Morgan-Percival, May 10, 2009

We will take Mount Morgan Trail to the summit of Mount Morgan (2220') - with views of Squam and Winnipesaukee and mountain views. We will do a loop over to Mount Percival (2212').

Elevation gain including both peaks is 1575 feet.
The loop is 5.5 miles and should take 4+ hours.

There are a set of ladders and a couple caves on the hike - all these are optional and easily bypassed.

NEXT HIKE: May 10, Morgan-Percival
MEETING SPOTS: Exit 14 off of Rt. 93, LL Bean/Hannaford side, Concord at 8:00 a.m.
Mobile station in Wakefield (junction of Rt. 16 and 109) at 8:15 a.m.
Morgan Trailhead at 9:00 a.m
TRAILHEAD: From I-93, take Exit 24 onto US Rt. 3 South for about 4.6 miles to Holderness. Turn left onto NH Rt. 113 and continue about 5.6 miles to the trailhead on the left. If you miss the Morgan Trailhead parking lot, you will end up at the Percival trailhead 1/8 mile down the road instead. Hopefully everyone will be out buying flowers for Mother's Day and we can scoop up some spots. FYI: across the street is a parking lot for Rattlesnake Mountain.
HIKE LEADER: Diane King

On Sunday, May 10th, seven dayhikers met at the Rattlesnake trailhead across from the Morgan Trailhead on Route 113 as the Morgan Trailhead was closed. There was a brisk wind which whisked away the annoying spring bugs typically encountered. We ventured up Morgan Trail.

The group split up at the cliffs just beneath the summit with several eagerly scaling the ladders and waving to those below. Some of us had to remain below to get pictures (or so our version goes). We didn't linger long on Morgan due to the wind and chilly air but caught some nice views.

We took our lunch break on Mount Percival where it was more protected. There, we attended with first-aid to the dreadful blisters one member suffered which are often imposed when breaking in new boots. Okay, so it was one tiny blister barely visible, but those are the ones that can turn into big ones that last and last.

We descended Percival and bypassed exploration of the cave. Then Diana, the only mom present, received a surprise call from her daughter in Switzerland wishing her a happy Mother's Day. We were all impressed with the cell service as well as her thoughtful daughter!

We completed the hike in about four hours and headed into Holderness to a local pub.

Members may see more photos in our online photo album.