Is camping permitted near or north of Grafton Notch Shelter?

imported
#1

Dear Hikers,

I’m hiking with a group of seven high school students in August. For several years, our summer camp has done a 6-day hike in the Mahoosucs, including a 24-hour solo experience for the students. (During solo, each student is given a solo tarp to set up and then spends 24 hours alone. We would prefer to be at least a half-mile from established tentsites and campsites, I think.) I just found out that it’s illegal to camp at non-established sites between Gentian Pond and Rattle River, which would include the seven solo tarps that my students would have set up.

Can anyone tell me if camping is permitted near the AT in Grafton Notch State Park or somewhere north of 26? I would still like to plan a modified Mahoosucs hike (with a solo) for my students, if I can.

many thanks,

Will

will

#2

I believe your subject line is a typo, as the Grafton Notch lean to has been gone for years. So I hope you have a more current map that does not show this!?

There isn’t much ground in the Mahoosuc Range for this kind of camping-the trail spends the whole 30 some miles going up or down steeply w/ledges and box canyons and sensitive areas of peat (read: wet). But it sounds like you must already know that.

The next section up West and East Baldpate doesn’t afford any more flat ground either, though I believe it is permitted.

Not sure this answered any questions, Maine is a tough state to set up camp away from shelters and campsites, one reason there are ample ones located along the AT.

Bluebearee

#3

North of Grafton Notch (rt. 26) 2.3 miles, there is the West Baldpate shelter with tenting in the area.

Another option, the Grafton Loop Trail is now complete and offers a nice 39 mile trek. With this hike you could start and end from the parking lot on Rt. 26.

From the summit of East Baldpate leave the AT and follow the Grafton Loop Trail for 2 miles to a campsite.
I hiked the 39mi. GLT two years ago and enjoyed it very much. This is a great area to hike. I hope I helped.

“Hammer”

Hammer

#4

The Grafton Loop Trail that Hammer mentions is much less used than the A.T. and has a few potential non-established campsite locations. I hiked it in '07 & the tread was still spongy from lack of use. Where the GLT crosses HWY #26 (southern crossing) there is potential for what you are interested in a few miles to the west.

Also, Dunn Notch & Falls (near where the A.T. crosses East B Hill Road - about 8 miles west of Andover ME) has many potential campsites, although these are probably frequented by locals on the weekends due to the proximity of the road.

Good Luck & Happy Trails!

freebird

#5

I’ll echo the two posts on the Grafton Loop Trail. This is a beautiful underutilized trail with many stealth camping opportunities along with the many established campsites. Just remember that it is largely on private property and leave no trace is an absolute must if you are stealth camping. That means no fires, no garbage and no cutting of vegatation to improve your campsite.

Big B

#6

Aside from the legality of the campsite, I would hope that the students are learning abut the leave no trace ethic, which also teaches to camp at established sites rather than causing damage to new areas.

stryker