Stewart Family Preserve at Puzzle Mountain
Description
The Puzzle Mountain trail forms a lollipop and incorporates the Grafton Loop Trail (38.6 miles) and Woodsum Spur and is approximately 7.5 miles round trip. The Grafton Loop Trail (GLT) leaves the parking lot and ascends to the open summit of Puzzle Mountain after passing several ledges with fine views of the Bear River Valley, the Mahoosuc Range and the Presidential Range beyond. Just before the summit, the Woodsum Spur branches to the right.
The GLT continues to the southwest peak with spectacular views in all directions. The GLT then follows open ledges and meets up with the other end of the Woodsum Spur. The GLT continues and connects to the Appalachian Trail in approximately 17 miles. The entire GLT loop is 38.6 miles and is remote and strenuous. Appropriate equipment is required.
It is recommended to walk the Woodsum Spur, in a clockwise direction. The trail goes gently up and down to the highest peak of Puzzle and then a series of open ledges. It crosses over the open summit of the Southeast peak and begins heading consistently downhill. The trail then enters the woods and crosses a stream with reliable water about three fourths of the way along the Woodsum Spur. After another 0.5 miles in the woods, the trail emerges again at the GLT.
Special Features
Puzzle Mountain is part of the eastern section of the Mahoosuc Range and is partially within the 9,993-acre Mahoosuc Ecological Reserve, specifically set aside to protect and monitor its natural ecosystems. More information about the reserve can be found at Maine Natural Areas Program's Ecoreserve Fact Sheet for Mahoosuc Unit.
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How To Get There
From the intersection of US Route 2 and ME Route 26 in Newry, follow ME Route 26 approximately 4.7 miles north. You will see the Grafton Loop Trail sign and the parking area are on the right, directly across from Eddy Road on the left. The trail leaves from the northern end of the parking area.
How This Place Became Open To the Public
In February 2005, Bob Stewart of Cumberland donated 485 acres of land, including the three summits of Puzzle Mountain and five miles of the route of the Grafton Loop Trail, to Mahoosuc Land Trust for permanent protection. The Woodsum Spur, according to Maine Trailfinder, is named after Ken Woodsum, a forester and conservationist who was instrumental in protecting Puzzle Mountain and first explored the route of the current trail with Bob Stewart.
