| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cardigan, Firescrew Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Holt Trail, Holt-Clark Cutoff, Clark Trail, Mowglis Trail, Manning Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, December 30, 2011 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Shem Valley Road to the Lodge was a fine on the way in but very slippery on downhills on the way out. Parking lot at the lodge was about half full, mostly guests from all appearances. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Black, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings frozen or, as usual, easily hopped. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One sizable blowdown on lower Manning trail. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
One canine spotted on the trails was having significant difficulty on one of the short icy scrambles on Manning trail just below the first northward viewpoint. With the amount of ice on the upper slopes of the mountain I'd guess most dogs would have trouble above 2000'. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A beautiful snowy morning on Cardigan. Boots are enough for the lower 1/3 of both Holt/Clark and Manning trails, light traction useful above, except on the ridge which is (at least today) swept mainly free of snow and without significant ice. The section of Manning just as it leaves the northeast end of the Firescrew ridge and descends over steep ledges was very icy. Crampons would not be overkill, though it is easy to bypass through the woods if necessary. Visibility was limited to a few miles all day, but temps were nice in the low to mid teens with very little wind and a light but continuous snowfall. Met just a few people on the mountain today, one fellow lonely hiker on the peak, and a family who had briefly lost the Manning trail on their way up. Hope you guys made it out okay! |
|
 | Name: |
Dave |
|
 | E-Mail: |
Xcarter19@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-12-30 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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