After taking Erin and Alden up Jones Hill back in July, I started thinking about other hikes down that way that we could take them on. Morgan Hill State Forest is one of my favorite places outside the Adirondacks, so it is natural to want to share it. It is too far a drive from their house to be a regular destination, especially given that Alden struggles with motion sickness. However, Erin seemed willing to give it a go today, and her friend James decided to join us; apparently he loves Morgan Hill, too, so it was a great opportunity for Frankie and I to meet him.
There is a new bench feature at Spruce Pond, but otherwise the trail is much as I remembered from previous hikes here: loop around behind the pond, climb steeply, then a gentle descent followed by rolling terrain, a few stream crossings, and another climb.
Alden was very cute with James, insisting on hiking next to him the entire way. This also had the benefit of avoiding the bickering he and Frankie sometimes do over who gets to be the "leader." Frankie had his post uncontested today, except when he lagged to collect seeds or throw rocks.
At the hang glider launch spot, there was solid cloud cover and a brisk wind. We all added layers.
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| monarch caterpillar |
Poor Erin was freezing, so after hanging out and snacking, and chatting with an off-duty summit steward, we headed back down. We all warmed back up out of the wind, of course, and had to stow the extra layers back in our packs.
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| "I'm hugging a burl" |
When we got back to Spruce Pond, it sprinkled a bit, but never out and out rained. We dumped the gear in the cars and then hung out while the boys attempted to fill the pond with rocks. James even got in on the action, thrilling the boys with his rock-skipping prowess. Frankie insisted that James had tied a world record.
MapMyRide tracked the out-and-back hike as 3.1 miles round trip, with approximately 570 feet elevation gain. Another great day in the woods!
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