| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Hanging Rock, Firescrew, Mt. Cardigan, Mt. Cardigan - South Peak, Rimrock, Orange Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Manning Trail, Back 80 Trail, Elwell Trail, herd path, Mowglis Trail, Hanging Rock Spur, West Ridge Trail, Ranger Cabin Trail, South Ridge Trail, Skyland Trail, Vistamont Trail, Holt Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 23, 2019 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
At Cardigan Lodge. Not too active today. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Several brooks and drainages along this loop; none were a problem today. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Back 80: I removed two small blowdowns but there's a large tree down higher up with a flagged relocation around it. Elwell / Mowglis: various blowdowns as to be expected along these trails; none are a big issue. All other trails in generally good shape. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Probably not. Lots of ice. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Nope. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothin |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
A beautiful day for this 10-ish mi. backcountry loop over Cardigan.
With the incoming storm I'm not gonna get too detailed here but ... I barebooted to Crag Shelter and then wore spikes from there all the way around to the brook crossing on Vistamont. Significant ice at higher elevations. The summit cone of Cardigan wasn't too bad, although I descended off the summit via West Ridge Trail instead of Clark due to the gentler grade.
The steep descent from Rimrock toward Orange was pretty icy in the woods. Vistamont was untouched by human traffic and had one somewhat tricky ledge traverse where ice was lurking under the snow.
Snow depths were never more than a few inches but that will change with the storm. 4 to 8 in. is forecast so get your snowshoes ready.
Spectacular views today and I saw no one before Cardigan or after Rimrock. Chilly above tree line with the wind but not too bad thanks to the warm sun. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2019-11-23 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
