BIGEarl
Well-known member
Many reports detailing hikes of Mt. Cardigan seem to have a common thread. The authors are short on time and Cardigan can be a short hike. Approaching from the West in the Cardigan Mountain State Forest, the West Ridge Trail will lead you to the summit and back in a quick 3 mile round trip. Not fighting a deadline, we were interested in more of the rewards this mountain has to offer. Our approach was from the East starting at the AMC Cardigan Lodge.
Three of us hiked Mt. Cardigan together. Jennifer, her brother Stafford, and me. Some folks might find the combination interesting (or perhaps entertaining). These days when people think of Jennifer the “C” word generally comes to mind. And, good old Stafford is running on after-market parts as well just coming back from having a replacement hip installed. I think all three of us are now lab rats in different ways.
We left the Cardigan Lodge lot at approximately 9:30am under completely overcast skies. The forecast for the day was ~60% sky cover and a 12 mph wind from the west (another reason for hiking the east side of the mountain). The road leading to the trails had no other fresh tracks heading from the lodge area. We were hiking in one to two inches of fresh powder, no wind, and 100% sky cover. We were hoping for some breaks in the clouds before we reached the open upper sections to enjoy the views. Stafford took the lead and set a comfortable pace. The footing was generally good for the first half of the Manning Trail. At the Allieway Ski Trail junction there is a large blowdown hanging over the trail. I really need to buy a saw to keep on my pack. This blowdown needs to have some limbs removed – I would have taken care of it but, no saw. We were able to pass under without any real problems. Roughly half way to the intersection with the Duke’s Ski Trail the trail became much steeper and the fun started. To this point the hiking was easy with secure footing. From here on we were faced with a great deal of ice generally well hidden under the snow. With Stafford in the lead he was the one that showed us were the slippery spots were hiding. Those after-market parts he has seem to be very well built – they can really take a punch. Stafford went down a number of times, but we would all take our turn.
Things quieted down for a while and we were moving along well when a patch of ice Stafford was standing on collapsed and he soaked both feet. A good leader can make the others aware of potential hazards without saying a word. Stafford was doing his job well, as he pulled himself out of the water. Jennifer and I continued with dry feet on a slightly different track and Stafford followed. Soon, we came into the bare and somewhat open ledges toward the top of Firescrew. Smooth ledge with a layer of ice topped by a layer of powder presents an interesting challenge. We all managed to go down more than once but picked our way across the open sections to the Mowglis Trail, and Firescrew. Unfortunately, the clouds did not break and we were only able to enjoy a view that went roughly fifteen to twenty miles past Newfound Lake. Still, not bad.
When we made it to the top of Firescrew, the westerly wind was strong, at least 30 mph and perhaps more. The ledge was generally covered with a layer of rime ice and the sheltered areas were drifted in with snow.
We headed off for Mt. Cardigan on the Mowglis Trail. This section is generally exposed and on the ridge which kept us in a stiff wind for the .6 miles to the tower. Evidently, we were not alone (is anybody really alone? But, I digress.) Also following the Mowglis Trail was a Jackrabbit (?) – Snowshoe Rabbit (?) don’t know the make and model but it was probably large and covered twelve to fifteen feet with each jump, even when launching from soft snow. Impressive!
We arrived at the tower on the summit of Cardigan. The wind seemed to have gained a little and the visibility decreased. Of course, we didn’t hang around there for very long. Just below the tower is a signpost marking the trails, directions, and distances. We set off on the Clark Trail for the Warden’s Cabin. More snow over ice, rime ice, and slipping and sliding but we made it there with no real problems. At the Warden’s Cabin we stopped for a brief rest, some water, and fresh gloves for me. Between the tower and the Warden’s Cabin were the first human tracks we saw. Continuing down the Clark Trail we came upon three hikers headed for the summit. At the Hurricane Gap Trail we decided to take a side trip to see the AMC High Cabin. Interesting place. I’d like to get a group together and take the place some weekend. We had a quick lunch on the front porch and headed back out to the Clark trail, and beyond. We were generally past the difficult hiking with the smooth, snow-and-ice-covered ledge behind us. We took the Cathedral Forest Trail to Grand Junction and then followed the Holt Trail out to the Cardigan Lodge.
Initially we had a plan to also visit South Peak, Rimrock, and Orange Mountain. The general conditions, lack of views, and wet feet (Stafford’s demonstration of where not to step) told us to head down from the Warden’s Cabin. We had a good hike and left with plenty of reason to return for more. Perhaps next time we’ll take the cabin for a couple nights and try to redline the place.
Snowshoes are definitely not needed but added traction for the upper half would be very helpful.
Three of us hiked Mt. Cardigan together. Jennifer, her brother Stafford, and me. Some folks might find the combination interesting (or perhaps entertaining). These days when people think of Jennifer the “C” word generally comes to mind. And, good old Stafford is running on after-market parts as well just coming back from having a replacement hip installed. I think all three of us are now lab rats in different ways.
We left the Cardigan Lodge lot at approximately 9:30am under completely overcast skies. The forecast for the day was ~60% sky cover and a 12 mph wind from the west (another reason for hiking the east side of the mountain). The road leading to the trails had no other fresh tracks heading from the lodge area. We were hiking in one to two inches of fresh powder, no wind, and 100% sky cover. We were hoping for some breaks in the clouds before we reached the open upper sections to enjoy the views. Stafford took the lead and set a comfortable pace. The footing was generally good for the first half of the Manning Trail. At the Allieway Ski Trail junction there is a large blowdown hanging over the trail. I really need to buy a saw to keep on my pack. This blowdown needs to have some limbs removed – I would have taken care of it but, no saw. We were able to pass under without any real problems. Roughly half way to the intersection with the Duke’s Ski Trail the trail became much steeper and the fun started. To this point the hiking was easy with secure footing. From here on we were faced with a great deal of ice generally well hidden under the snow. With Stafford in the lead he was the one that showed us were the slippery spots were hiding. Those after-market parts he has seem to be very well built – they can really take a punch. Stafford went down a number of times, but we would all take our turn.
Things quieted down for a while and we were moving along well when a patch of ice Stafford was standing on collapsed and he soaked both feet. A good leader can make the others aware of potential hazards without saying a word. Stafford was doing his job well, as he pulled himself out of the water. Jennifer and I continued with dry feet on a slightly different track and Stafford followed. Soon, we came into the bare and somewhat open ledges toward the top of Firescrew. Smooth ledge with a layer of ice topped by a layer of powder presents an interesting challenge. We all managed to go down more than once but picked our way across the open sections to the Mowglis Trail, and Firescrew. Unfortunately, the clouds did not break and we were only able to enjoy a view that went roughly fifteen to twenty miles past Newfound Lake. Still, not bad.
When we made it to the top of Firescrew, the westerly wind was strong, at least 30 mph and perhaps more. The ledge was generally covered with a layer of rime ice and the sheltered areas were drifted in with snow.
We headed off for Mt. Cardigan on the Mowglis Trail. This section is generally exposed and on the ridge which kept us in a stiff wind for the .6 miles to the tower. Evidently, we were not alone (is anybody really alone? But, I digress.) Also following the Mowglis Trail was a Jackrabbit (?) – Snowshoe Rabbit (?) don’t know the make and model but it was probably large and covered twelve to fifteen feet with each jump, even when launching from soft snow. Impressive!
We arrived at the tower on the summit of Cardigan. The wind seemed to have gained a little and the visibility decreased. Of course, we didn’t hang around there for very long. Just below the tower is a signpost marking the trails, directions, and distances. We set off on the Clark Trail for the Warden’s Cabin. More snow over ice, rime ice, and slipping and sliding but we made it there with no real problems. At the Warden’s Cabin we stopped for a brief rest, some water, and fresh gloves for me. Between the tower and the Warden’s Cabin were the first human tracks we saw. Continuing down the Clark Trail we came upon three hikers headed for the summit. At the Hurricane Gap Trail we decided to take a side trip to see the AMC High Cabin. Interesting place. I’d like to get a group together and take the place some weekend. We had a quick lunch on the front porch and headed back out to the Clark trail, and beyond. We were generally past the difficult hiking with the smooth, snow-and-ice-covered ledge behind us. We took the Cathedral Forest Trail to Grand Junction and then followed the Holt Trail out to the Cardigan Lodge.
Initially we had a plan to also visit South Peak, Rimrock, and Orange Mountain. The general conditions, lack of views, and wet feet (Stafford’s demonstration of where not to step) told us to head down from the Warden’s Cabin. We had a good hike and left with plenty of reason to return for more. Perhaps next time we’ll take the cabin for a couple nights and try to redline the place.
Snowshoes are definitely not needed but added traction for the upper half would be very helpful.
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