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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Cardigan, Firescrew, NH
Trails
Trails: Manning Trail, Holt Trail, Mowglis Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, September 29, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at the AMC Cardigan Lodge. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Bailey Brook is but a trickle. :( 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: All trails in good shape. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Don't take a dog up the Holt Trail. :O 
Bugs
Bugs: Nope. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing. 
 
Comments
Comments: A morning loop over Cardigan and Firescrew ascending via the Holt Trail, which I hadn't climbed in three years.

I'd forgotten how tricky this trail is at the two crux moves just below the summit, on the steepest part of the trail. I managed to avoid swinging around the boulder at the first spot by taking a well beaten herd path around to the left (look down on the ground for a "B" carved into the rock). I'm glad I did, as the footing under the boulder that you use to get yourself up and around was wet. The second scramble cannot be avoided and takes a bit of faith as well as some gymnastics to get up. Both scrambles have significant exposure and falling risk. The ledges were wet in spots and required careful and deliberate footing. At least there was no ice this time!

Once on the summit, cold winds were blasting and I huddled behind the fire tower for a snack. Tremendous views in all directions under today's clear skies. On the way over to Firescrew, I noticed that the side path to Grotto Cave has now been blazed with blue spray paint. Not sure if this was done officially or not as it looks a bit sloppy. There is also a small cairn at the trail junction. Neither the cairn nor the blazes were there when I went to the cave earlier this year.

Terrific views as always traversing Firescrew and descending the end of the ridge. Only saw one other person on Cardigan and a group of school kids climbing Firescrew. A fantastic day to be out!  
Name
Name: KenM 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kmacgray@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-09-29 
Link
Link: https:// 
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