| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cardigan, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Manning Trail, Holt Trail, Holt-Clark Cutoff, Clark Trail, West Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at lot for AMC Cardigan Lodge |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, (Aggressive) Light Traction or Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Not an issue |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One duck-under leaner (Silky saw) just east of intersection of Holt-Clark Cutoff and Clark Trail |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Perfect early day on Mt. Cardigan.
The trail up to the ranger cabin was a snowshoe track of unconsolidated crust and powder, with a few inches of new snow on top. Tried the quick/easy route of light traction at first, but it wasn't working -- there wasn't any grip/purchase on the trail, and we were leaving snow divots everywhere and moving too slowly. We put snowshoes on, and were able to pick up our pace.
Fast-moving conditions for snowshoes up to the cabin; after that, aggressive light traction or traction -- quite a bit of thick ice and crust -- up the filled-in left gully, to the West Ridge Trail. From there, traction was really helpful, as much of the summit cone is covered in an inch or two of thick ice.
Blustery winds (like usual) and blowing snow up top -- it's winter. |
|
 | Name: |
Pancks and Tesco Heaney |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-01-31 |
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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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