Jimmy Legs and Little D
New member
Our fall vacation began with a 7.5 mile loop hike over Mount Orange, South Peak, Cardigan and Firescrew. Our hosts Clay and Sandra at the Henry Whipple House (a lovely Bed and Breakfast in Bristol) suggested the best trails to take in order to avoid the Holt trail with its steep granite slabs and possible wet conditions. We’ve been wanting to do Mount Cardigan ever since we saw the Hiker Bob video of his winter hike up this southern New Hampshire peak.
Although the temperatures were in the low 70’s, which was most unusual for a late September hike in the White Mountains, the humidity was tropical.
Everywhere along all the trails there seemed to be an abundance of mushrooms.
We spotted several blow downs along the Vistamount trail, none of which posed a problem. We even managed to remove a few of the smaller ones.
There were nice views with the colors beginning to show on the way to Orange.
As we gained elevation on the way to the summit of Mount Cardigan, we were engulfed by clouds, blocking all our views.
Although visibility was limited by the cloud cover the moisture deeped the fall colors.
Afterwards we stopped at the Mount Cardigan Orchard for a slice of delicious apple pie, a whoopie pie, fudge, cider, and some honey crisp and macoun apples. We always like buying products made locally; it just seems like the right thing to do.
We concluded the day with outrageously meaty steak subs from the Village Pizza shop.
Here's the link to the slideshow of our hike.
http://jimmylegs.smugmug.com/Nature/Hiking/Cardigan-Hike-92311/19336908_tBT3Wn
Mike and Donna
Although the temperatures were in the low 70’s, which was most unusual for a late September hike in the White Mountains, the humidity was tropical.
Everywhere along all the trails there seemed to be an abundance of mushrooms.
We spotted several blow downs along the Vistamount trail, none of which posed a problem. We even managed to remove a few of the smaller ones.
There were nice views with the colors beginning to show on the way to Orange.
As we gained elevation on the way to the summit of Mount Cardigan, we were engulfed by clouds, blocking all our views.
Although visibility was limited by the cloud cover the moisture deeped the fall colors.
Afterwards we stopped at the Mount Cardigan Orchard for a slice of delicious apple pie, a whoopie pie, fudge, cider, and some honey crisp and macoun apples. We always like buying products made locally; it just seems like the right thing to do.
We concluded the day with outrageously meaty steak subs from the Village Pizza shop.
Here's the link to the slideshow of our hike.
http://jimmylegs.smugmug.com/Nature/Hiking/Cardigan-Hike-92311/19336908_tBT3Wn
Mike and Donna
