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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Cardigan, NH
Trails
Trails: West Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, December 7, 2013
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: MT cardigan rd was open and in good shape, park road unsanded but passable 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: nothing of any significance 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: multiple very wet areas turned to solid ice - see Comments below and see photos at TR link 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: none 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: This is a duplicate of my post on VFTT.

At trailhead elevation, barely a dusting of snow.

Roads were in excellent shape. Dirt section of Cardigan Mtn Rd was sanded and quite safe for even a subcompact car; park entrance road was unsanded but still passable.

This trail is prone to thick ice in several spots, and there was plenty of it already. Many previous feet meant the ice was visible despite a dusting of powder on top.

Light traction is helpful but not really sufficient; the major strategy for dealing with the ice is to bypass the worst sections. Crampons would not be very practical due to lack of snow (frequent rocks and roots). Snow depth always under an inch.

Summit cone almost completely bare. A couple of inches of snow drifted into cracks, very little rime or ice.

Wind on summit very stiff, as expected.

Groton wind turbines quite visible, but I found them pleasant to look at. Seemed like less of a disturbance than the ski slopes in the other direction.

Summary: short but often icy route. Light traction recommended, poles helpful.

Conditions likely changed Sunday night...  
Name
Name: nartreb 
E-Mail
E-Mail: dalbeck@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2013-12-11 
Link
Link: https://davidalbeck.com/photos/2013/cardigan/ 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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