Back 80 Trail
Near Mowglis Mountain · New Hampshire
Back 80 Trail is a trail in southern and western New Hampshire, climbing about 1,150 ft from Cardigan Lodge to the Mowglis Trail junction.
Map length
2.8 mi
Climb from the low end
1,146 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
1 h 58 min / 1 h 26 min
High point
2,475 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
1,268 ft/mi
Stream crossings
3 (3 fords)
Low point
1,393 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
Back 80 Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Cardigan Lodge (the lower end) to Mowglis Trail junction.
- 0.0Cardigan Lodge
- 0.0Campsite and Campsite
- 0.2Fords a stream
- 0.3Junction with Whitney Way
- 0.4Fords a stream
- 0.4Fords a stream
- 0.8Junction with Back 80 Loop
- 1.5beaver pond
- 2.8Junction with Mowglis Trail
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Whitney Way junction
0.35 mi (total 0.35) · ↑213 ↓0 ft · 17 min / 11 min
To Back 80 Loop junction
0.43 mi (total 0.78) · ↑128 ↓0 ft · 17 min / 13 min
To Mowglis Trail junction
1.99 mi (total 2.77) · ↑803 ↓102 ft · 1 h 24 min / 1 h 3 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardigan Lodge | Whitney Way junction | 0.35 | 0.35 | 213 / 0 ft | 17 min / 11 min |
| Whitney Way junction | Back 80 Loop junction | 0.43 | 0.78 | 128 / 0 ft | 17 min / 13 min |
| Back 80 Loop junction | Mowglis Trail junction | 1.99 | 2.77 | 803 / 102 ft | 1 h 24 min / 1 h 3 min |
↑ walking from Cardigan Lodge; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Cardigan Lodge
0.1 mi walk to the start of the trail
Off Shem Valley Road
Fall weekends: Full in 1 of 2 reports; others found space as late as 8:30 am.
Weekdays (all seasons): Had space in all 4 reports, as late as 8:45 am.
Latest report, Sat, Oct 3: Filling up, then overflowing.
Connecting trails
Packing for fall? The fall gear guide has the full list.
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.