| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cardigan, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Orange Cove Trail, Mowglis Trail, bushwhack, Hanging Rock Spur, Grotto Cave Spur, Manning Trail, Holt Trail, Nature Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 1, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I did not realize JUST how long this car spot would be...45min!! It doesn't look doable (at least in most cars) to drive through Knowles Hill Rd to Alexandria Four Corners. I think there was a way to go that would have been via dirt roads that was a shorter distance but would have taken longer. We kept one car at the AMC Cardigan Lodge after our first hike, then drove over to New Colony Rd to begin this one. New Colony Rd was in fine shape though dirt and any ca should be able to make it to the little parking area just before the gate. Mid clearance cars should be able to go further up as well but for redlining, you need to start at the gate anyway. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I don't recall much more than some easy stepovers |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The spur down to Cilley Cave and parts of Grotto Cave Spur may not be appropriate for dogs. The other trails can have some very steep ledge but I imagine most hiking dogs would probably be okay on Manning and Mowglis. |
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 | Bugs: |
Didn't reapply bug spray and I don't think we were terribly bothered actually. There were deer flies and black flies but no mosquitos. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
No sign, blowdowns, or blazing on Orange Cove Trail. Mowglis Trail is blazed in white and I don't recall much more than some easy stepovers. Manning Trail is blazed in yellow and I don't recall any blowdowns. The only spur that was (informally) blazed was Grotto Cave Spur which was marked with faded blue. I don't recall the frequency on any of them but will say that there were spots on Manning and Mowglis Trail along the ledge where we weren't entirely sure which way to go and got a little turned around. I don't think any of the trails were terribly overgrown except for the spur to Grotto Cave which was almost unfollowable at times.
Second hike of the day. Myself and one other from our group of five earlier on Holt Trail, drove over to New Colony Rd and hiked: Orange Cove Trail --> Mowglis Trail --> OAB on Cilley Cave Spur --> Mowglis Trail --> OAB on Hanging Rock Spur --> Mowglis Trail to summit of Cardigan --> Mowglis Trail to --> OAB on Grotto Cave Spur --> Mowglis Trail --> Manning Trail --> Nature Trail.
Orange Cove Trail, which was nothing more than a road that passes a beaver pond, was very gentle. I thought Mowglis Trail was very nice and I absolutely loved the sections that went over the ledge. Absolutely beautiful. The Cilley Cave Spur has an obscure start but is as people describe it and shouldn't be difficult at all for experienced hikers to follow. Great view and you can see your next spur, Hanging Rock, from here. Turn left to descend to the cave. The path descending to the cave soon becomes obvious. There is fixed rope to descend which is incredibly helpful as the footing is entirely eroded and loose and it is very steep. That being said, this is nothing like a cliff and I don't think the fall risk is all that great. Not something for those new to hiking, with knee problems, or mobility problems to do necessarily, but most experienced hikers will not be more than slightly uncomfortable descending this ;) Crag Shelter was interesting as it had two layers you could sleep on but, in my friend's words, was very "ugly".
By the time we reached the summit of Cardigan, it was just past 6:30pm and we nearly had it to ourselves! We descended back down to the Grotto Cave Spur which was not signed but has a blue blaze marking its start on the ledge which was very helpful. Unlike the Cilley Cave Spur, I found this spur to be a much larger PITA. First off, thank goodness it is now blazed (the guidebook says that it's not) as it would otherwise be exceptionally difficult to follow at times. Watch for the faded blue blaze carefully. At one point, most of the way down, a blowdown across a ledge, blocks the view of the footpath. Go down the ledge, then bank a right. Once firmly below the ledge, the herd path is incredibly overgrown making it very difficult to follow. Follow your nose and look for blazes. You'll reach the "smaller boulder cave" first and likely think you're finally done but if you're redlining, follow the blaze through the cave and a VERY tight spot out the other side and push through more brush on a nearly indiscernible footpath to Grotto Cave. Personally, between Cilley Cave Spur and Grotto Cave Spur, I think Grotto would be a significantly better contender to leave out of the next guidebook (not that anybody asked lol). The cave isn't as cool, it's a PITA to get too, and is also a bit scrambly like Cilley Cave Spur though not as bad/in a different way.
Manning Trail was steep but a pleasant enough and reasonable descent. For redlining purposes, we took the slightly longer Nature Trail out to the car. Overall, trails are dry bu there's still some very soft mud pits in a spot or two at least. This is a universally accessible trail so is very good walking! Gaia had us at about 7.7mi, 1600ft of gain, 4hr20min. Cut at least 20min, probably more like 30-40min off if not doing Grotto Cave Spur... |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-06-03 |
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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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