Morrill Ledge, Peru

A popular local hike, Morrill Ledges offers a relatively easy climb to great views of nearby peaks. The 1,183-foot summit is open with decent vistas, but I really loved the scene from the ledges slightly east of the summit. The official trail (well blazed in white) does not appear to extend to these ledges, though you can see a herd path.

The trail is really well maintained (perhaps by the property owner?). There is a handwritten sign at the small parking area on Valley Road, a dirt road. From the parking area, the trail begins on the snowmobile track but quickly, in about 50 feet, diverts left, into the forest, and runs parallel with the track for about a quarter mile, before it re-crosses the track and continues up the mountain. From here, the trail ascends gradually, getting steeper at the top.

At about 0.9 miles, and a quarter-mile from the summit, the trail intersects with an “ALT” alternative trail on the right that wraps around to make a short loop below the summit. I found the ALT trail steeper than the main trail, with two tricky sections that the trail builder has equipped with helpful ropes.

Directions: From downtown Dixfield, take North Main Street across the bridge. Continue straight at the intersection onto Main Street. Go 0.6 miles to Ridge Road, take a left. Go about 2.5 miles to the intersection with Valley Road. Take a left and the road will transition from pavement to dirt. The small parking lot will be on the left in about 0.8 miles.