An amazing 1.55 mile section of the North Country Trail located within Hemlock Glen in Morgan Hill State Forest.  This hike takes you along Hemlock Glen as you ascend up Morgan Hill and is one of the best of the North Country National Scenic Trail in New York.  This hike features Hemlock Glen, numerous small waterfalls, Hemlock Lean To and Shackham Brook.

This hike begins at Shackham Road and you'll descend into a camping area next to Shackham Brook.  The brook is crossed on a footbridge and the trail crosses a small stream before it begins to ascend.  The trail turns away from Shackham Brook and now your entering the numerous small waterfalls of the scenic Hemlock Glen, which will be on your right as you ascend.

At 0.8 miles you reach Hemlock Lean To on your left.  A great place to stop and take a break.  You now have an option to shorten your hike and turn around here or continue on as you begin a steeper ascent up Morgan Hill toward Morgan Hill Road.  From the lean to you'll cross Hemlock Brook and then steeply ascend.  The trail briefly follows an old woods road before turning off the old road and then crossing Hemlock Brook one last time in a ravine.

The trail makes its last push toward the seasonal dirt Morgan Hill Road after 1.55 miles of hiking.  Simply retrace your steps back to Shackham Road to complete this 3.1 mile moderate hike in Morgan Hill State Forest.  There is an elevation gain of over 640 feet for this hike.

Directions:  From Apulia, take NY 91 south past the Tinker Falls parking area and then turn left on Shackham Road.  Drive about 0.5 miles to the crossing of the North Country Trail.  This is the "southern" trailhead of the two NCT crossings of Shackham Road.  There is some parking on the east shoulder of the road (beware of the ditch on the west side of the road).  The GPS coordinates of this trailhead are N42 46.183 W76 01.148 for those who have a GPS devise in their vehicle.

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Pictures from along the North Country Trail

Bridge over Shackham Brook

Some of the waterfalls along Hemlock Brook

Hemlock Lean To