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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Cardigan, NH
Trails
Trails: Access road, West Ridge Trail, Skyline Trail, South Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, January 19, 2025
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: The small lot was full opposite the gate but parking was available on the access road. The road was sanded and parked down good and bad adequate traction with AWD  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: A few small streams. All bigger flows were frozen solid 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: My Aussie had no issues even with the tricky South Ridge descent. Be mindful of the drift pockets once above tree line as a couple caught him off guard and were deep. Don’t forget the paw balm before going out.  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: I was highly impressed by this hike. Just was my first winter hike this year, and my first with a dog. The conditions for the morning were perfect. Clear skies, elevated could ceiling and fairly calm winds. I used spikes all the way up. Swapped to snowshoes just before tree line as there are a few deeper drifted areas. I also wanted to try the shoes as I just got them. The Skyline trail was a happy accident, as I missed the South Ridge trail coming down from the fire tower. So backtracked a little on the West Ridge trail to use Skyline to get back to the South Ridge. Very cool trail with not much traffic so the snow was softer. South Ridge descent was tricky, especially after realizing it left set of spikes was on upside down! West Ridge was a nice steady climb up with good traction with the spikes. Overall it was a perfect outing in perfect weather.  
Name
Name: JIM GOSSELIN 
E-Mail
E-Mail: jagoss45@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2025-01-20 
Link
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.

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