| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cardigan, Firescrew, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Manning Trail, Mowglis Trail, Holt Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 21, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Tree down on manning. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We hiked Sat, 3/21 before the recent snow (not sure it snowed there on Sunday). If you hike upper holt ice axe and crampons are essential until the ice melts.
Trail started with some packed snow, spikes until the real ascent on holt. Then crampons. Ice axe was needed on the slabs but we used a shortened hiking poles in the pinch we found ourselves-- not recommended.
Summit was bare rock with sporadic black ice. We took off spikes but you have to keep a focus on where you step.
Spikes back on the way to firescrew and down manning.
It required extra navigation focus in this section but you can see the paint markings and very short cairns where visible. Alltrails/gaia helped. There were very sketchy, very icy trail heading down from firescrew but we kept spikes and worked around the sections. We took spikes off, no snow or ice on manning before the trail junction near the accessible outhouse. Then it's snow again but soft enough to bare boot it.
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|
 | Name: |
Kat McKee |
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 | E-Mail: |
Bluecko48@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-03-22 |
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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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