Morgan Hill Long Loop

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Morgan Hill State Forest

North Country Trail in CNY

Morgan Hill State Forest

Labrador Hollow Unique Area

Morgan Hill Long Loop

HIGHLIGHTS: Shackham Pond, Old Family Cemetery, Hemlock Glen, Hemlock Lean-To, Footbridge over Shackham Brook, Labrador Hollow Unique Area, Tinker Falls, Jones Hill scenic vista (see picture above), Spruce Pond and the North Country National Scenic Trail.

DIRECTIONS: From Tully, NY 80 EAST past Apulia. Turn right on Bailey Rd, then veer right on Shackham Rd. Just past the 4 way junction of a seasonal dirt road, reach the Shackham Pond Trailhead on Shackham Rd. Park on the side of the road. Start your hike by heading toward Shackham Pond.

HIKE NOTES: This 11.9 mile loop hike utilizes 2.9 miles of seasonal dirt roads and nine miles of the North Country Trail. Most of this hike is in Morgan Hill State Forest, however a part of the hike takes you into Labrador Hollow Unique Area and a short portion over private property.

This loop hike is moderate to strenuous and has a total elevation change of over 2200 feet. Give yourself at least six to eight hours to complete this hike, depending on your speed and how much time you want to spend at each of the scenic spots along the way.
HIKE DESCRIPTION: Starting at the Shackham Pond trailhead, hiking east soon takes you past Shackham Pond and a side trail that leads to an old 1840's family grave site. Soon your crossing seasonal dirt Onondaga One Road and heading over a newer section of the NCT built in 2007. After winding through the woods you'll soon pass a section of the forest that was logged in 2006-07 before reaching seasonal dirt Rawley Hill Road.

Old family cemetery near Shackham Pond

Turn right and follow the seasonal dirt road for the next 2.9 miles. Shortly there is an intersection and you'll continue straight ahead, but the road is now called Morgan Hill Road. In 1.3 miles you'll enter Cortland County (no markers or signs). In another 1.3 miles you will reach the NCT crossing of Morgan Hill Road.

Hemlock Glen Lean To

From here you'll turn right and follow the NCT's blue blazes downhill into scenic Hemlock Glen. Soon you'll cross Hemlock Brook and see Hemlock Lean-To. The trail continues to descend to Shackham Brook and a fantastic footbridge built in 2007 by the Onondaga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Now you'll ascend and cross Shackham Road (paved). The trail soon passes a trail register and continues it's ascent.

Bridge over Shackham Brook

The trail reaches Labrador Hollow Unique Area and begins a steep descent toward the top of Tinker Falls, only to begin another steep ascent up Jones Hill. The trail follows the ridgeline and there are views to your left through the trees every so often. Then you reach an opening and the views are spectacular. This is the "hang glider spot" and is a very popular spot, so don't expect to be alone.

Jones Hill vista

From here the trail leaves the unique area and enters private property for a short time before reentering Morgan Hill State Forest. The trail has another steep descent as it makes its way toward Spruce Pond. Another popular location for fishing and picnics. This pond is one of the most scenic in Onondaga County. The trail skirts the pond and passes a North Country Trail kiosk.

Spruce Pond

The trail crosses a seasonal dirt road, descends to a small creek before ascending again, only to begin another descent toward Shackham Road and the end of this loop hike. This section of the trail is another of the newer sections of the NCT that was finished in 2007. Below there is a topo map and a description of key points along this loop hike.

The beauty of Spruce Pond in October

Shackham Pond from along the North Country Trail

Key points of the Morgan Hill Long Loop Hike (starting at Shackham Pond Trailhead)

Mile	Elevation	Description
0.0	1538 ft	Head east on the North Country Trail & follow blue blazes. Soon pass Shackham Pond on your left and pass right by an old cemetery.
0.7	1502 ft	Cross seasonal dirt Onondaga One Rd. Continue on NCT (blue blazes)
1.9	1540 ft	Reach seasonal dirt Rowley Hill Rd, turn right & follow road uphill.
2.2	1646 ft	Reach 3-way intersection. Continue straight (now on seasonal dirt Morgan Hill Rd)
3.5	1990 ft	Enter Cortland County, road bends to the right.
4.1	1937 ft	Pass season dirt Eaton Hill Rd on your left. Continue straight.
4.8	1928 ft	Reach North Country Trail crossing. Turn right on NCT & follow blue blazes.
5.1	1804 ft	Enter Ravine, cross Hemlock Brook, soon follow old woods road (blue blazes).
5.6	1571 ft	Cross Hemlock Brook, then reach side trail on right 150 ft to Hemlock Lean-To.
6.4	1290 ft	Cross Shackham Brook on footbridge.
6.5	1355 ft	Cross Shackham Rd (early exit option - turn right 1.5 miles to vehicle)
7.1	1831 ft	Trail begins to level after steep ascent.
7.7	1732 ft	Enter Labrador Hollow Unique Area. Begin steep descent.
7.9	1363 ft	Reach the top ledge/rim of Tinker Falls. Begin steep ascent.
8.3	1714 ft	Reach old dirt road, turn right and follow BLUE BLAZES.
8.6	1869 ft	Leave dirt road, turn right following NCT (BLUE BLAZES).
8.7	1901 ft	Cross old dirt road.
8.9	1903 ft	Reach opening with views to west (hang glider spot).
9.1	1960 ft	Pass near summit of Jones Hill. Now hiking on B&B Lumber Private Property.
9.5	1746 ft	Cross logging road & small stream.
9.9	1907 ft	Re-Enter Morgan Hill State Forest.
10.3	1687 ft	Reach North Country Trail Kiosk & Spruce Pond.
10.5	1686 ft	Cross old jeep road.
11.1	1575 ft	Cross small stream.
11.6	1724 ft	Reach a high point, then begin descent to Shackham Road.
11.9	1538 ft	Reach Shackham Rd and end of loop hike.

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Panoramic Picture at top is from the Jones Hill vista