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DickR · 07-30-2016, 10:43 AM

This loop can be done in either direction. It's about 5.5 miles total. A week ago I did it with two grandchildren, ages 10 and 13, and we went first to Percival, then to Morgan. As far as the ladders below the top of Morgan go, it may be better to go up them (do Morgan first, come down from Percival). With a small kid, it might be a good idea to have an adult follow closely up behind. There are three ladder sections. The bottom two are fairly straightforward, but with big gaps between rungs. At the top of the middle section, you must take a giant step to the right to get onto the bottom of the upper section, and having a good grip with hands during the transfer is important. Just above the top section is a small cave of sorts formed by some boulders that tumbled into place that way. An adult will have to take off a backpack to get through the upper exit. Above that cave there is a brief scramble over ledges, requiring care but otherwise no great problem for kids. There is an alternate route to the top of Morgan, bypassing the ladders and cave, starting from just below the ladders (with a sign).

The trail from Morgan over to Percival is 0.8 mile. There are two routes down the first 0.1 mile. One is via the ledges, the other via the caves. The caves will be more exciting for kids, while the ledges could be a problem for short kids. Both ends of the cave are easy for kids, but a tight fit for an adult, requiring removal of backpack for sure. It occurred to me that a grossly overweight adult might not fit through the lower opening easily. Inside the cave there is ample room to stand.

The Morse trail (0.4 mile) connects the Morgan and Percival trails, a little way up from the bottom of each. There is parking at the bottom of the Morgan trail, opposite the West Rattlesnake parking on Rte 113.

The pics show kids on the Morgan ladders and cave and in the Percival cave. The butt end of the left post of the upper ladder can be seen just above and to the right of the boy's head; that's the transfer that must be done with care.

07-30-2016, 10:43 AM	#19
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 735 Thanks: 4 Thanked 254 Times in 166 Posts	Morgan/Percival loop This loop can be done in either direction. It's about 5.5 miles total. A week ago I did it with two grandchildren, ages 10 and 13, and we went first to Percival, then to Morgan. As far as the ladders below the top of Morgan go, it may be better to go up them (do Morgan first, come down from Percival). With a small kid, it might be a good idea to have an adult follow closely up behind. There are three ladder sections. The bottom two are fairly straightforward, but with big gaps between rungs. At the top of the middle section, you must take a giant step to the right to get onto the bottom of the upper section, and having a good grip with hands during the transfer is important. Just above the top section is a small cave of sorts formed by some boulders that tumbled into place that way. An adult will have to take off a backpack to get through the upper exit. Above that cave there is a brief scramble over ledges, requiring care but otherwise no great problem for kids. There is an alternate route to the top of Morgan, bypassing the ladders and cave, starting from just below the ladders (with a sign). The trail from Morgan over to Percival is 0.8 mile. There are two routes down the first 0.1 mile. One is via the ledges, the other via the caves. The caves will be more exciting for kids, while the ledges could be a problem for short kids. Both ends of the cave are easy for kids, but a tight fit for an adult, requiring removal of backpack for sure. It occurred to me that a grossly overweight adult might not fit through the lower opening easily. Inside the cave there is ample room to stand. The Morse trail (0.4 mile) connects the Morgan and Percival trails, a little way up from the bottom of each. There is parking at the bottom of the Morgan trail, opposite the West Rattlesnake parking on Rte 113. The pics show kids on the Morgan ladders and cave and in the Percival cave. The butt end of the left post of the upper ladder can be seen just above and to the right of the boy's head; that's the transfer that must be done with care. Attached Images

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