| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cardigan, Firescrew, Welton Falls, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Manning Trail, Holt Trail, Mowglis Trail, Lower Manning Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, September 15, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The lots at AMC Cardigan Lodge were about 80% full at 11am on this nice day. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
It hadn't rained in a week, so most of the streambeds were dry or nearly so. The largest crossing was of Clark Brook on Lower Manning Trail, but that too was easy stepping across rocks. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The upper part of Holt Trail is not suitable for dogs. The rest is fine. |
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 | Bugs: |
Almost none. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The official trails are all well marked and easy to follow.
From AMC Cardigan Lodge, we went clockwise (up Holt, down Manning). At the end we did an out-and-back to Welton Falls via Lower Manning Trail.
The trails were very dry except for tiny avoidable patches of mud on Lower Manning Trail. The upper part of Holt Trail should not be attempted when wet.
We did an out-and-back to Grotto Cave along the path shown on the AMC map. This bushwhack starts at a cairn about 0.2 mi north of Mt. Cardigan on Mowglis Trail, and descends east. Parts of the path are marked with blue blazes - once in the forest, it is not too hard to follow. A short way after descending a steep slab, it turns left (to the north). After passing through a narrow tunnel, you will see the cave ahead and above (it's really more of an overhang than a cave). The path is a little overgrown and requires some minor scrambling.
Even in this time of low water, Welton Falls was very much worth visiting, with its cliffs and interesting rock formations, and it still had a significant flow of water. |
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 | Name: |
mathbp |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-09-17 |
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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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