2,212 ft | Squam | 1 route
As of October 16, 2026
Trail conditions on Mount Percival are currently rated Moderate. At 8:40 PM ET it was 52°F at the summit (2,212 ft), feeling like 47°F, with W winds at 11 mph. The listed route, Morgan and Percival Loop, is a 5.0-mile loop with 1,857 ft of elevation gain, taking about 2h 9m. See the hour-by-hour Mount Percival weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Mount Percival Trail (1.8 mi) ·
Feels like 47°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Mount Percival has no above-treeline exposure, but fall conditions bring wet rock, leaf-covered trail, and a sharp cold snap with lows in the upper 20s and a high near 38°F on Saturday. Recent rain plus freezing overnight temperatures raise the risk of slick rock and icy patches on the scrambles, caves, and ladders. Daylight is limited to about 11 hours, so start early and plan to be off the trail well before sunset.
Trailhead and summit are only about 200 ft apart, so temperatures are nearly identical, though winds are slightly stronger at the summit with wind chill near 26°F. The freezing level is far above the peak, but overnight lows in the upper 20s mean frost and ice can persist on shaded rock and ladders into the morning, so start with a warm layer you can shed once moving.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday late morning through mid-afternoon, after overnight freezing temperatures have eased and rock has had time to dry; Saturday is colder (high near 38°F) with possible ice, so wait until midday if hiking then
Last synthesized Oct 16, 8:40 PM ET
Planning a hike here this week?
Trailblazer adds the full 7-day summit forecast, the best day to go for every peak, and conditions for each route up.
Trail: Mt. Morgan Trail, Morse Trail, Mt. Percival Trail, Crawford-Ridgepole Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“My daughter and I greatly enjoyed this classic loop hike in the Squam Lake region; dry rocks and partly cloudy skies provided optimal conditions to negotiate the caves, ladders, and sections of scrambling near the summits of Percival and Morgan. Those mosquitoes were a major incentive to keep the pace up below treeline, especially on wet sections of the trail. There were minor areas of muddy trail on the lower half of the Mt. Morgan descent, with just enough protruding or partially protruding rocks to avoid wet feet (with balance and caution). The early start meant we didn't see any other hikers until just before the caves/cliffs split below Mt. Percival. There were plenty more enjoying the day by the time we came down from Mt. Morgan. Full details on Unnecessary Climb!”
Trail: Mt. Morgan Trail, Crawford-Ridgepole Trail, Mt. Percival Trail
Conditions: Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
Trail: Eastman Trail, Doublehead Trail, Crawford-Ridgepole Trail, Mt. Percival Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“great loop went counter-clockwise / could have gone either direction”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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27°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 27°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
10h 52m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 5:56 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Rising above the southern shore of Squam Lake in central New Hampshire, this 2,212-foot summit offers a rewarding outing well suited to hikers of varying experience levels. Mount Percival is part of the Squam Range, a compact but scenic chain that provides surprisingly expansive views for its modest elevation. The highlight of the hike is a series of open ledges near the summit that deliver panoramic vistas of Squam Lake and the surrounding hills, making it a favorite for those seeking lake scenery without a strenuous alpine climb. The standard loop trail via the Percival and Morgan trails adds interest through a short cave scramble, giving the route a memorable, adventurous character. As a 52 With A View peak, it rewards hikers with quality scenery relative to effort, making it an excellent choice for those working through that list.
Elevation
2,212 ft
Range
Squam
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
43.8096, -71.5571
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
2 incidents on file · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
38-year-old female from Derry, NH
Kathryn Shaw, 38, slipped on the Mt. Percival Trail in Campton and injured her ankle approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead. She was unable to walk and her brother called 911. Rescuers carried her out in a litter and she was transported to Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth.
21-year-old female from Wolfeboro, NH
On December 22, 2023, Allison Bean, 21, experienced a medical condition while hiking the Crawford Ridgepole Trail on Mt. Percival and called 911 at 4:28 p.m. EMS personnel assessed and treated her on the Mt. Percival Trail, and she was assisted approximately 0.5 miles to a rescue UTV. She was transported to the trailhead and then driven by her father to a local hospital for further evaluation.