| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Firescrew, Cardigan, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Manning, Mowglis, Clark, Cathedral Forest, Holt |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, January 22, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Easy parking at Cardigan Lodge; no one there when I got there at about 8:45 am |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All easy step-overs |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
About 5 blowdowns on Manning; two big ones within first half mile; can go around, over or under all without difficulty |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any and definitely doable! |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Probably could have used spikes up to the end of Manning approaching Firescrew because there was just an inch or two of fresh powder on top of packed powder to that point. I wore snowshoes the whole way because I don't like the on/off game. Once up about a half mile before Mowglis the snow got deeper and the windblown ice appeared off and on depending on how open the area. I had trouble following the trail in the exposed parts around Firescrew because cairns were buried and ski trails threw me off. The trail I had been following was wiped out by drifts and windblown snow. Sunk in to my hip once when trying to find the trail! Once past that area and securely on Mowglis, I got to the summit of Cardigan and fortunately had the shelter of the firetower because my wind meter said it was 19 degrees with 39 mph winds. I kept waiting for a break in the wind to make a dash for Clark but the break didn't come so I headed out and fortunately stayed standing! Was tough to find Clark in the conditions but once I found it and was down off the summit, the rest was smooth sailing with very little wind. Started to snow once I was back in the trees and continued all the way down. Passed a large group (all in spikes which were definitely doable for Clark) headed up to High Cabin for the night. Hope they stayed warm! |
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 | Name: |
Ann |
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 | E-Mail: |
ann.pt@hotmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-01-23 |
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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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