NEWRY – National Trails Day on Saturday, June 7, ushers in the official opening of a major new backcountry hiking trail in Grafton Notch.

“The dedication of the Grafton Loop Trail is one of many events planned around Maine and the country for National Trails Day, a national celebration of trails,” said Landon Fake, a member of the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition.

Approximately 20 miles of trail, located on the eastern side of Route 26, is the first of two Grafton Loop Trail sections to be completed.

“It has been six years in the making,” Fake added.

The eastern leg traverses some of the area’s most spectacular mountain peaks in the rugged, steep Mahoosuc Range.

The trail on the western side of Route 26 is still about two years from completion. When fully established, the true loop trail will be 42 miles in length.

The trail celebration for the new footpath will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the trail head for the new trail, which is located on Route 26 approximately 4.7 miles north of Route 2. A tent will be erected in the field with a display of the trail, along with refreshments.

Maine Department of Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan will officially dedicate the new trail. Other presentations will be made by those involved in developing the trail followed by McGowan’s official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Additionally, a 4.5-mile round trip hike up Puzzle Mountain will begin at 11 a.m. with lunch planned on the mountain’s ledges, Fake said.

“Hikers will need to bring their own food and water and should dress appropriately. We will break into smaller groups,” he added.

The day’s events are being sponsored by the Grafton Loop Trail Coalition, a collection of organizations, landowners and interested citizens who have joined together to build the trail.

For more information, call Fake at 824-3152 ext. 465, or Steve Spencer at the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands at 297-4920.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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