Publications

AMC Outdoors, April 2003

The Grafton Loop Trail Coalition formed in the fall of 1994. Stewart, Demrow, Fake, and Spencer were joined by Henry Whittemore of HTRG, Paul Johnson of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC), and Mike Cooper, an independent trail designer and contractor.

"We [Outward Bound] were really behind the trail," explains Fake. "Our Outward Bound groups had been using the Mahoosucs pretty intensely for at least 20 years. We really wanted to take an active role in developing some alternatives."

"We were seeing such a huge spike in the amount of use in the Mahoosucs," Demrow agrees. "Groups were looking for new places to hike — and we were looking for new places to build trail. The Grafton Loop would provide new backpacking opportunities while taking pressure off the Mahoosucs."

"First we had to get the approval of the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC)," recalls Johnson. "They had to consider the... trail's impact, to see if it was in the best interest of the AT." Would the loop attract even more hikers, or would it disperse use, thereby lessening impact? The ATC came to see the loop as the coalition did — as a way of diverting heavy use from the AT — and, according to Johnson, "thought the loop was a great deal."

The coalition's real work was now about to begin: They had to design the trail. Various landowners had to be contacted, have their concerns addressed, and consent to an easement. Questions began to swirl like clouds on Goose Eye Mountain: Who would build the trail? Who would maintain it? And who would finance it?

Coordinating these aspects of the job would be Jerry Bley. Bley had established himself as a land-use consultant and had worked extensively with land trusts, nonprofit organizations, and the state of Maine. "Grafton became my first major trail project," says Bley. "I became responsible for bringing in the money."

Bley quickly succeeded in securing initial funding. The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, which derives its revenue from lottery sales, awarded the coalition a planning grant of $16,000, along with subsequent monies for construction. However, the bulk of the coalition's funding came from the Maine Recreation Trails Program, which awards grants from a pool of federal dollars collected from gas taxes and given back to states. This program had fueled the coalition with more than $100,000 as of last year.

The AMC and several foundations also provided funding, nearly $200,000 so far, Bley reports. But before you think that's a lot of money for 34 miles of new trail, consider this: The U.S. Forest Service is planning to spend the same amount for a half-mile relocation of the AT in Vermont, reports the Associated Press.

The coalition planned to keep costs down by using volunteer labor and keeping construction materials to a minimum. The AMC and MATC would provide volunteer trail crews. And as far as material costs, "We've only spent about $10,000 so far," says Bley. "Mostly it's been for bog bridges and waterbars." Beyond construction, funds are used to pay professional trail crew, Bley, and Cooper, as well as administrative costs.