GRAFTON TOWNSHIP — What started as a plan to revisit Bald Mountain in Weld turned into an unexpectedly rugged spring adventure on the Eyebrow Trail in Grafton Notch State Park, where slippery rocks, cliffside scrambles and waterfalls made for more demanding hike than expected.

After several recent flat walks on the Whistle Stop Trail and treadmill sessions, we wanted to return to one of western Maine’s more familiar mountain routes. Instead, after heading toward Grafton Notch and revisiting memories of last year’s hike at Table Rock north of Newry, we decided to try the nearby Eyebrow Trail loop.

The roughly 2-mile loop proved much steeper and more technical than anticipated, featuring cable handholds, ladder rungs, wooden bridges and cliffside sections made slick by wet leaves and recent rain. The route climbs roughly 1,100 feet in a relatively short distance and is typically intended to be hiked counterclockwise, with the steepest section normally used for ascent rather than descent.

Without realizing it at the time, we completed the loop in reverse, saving the steepest and most difficult section for the descent.

The hike began around 2 p.m. after briefly considering a longer climb toward Old Speck Mountain. But with daylight becoming a factor, we decided against risking a descent in darkness and instead stayed on the shorter loop.

The conditions were nearly ideal for early May, with temperatures around 62 degrees, blue skies mixed with scattered clouds and early spring flowers beginning to emerge along the trail. Waterfalls and streams were running heavily throughout the notch, adding to the atmosphere but also contributing to slippery footing.

Several slips occurred on wet rock and leaf-covered sections.

The trail’s steep sections included iron ladder rungs, cable-assisted climbs and exposed ledges overlooking the notch below. At several points, the parking area appeared surprisingly far beneath the cliffside trail.

The trip also included an unusual hiking accessory: a watermelon.

Packed alongside normal gear were a cutting board and a large “Kids Choice” watermelon grown in the United States, carried up the mountain specifically for a summit break overlooking the notch. We eventually cut and shared the watermelon near the scenic overlook, making it one of the highlights of the trip and, arguably, the best watermelon of the year so far.

The mountain watermelon stop also previewed an upcoming story focused on watermelon season, taste rankings and spring produce culture.

Despite a sore ankle, muddy shoes and a few unexpected slides, the hike became one of the more memorable spring outings we’ve had in a while, with rushing waterfalls, rugged terrain and clear mountain views throughout the loop.

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