I thought I'd offer a weekday hike/activity for a change, as my weekends are too often booked. Hopefully, it will be the first in a series, if there's interest. Puzzle Mountain is a favorite hike, with great views of Grafton Notch State Park(pic is from about 2/3rds the way up Puzzle), alpine gardens, nice rock formations, ledges, and even a few small caves. It's a good "starter" hike, if you haven't gotten your boots wet yet this season, but can be steep in places. It's about 6.2 miles round trip, but with an option for another 2 mile loop addition at the top, if desired. MTN Elevation is 3100ft, not sure about the gain. Maybe a post hike beer at Sunday River Brewing Co, too? This will be a fair weather hike, so if you RSVP, leave some contact info in case of last minute weather cancellation. Let me know if there are any questions. Cheers.

Meet at the "GRAFTON LOOP HIKING TRAILS" parking lot, on RT 26 in North Newry, ME at 10am. The sign also says "STEWART FAMILY / Mahoosic Land Trust" (it does NOT say Puzzle Mtn). It IS NOT located in GRAFTON NOTCH STATE PARK, but just south of the park proper. FROM BETHEL, ME take RTS 2/5/26 north, driving straight PAST the SUNDAY RIVER SKI resort access road. About 5 miles north of Bethel, you will take a LEFT, continuuing on RT 26 to NEWRY, following the signs for GRAFTON NOTCH STATE PARK. Continue 4 miles north on RT 26, the trail head parking lot is on the RIGHT, not far after the  red "Puzzle Mtn Pie Lady/Bakery" stand. Again, if you hit the entrance to Grafton Notch State Park, you've gone TOO FAR. There's usually plenty of parking, but carpooling is always encouraged, if possible.