Puzzle Mountain section of Grafton Loop Trail secured with donation

NEWRY — The Puzzle Mountain section of the 38.6-mile Grafton Loop Trail has been permanently secured with a gift from Robert Stewart of Cumberland to the Mahoosuc Land Trust.
Stewart, who was behind the creation of the challenging back-country trail through the Mahoosuc Mountains, donated 485 acres on the environmentally sensitive mountaintop to Mahoosuc Land Trust in 2005. The GLT opened in 2007 through a cooperative effort among private landowners, the state and many nonprofit organizations who sought to create multi-day hiking opportunities that offer alternatives to heavily used sections of the Appalachian Trail, the land trust said in a news release.
Stewart’s work on trail development on Puzzle Mountain goes back to 1993, when he acquired a large portion of Puzzle Mountain, and begin building trails with family and close friends, including forester and conservationist, Ken Woodsum. Stewart and Woodsum laid out what is now the Woodsum Spur Trail on Puzzle Mountain.
“Conservation on Puzzle Mountain and the Grafton Loop Trail has ha many champions,” said to MLT Executive Director Kirk Siegel. “Bob and the many individuals and groups that followed have left a lasting legacy.” Trail maintenance remains a 100 percent volunteer, collaborative enterprise, and users are invited to help. Maine Appalachian Trail Club now maintains the GLT over Puzzle Mountain, and Mahoosuc Pathways maintains the Woodsum Spur Trail. Information about Puzzle Mountain trails and the Stewart Family Preserve is at www.mahoosuc.org, or by contacting Siegel, at 207-824-3806 or kirk@mahoosuc.org.

PHOTO: A young hiker enjoys the Grafton Loop Trail. (Mac Davis photo)