Grafton Notch

“Does anyone know where I can find maps of trails for the Grafton Notch Park? Table Rock, Moose Cave Gorge, Mother Walker Falls, Screw Auger Falls are all mentioned on web-sites but I can't find any info on distances, rating or maps of the trails.”

“You can download a map, distances and trail descriptions from this site for the GRAFTON LOOP TRAIL:

http://www.matc.org/glt1.htm”

“You can do all that, probably in a morning, certainly all day.

Start at Screw Auger falls. You can bound around there for a half an hour or so. Depends on how inquisitive you and your party are.

Then move on to Mother Walker falls. Really just a string of small cascades. Falls is being generous, but it's a nice nature walk, about a half mile.

Then onto Moose cave. Another half mile stroll into a gorge. Very nice, lichen gardens and wood scenery. The "cave" is a bit of a dissappointment if you have ever been to a cavern. In Maine and most of Northern New England, a cave is two rocks leaning aginst each other that you may get below and between. But this cave is huge by Maine standards. You can klimb all over it and see where it broke off the rock above it. Obviously it is named for the moose that was once stuck there. It's a fun place with informational placards.

Now on to Table Rock. This is accesable year round. There are enough folks going in winter to keep the trail packed down. You can do it in hiking boots probably. Snowshoes to be sure in winter. This is a fairly arduous mile straight up, or circle around the back side for easier terrain and winter. Little more than a mile. Table rock is aptly named. At the top, is a huge flat rock outcropping that you see the entire notch from. Bring snacks or a small stove and soup. Very nice up there. I've been there many times and never seen more than 2 dozen there. I aslo have only had it to myself once.

Enjoy”

“What we are really looking for is an overnighter. We are intermediate hikers in good shape. Looking for something challenging. Any ideas? We will be there in June.”