NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Cardigan (attempt), Mt. Cardigan (South Peak), NH
Trails
Trails: Holt Trail, Holt-Clark Cutoff (Cathedral Forest Trail), Clark Trail, Hurricane Gap Trail, South Ridge Trail, Ranger Cabin Trail, West Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, January 6, 2012
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of parking at the AMC Cardigan Lodge. Shem Valley Road (the Class VI dirt road that approaches the lodge) is sanded, but the few extra inches of snow from this morning and ice have made the road a bit slick -- drive with care. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Ice - Blue 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All crossings are frozen over. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails are in good shape. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: No running water for pooches, unfortunately -- everything is frozen. 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: In general, the trails are completely ice covered with a couple of inches of new powder on top -- light traction (Microspikes) work fine up to just below PJ Ledge, and then crampons are preferred from there to the summit, especially for coming down.



Once on the ledges, trail alternates between a couple of inches of ice to areas of massive ice floes -- all hidden by the new powder. There is no exposed rock for traction -- everything is covered in ice.



Made it to within about 0.3 miles of summit via West Ridge Trail, but turned around when the ice underfoot began to peel off the ledges on the steep sections and became unstable. Headed over to South Peak later -- nice undercast just below.  
Name
Name: Pancks and Tesco Heaney 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2012-01-06 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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