| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Morgan, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Cascade Trail, Crawford-Ridgepole Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked near Perch Pond/Perch Pond Road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Minor at current levels |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Cascade Trail may or may not be abandoned...there are some stepovers, however old blazes remain. Also a bit brushy in places. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Minimal |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Finally decided to check out the quasi-abandoned 'back side' approach to Mt. Morgan.
For the ascent, I used the southern branch of the trail, which starts near the southern shore of Perch Pond (there's an old wooden arrow on a tree at the start of an overgrown logging road). I didn't find this approach to be particularly rewarding, especially with the woods roads being overgrown. It is blue blazed and meets the other approach above the pond.
From there, there were a few decent stretches, a few overgrown stretches, and lots of old logging road crossings. I had to keep my eyes out to make sure I stayed on trail. While there were a few muddy areas, they were short lived and not bad in current conditions. The trail junction with the Crawford Ridgepole is pretty obvious, as there is a yellow arrow pointing hikers to stay on the latter.
The Crawford Ridgepole section had some nice foliage, though unfortunately the summit was in fog. Also occasional wet trail from the conditions.
For the descent, I retraced my steps, then took the northern branch of the trail, which I found to be dramatically better (not as overgrown, passes by the northern shore of the pond, and the foliage was good). If I hike this trail again, I will likely do it from this side. To get to this side, drive northbound past the pond, over the height of land, then look for a gate on a side road soon thereafter (room for maybe 2-3 cars to park near the gate). If going up this approach, continue past the pond, then look for a place where an older logging road bears uphill right (and look for a faded blue blaze).
In terms of distances, it was about 2.05 miles from road to the Crawford Ridgepole via the southern trailhead and about 2.2 miles via the northern trailhead. From the junction with the Crawford Ridgepole Trail to the lower Mt. Morgan Trail junction, about 0.4 miles. So, about 3 miles to the highpoint via the southern trailhead and about 3.1-3.2 via the northern trailhead. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-10-01 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/NewHampshire/mtmorgan-2014-1001.php |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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