Difficulty: Easy
Round-trip Distance: 1.70 miles
Trail Markings: Yellow Rectangles
Trail Directions:
Park across the street in the Town of Alton’s Mike Burke Forest. To reach the Evelyn H. & Albert D. Morse, Sr. Preserve from the parking lot, cross Avery Hill Road and walk to the right about 200 feet to the large “Evelyn H. & Albert D. Morse, Sr. Preserve” property sign.
This loop trail begins at the entrance to the Evelyn H. & Albert D. Morse, Sr. Preserve on Avery Hill Road. Walk in the entrance road and follow the yellow blazes along the old woods roads that are the Arlene Frances Morse Trail. After a little less than a half mile, the trail becomes a footpath and climbs more steeply through open scrub habitat. You will soon notice a trail junction, which marks the beginning of the Dana and Arthur Morse Loop Trail. From here, you can go either way around the 0.7 mile loop. If you continue straight (left fork), you will climb quickly and steeply to the summit of Pine Mountain, where there are sweeping views of Lake Winnipesauke and the Belknap Mountains. Look for rock cairns to guide you through the open area of blueberry barrens at the summit. A rock cairn marks the spot where the trail re-enters the woods on the eastern side of the barrens. From here, it follows an old stone wall and then descends through the forest back into fields, with more beautiful views to the west, before re-joining the Arlene Frances Morse Trail. Bear left here and retrace your steps back to the property entrance.
"Help us care for this property by following these guidelines during your visit:
- This property is open dawn to dusk
- Carry out all trash
- Dogs must remain under control and owners must pack out all dog waste
- No motorized wheeled vehicles
- No camping
- No campfires
- Hunting and fishing are allowed
Leave natural and cultural features undisturbed”