| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cardigan, Firescrew, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Woodland Trail, Clark Trail, Hurricane Gap Trail, Ranger-Cabin Trail, West Ridge Trail, Mowglis Trail, Ellwell Trail, Back 80 Trail, Nature Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
No snow at low elevations but around 2200' you start to get ice and snow. The first significant ice was on the Clark trail near the junction with Hurricane Gap but that could be avoided with care so we didn't put spikes on until we got the the Ranger-Cabin trail. That was a sheet of ice. Once you got out of the woods onto the open slabs of West Ridge you could avoid the ice well enough but we left our spikes anyway. Coming down from Cardigan towards Firescrew was treacherous! Steep slabs covered in sheet ice. Even with spikes I did not feel safe. You'll want the sharpest spikes you have for that section. And there are no cairns on that part. Even though I've done the route numerous times we still had to consult GAIA several times to know which path down the steep slabs we were supposed to take. (White blazes on the rocks were mostly covered in ice.) After we got down the steep part and closer to the col with Firescrew it was much easier for the rest of the hike. We eventually took the spikes off 1/3rd of the way down Back 80. |
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 | Name: |
Rick Simmons |
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 | E-Mail: |
RickNH1@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-11-17 |
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 | 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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