| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Firescrew, Mt. Cardigan, Mt. Cardigan -- South Peak, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Manning Trail, Clark Trail, South Ridge Trail, bushwack, Hurricane Gap Trail, Woodland Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Massive buttloads of parking at the AMC Cardigan Lodge. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nothing of note. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Nothing, really -- see notes, below. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
None -- breeze kept 'em away. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
A fine last time up this loop, before heading back overseas -- up to Firescrew, over to Cardigan, over to South Peak and down the old short-cut trail from there (in better shape now than before it was decommssioned years ago?) to the Hurricane Gap Trail (for blueberries!), and then down by a some less-popular trails to avoid the muddy, rutty, eroded-ness of the most-oft used trails.
Oddly enough, after over 20 years of doing the Manning Trail, it's not in much worse shape. Some fine blowdowns that folks have herd-pathed around (and to keep trail runners frosty), and a need for some blaze refreshes above the steeps. We'll miss you.
Mowglis Trail is in excellent shape -- blazes look relatively new/fresh, and this was helpful for following on the ledges. Clark Trail from summit and South Ridge Trail were the same -- in good shape, and easy to follow. Blueberry-laden bushwack from South Peak has more cairns now than we recall last time we did this, many years ago. Hurricane Gap Trail is not too bad -- eroded as always, but at least it's open, still, to the public (the AMC several years ago proposed closing this to everyone but Hi-Cabin renters before a bit of public pushback). Clark Trail up the the Holt-Clark Cutoff is as wide and eroded as ever, but once past Holt-Clark Cutoff, it's a lovely trail -- the footbed magically improves, and it's a quiet respite from everyone using Holt-Clark Cutoff. This trail is in fine shape, with recent blowdown removal, making it completely obstacle-free. Woodland Trail back to the AMC lot is...well, you can read our report from a day ago; still the same!
Very happy to see the old (now replaced) Mowglis trail sign still propped up at the intersection of the Manning and Mowglis Trails -- in case you wonder what the signage there used to look like (and we remember when this WAS the sign at the intersection...and had some paint on it?).
Saw a few people on Mt. Cardigan, and a couple heading up Clark Trail not too far from PJ Ledge, but then -- absolutely no one. The couple of busy trails are busy, and the rest are not.
Blueberries are to die for on South Peak. NOM NOM NOM! |
|
 | Name: |
Pancks and Tesco Heaney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-07-22 |
|
 | 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. |
|
