tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post2469073893610587544..comments2024-03-24T14:10:13.944-04:00Comments on 1HappyHiker: A Pleasant Springtime Hike to Puzzle Mountain (Maine)1HappyHikerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-59584062041956666432014-08-12T14:24:28.712-04:002014-08-12T14:24:28.712-04:00Lisa,
Thank you for taking time to post a reply t...Lisa,<br /><br />Thank you for taking time to post a reply to my blog. That is such a fascinating story about your days living on Puzzle Mountain.<br /><br />You asked if anyone has seen evidence of any old homes while hiking this mountain. Sorry to say that I personally have not.<br /><br />Best wishes to you for perhaps finding a way to visit your old home site on Puzzle Mountain!<br /><br />If you have any follow up questions to ask of me, please feel free to contact me by e-mail at:<br />Randonneur8 AT yahoo DOT com.<br /><br />John <br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-65512500877403467572014-08-11T21:07:05.919-04:002014-08-11T21:07:05.919-04:00I just tried to post as myself but don't know ...I just tried to post as myself but don't know how so my post went up as anonymous, my name is Lisa Patrick Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-3455030067279812142014-08-11T21:05:39.727-04:002014-08-11T21:05:39.727-04:00Wow, this was amazing to find your blog. I just dr...Wow, this was amazing to find your blog. I just drove back from Newry to Vt. tonite and was trying to find the old rd. to drive up to Puzzle.I guess i found it and the old logyard on Branch Rd. but it was gated. In 1975 we owned the 100 acres at the very top of the mtn., 2 other couples owned lots below us and one home was built, another started. We camped in a large LLBean tent our 1st summer and then built a very small shed roof cabin out of materials we had from an old ski house. We were married up there on the very top on a large rock we called Marriage Rock. Puzzle was our dream but it was rough being up there w/ 2 children and keeping jeeps, trucks and ski-doos going. We bought a home in Vt. in 1985 and sold our land in Me. We were told by locals that the land was sacred to the Indians and no one who tried fared well there, that the spirits did not want anyone up there. The 2 other couples went bankrupt and we left as it was just too difficult being the only landowners left as we were trying to form a community. We were also told that the name is basically from the fact that you think you are at the top and it is not the top so you keep going higher, thus it became a Puzzle. I don't know what the Indian name was. I am thrilled to find this blog and to know that Puzzle is being enjoyed as a hiking destination. Has anyone seen any evidence of the old homes at the top? Now i need to go back and find out how to get up there . Thank you so much ,i so thrilled to read about my old home. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-40381026100954045392013-07-10T23:02:18.119-04:002013-07-10T23:02:18.119-04:00John, first of all, my apologies for such a tardy ...John, first of all, my apologies for such a tardy reply. For whatever reason, I just now received the comment that you posted. Funny things can sometimes happen in cyberspace! <br /><br />Anyway, thank you so much for that exceptionally interesting information about the origin of the name for Puzzle Mountain. I'm truly appreciative of you taking time to share this with me and other readers of my Blog.<br /><br />John<br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-5261076060167078512013-07-08T18:49:52.507-04:002013-07-08T18:49:52.507-04:00Hi,
My son read an old book about the naming of Mo...Hi,<br />My son read an old book about the naming of Mountains in Maine. I'm relay the best I can on the naming of Puzzle Mountain as best I can. It came about was during the colonial times, an outdoorsman was exploring the mountain and general area. As he was leaving he found a deposit of graphite. He made references to where he found it and wanted to come back. As he scaled down the face of the mountain, he had an axe that he held onto or he wouldn't lose it. After he left the mountain he went home vowing to return and find his cache. He went back many times searching for the graphite deposit and he never found it. He always said it was a puzzle where it was and the name stuck.<br />John<br />Puzzle Mountain LodgeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-49425950057358414782013-06-01T20:40:28.221-04:002013-06-01T20:40:28.221-04:00Hi Nancy,
First of all, thank you for the kind wo...Hi Nancy,<br /><br />First of all, thank you for the kind words about my report. And secondly, thank you for providing me with an “excuse” to revisit Puzzle Mtn. At the time of doing this hike, I had this nagging feeling that it was a error of judgment to bypass the Woodsum Loop. Now that you’ve confirmed my suspicions, I’ll definitely have to make a return visit. But that’s okay! It’s something I’ll look forward to doing. :-)<br /><br />John<br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-89773680960722641322013-06-01T18:32:26.409-04:002013-06-01T18:32:26.409-04:00Thank you for sharing another fine photo-report, J...Thank you for sharing another fine photo-report, John. It looks like you passed up the Woodsum Loop on this visit - it's a bit rough around the edges but is very worthwhile. That gives you an excuse to make another trip to Puzzle, as if you needed one!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02804983328166525085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-71774719316841627632013-05-28T07:52:30.643-04:002013-05-28T07:52:30.643-04:00Dan, thanks for the kind words about the photos!
...Dan, thanks for the kind words about the photos!<br /><br />And regarding the summit canister on Puzzle, I didn't really know beforehand that there would be one. But, since I was already so close to the high point, just took a chance and went off-trail to snoop around to see if there might be one. And sure enough, there was!<br /><br />John<br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-84963054371864819182013-05-27T23:53:56.021-04:002013-05-27T23:53:56.021-04:00Beautiful photos, John. Those views and your photo...Beautiful photos, John. Those views and your photos are making me want to do this again sooner than later. Especially since I had no idea there was a summit canister on Puzzle Mountain! DMOutdoorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646176191389908948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-72139339069117931032013-05-22T20:56:47.234-04:002013-05-22T20:56:47.234-04:00Steve, thanks for the kind words about my photos!
...Steve, thanks for the kind words about my photos!<br /><br />You are so right about Puzzle Mountain being a lesser-known gem. I’m uncertain why it gets so little notoriety. Personally, I would rank Puzzle Mountain about dead even with the Baldpates. And whereas Old Speck is nice, and it is a 4K peak, I wasn’t as impressed with it as I was with Puzzle Mountain and the Baldpates!<br /><br />Also, as you correctly state, the drive to Grafton Notch is well worth the drive. And actually, as compared to some Evans Notch trailheads, it takes me only about 10 minutes longer to drive from Bethlehem to trailheads in Grafton Notch.<br /><br />John<br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-40632444161300611092013-05-22T20:55:26.219-04:002013-05-22T20:55:26.219-04:00Hi Summerset,
You and other members of your famil...Hi Summerset,<br /><br />You and other members of your family should consider doing a few hikes in Maine. I think you’d find it enjoyable. However, I realize that Maine would be a bit of a drive for you from your home in southern NH. Perhaps you could consider the overnight backpacking option? As I understand it, there are some nice shelters along the Grafton Loop Trail, as well as other locations in Maine.<br /><br />Thanks for posting your comments!<br /><br />John<br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-4716376522714869742013-05-22T12:29:17.752-04:002013-05-22T12:29:17.752-04:00Nice report with your usual great photos, John! Pu...Nice report with your usual great photos, John! Puzzle is a lesser-known gem, as Old Speck and Baldpate get most of the ink in that area. It's a long drive to Grafton Notch but well worth it.<br /><br />SteveSteve Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16403760631302934834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-74318191589802426582013-05-22T07:54:29.610-04:002013-05-22T07:54:29.610-04:00Very lovely indeed! We've been recently consi...Very lovely indeed! We've been recently considering doing some hiking in Maine and you've certainly whetted the appetite. Now, just to figure out how to fit that in with the other hiking plans this summer. Your trip report from Old Speck last year was helpful, too, although not sure we'll tackle that until maybe July. Thanks for posting these trips, looks like summer is really on the way!Summersethttp://www.nh48.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-28407268242939421022013-05-21T15:34:38.018-04:002013-05-21T15:34:38.018-04:00Hi Rita,
This was indeed a very nice hike. As in...Hi Rita,<br /><br />This was indeed a very nice hike. As indicated in my report, it was the first time that either Marty or I had visited this particular mountain. I had read some good reports about it, but there’s no substitute for experiencing something firsthand. <br /><br />And regarding those metal rungs, it didn’t occur to me to equate them to playground equipment, but now that you mention it, I completely agree! Scrambling up cliffs/ledges is pure “playground” fun for me. But strangely enough, I abhor climbing fire towers! Go figure! If there is a mountain peak that involves climbing a tower (especially a tall one) in order to get a view, then I’ll sometimes avoid visiting the peak entirely. Or, I’ll try to find some alternative way of getting a view by bushwhacking to a cliff/ledge, etc.<br /><br />John<br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-15103697308141342382013-05-21T12:59:48.798-04:002013-05-21T12:59:48.798-04:00After reading this post and viewing your pictures,...After reading this post and viewing your pictures, I have to say that I would find it puzzling indeed as to why anyone wouldn't want to attempt this hike!<br />The spring greenery, the expansive views and the wildflowers all make this a winner of a spring trek.<br />Also I just love those metal rungs—every time I find something like that on a trail it's like being on the playground again!<br /><br />Thanks for another fine report about a wonderful destination, John!One Day in Americahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06908834658716123640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-21555912444072267152013-05-20T16:06:26.591-04:002013-05-20T16:06:26.591-04:00Ryan, thanks for the links to your Grafton Notch r...Ryan, thanks for the links to your Grafton Notch reports! Thanks to your gift with words, I was able to clearly ‘picture’ your adventures. Photos were unnecessary. ;-)<br /><br />John <br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-80229850999988406222013-05-20T15:29:39.595-04:002013-05-20T15:29:39.595-04:00Well, it's a little less fun to visit in the p...Well, it's a little less fun to visit in the pouring rain ;)<br /><br />Each visit was at least doing a part of the Grafton Loop Trail, which is one of my favorite backpacking trips around. I have two trip reports from some of those hikes, but due to the weather and a dead camera battery, there weren't many pictures. Here are the links:<br /><br />http://www.guthookhikes.com/2011/05/grafton-loop-trail-520-22.html<br />http://www.guthookhikes.com/2009/08/grafton-loop-trail-73109.html<br /><br />Maybe I'll have a better trip report if I can make it out on the trail this summer!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13645865490952231444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-7444642360936104702013-05-20T08:19:53.961-04:002013-05-20T08:19:53.961-04:00Ryan, Thank you for your compliments. But, Wow! ...Ryan, Thank you for your compliments. But, Wow! Perhaps it is me who should be jealous of you for having visited Puzzle Mountain four times! Were any (or all) of your visits done in conjunction with hiking the entire Grafton Loop Trail? If so, I’d be interested in having a link to any report(s) that you posted. <br /><br />And yes, surely the fifth time you visit Puzzle Mtn will be the charm and you’ll enjoy some stunning views!<br /><br />John<br />1HappyHikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242409292439585691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541721184143597039.post-59169930446390103612013-05-20T06:52:20.983-04:002013-05-20T06:52:20.983-04:00Gorgeous! John, I'm kind of jealous... I'v...Gorgeous! John, I'm kind of jealous... I've been to Puzzle Mountain four times since the Grafton Loop Trail opened, and I've never had a view other than the inside of a cloud. Maybe the fifth time will be a charm. In the meantime, at least I can enjoy your photos of it :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13645865490952231444noreply@blogger.com