finished mid-morning on day 4.

									_Turtle Walking_
#3 
									I just did that section last week, you can get a feel for the northbound direction in my journal.  One of the main climbs is the Mahoosuc Arm. It would depend on whether you like to climb up very steep slippery slabs or down them. After enduring the Arm we went on to Speck Pond Shelter which has a great lake for swimming. That whole 30 mile section is loaded with slabs which need both hands and feet to negotiate safely especially when wet.  Take your time, enjoy.

									_Whisper_
#4 
									I pefer doing the steep stuff going up - its easier on my knees and less dangerous. Therefore, NOBO is preferable for me. As Turtle said, it can take a long time to get through the notch, so plan pleanty of time of it. Camp at the site north of the notch and do the big climb up the arm in the morning. Hope for good weather. This is one really difficult section and not just getting through the notch. If the weather is bad, it can be down right dangerous. 

									_Slo-go'en_
#5 
									Thanks all for replies.  My knees agree with So-go'en, so depending on how we arrange a car drop, will probably do NOBO.  Anybody know in what sort of shape the Success Pond road is?

									_urs_
#6 
									Success Pond Rd. was closed on the Grafton end when we were there 10 days ago.  It may have opened.  You might check with David at the Pine Ellis Hostel in Andover 207 392 4161.

									_Whisper_
#7 
									Thanks!  Will give him a call.

									_urs_
#8 
									You don't want to drive on the Success pond road if you don't have too. (like to access one of the short cut side trails) It's a very dusty and bummpy dirt road. Your much better off going the long way round via RT 26/RT 2, or for a more scienic route, up around through Erol.  

									_Slo-go'en_
#9 
									This was one of the toughest sections of the entire AT for us in 2006.  Rainy weather in the earlier stages didn't help, but we had a good day going thru the Notch.  One thing we enjoyed was camping at the top of Old Speck on a beautiful night.  Bring water up with you however.  We also enjoyed the B&B in Bethel once we came down to Grafton Notch.  Good luck either way and be careful.

									_swamp fox_