Mt Cardigan

[snowbird22]

I am going to hike Mt cardigan on the 15th of May. Does anybody know if still could be some snow and ice? Given if temps stay as they are. Also any reccomendations for climbing the mountain? Anything I should watch for or be careful of? Its my first time up Cardigan

 

[McRat]

I have a soft spot in my heart for Cardigan. They say you always remember your first. I spent most of my childhood near Newfound Lake. I still hike back up there whenever I'm up visiting relatives. My Dad still brags about being 16 racing his bike to the Cardigan Lodge, and summiting in 36 minutes. It was the thing to do before cable TV.

If this is your first time, I would suggest parking at the AMC lodge and hiking the Manning trail up to Firescrew and then cut across to the Cardigan summit on the Mowglis trail, down the Clark trail. A lot of pretty views along the way and a moderately easy 5 mile, 2000ft hike. You can always branch out on the summit to hit Mowglis and Gilman if you want to extend the trip.

I would avoid the shorter Holt trail unless you are seeking a big challenge on a small mountain. In the spring, this can be a very wet and slippery scramble and even in dry conditions is not very safe for novices. Decent on the Holt trail is advised against year round.

http://www.nhstateparks.org/pdf Maps/CardiganWeb .pdf

If you are looking for a bigger hike, read up on the Mowglis or Elwell trails.

 

[nartreb]

Yes, watch out for the wind on the summit! When I've been there it's been unbelievably strong, even a bit dangerous (the summit is very open, with nothing to hang on to until you reach the fire tower). But it's a great hike and well worth it.

 

[Bob Kittredge]

I've hiked that loop in early May, and definitely encountered ice on some of the steeper, north-facing sections of the Manning. This year may be different, but I'd definitely recommend going up the Manning rather than down, and bring some kind of traction aid just in case.

Descend via the Clark, Holt-Clark Cutoff and the lower Holt. The upper Holt is pretty scary (and I generally like scrambles.

 

[jn316]

West Side

Or, for a much easier outing, use the trails from Cardigan State Park on the west side of the mtn, in Orange NH. Start on the West Ridge Trail, branch off to take the South Ridge Trail over the south peak to the old ranger's cabin, then the Clark Trail for the final open ledges to the summit.
Return by the West Ridge Trail.
Should be no snow/ice on this route (unless it snows in May) except maybe for a patch in the shadowy col between the South Pk and the cabin.
Cardigan always a nice hike.

 

[MtnMagic]

I too enjoy this range enough to visit every year. A nice moderate dayhike that SilentCal, Ghostdog and I did last year was up Mt Orange (aka Mt. Gilman) to Cardigan to Firescrew. Some enjoy the Firescrew to Cardigan loop. Still others enjoy visiting the mere mile and a quarter walk from the parking lot to see lovely Welton Falls. The water volume will still be spectacular mid-May. However you decide to hike the area enjoy!

 

[adamiata]

How does the Holt Trail compare to some of the White Mountains' slide trails, like North Tripyramid, Flume, and Owls Head? I'm talking in terms of steepness, difficulty, heights, and exposure.

I did the Holt Trail a few years back but I've never climbed a slide. There were a few times when the wind started gusting on the HT that I had to stop and tell myself to relax and calm down, but I made it to the top.

I have a nagging fear of heights that I want to overcome. The trail descriptions of slides I've read in various guide books have given me little chills. I kinda fear them even though I've never experienced one, but at the same time I don't want to want to avoid them. I want to work past that so I can feel like I've improved myself by overcoming a fear I've always had. I know its possible because I was able to finish the Holt Trail and I'm wondering
how some classic slide trails compare.

This winter I climbed the Hancocks and I now have this odd goal of working toward climbing the Arrow Slide at some point, if I can defeat the whole mental hang up thing.

 

[Bob Kittredge]

There are two "friction" pitches near the top of the upper Holt where, if you follow the blazes, lead up steep ledges with no handholds; you must rely on your boots not to slip. If they do slip, you're going to leave a lot of skin on the rock and maybe break a limb or two. It has definitely happened. However, one can bushwhack around these section with a bit of effort and less risk.

The most comparable normal hiking trails I know of are Tripyramids North Slide and the pitch above the top of the Fan in Huntington's Ravine. Neither are quite as steep, and both have at least some minimal handholds. I was most scared on the Holt, but a slip on North Slide would probably be do a lot more damage -- one could slide, roll and bounce a long way there.

Most other scrambly places, the ravine headwalls, Flume Slide, Madison Gulf, Caps Ridge, 6 Husbands, give you plenty of handholds. I've never done Owl's Head.

 

[McRat]

The real key to the Holt trail is how wet you expect the trail to be.

Then it will be slightly wetter than you expected.

 

[adamiata]

Thanks for the responses.

It helps the overall confidence level when I know I've done comparable trails before.

 

[SherpaKroto]

When I did Holt there was some thin ice on it. I was quite unnerved. It is quite steep in spots as others have mentioned. I wouldn't do Holt at this time of year.

Your loop should definitely include both Cardigan and Firescrew summits. It's a very nice mountain.

 

[Toe Cozy]

Maybe now isn't the time to go up the Holt Trail for fear of slick rocks, but I would give two thumbs up to that trail in during a dry spell in mid/late summer. It's the second hike I did after quitting a job I hated in Boston. I did it solo and didn't see anyone else until I got to the top. As I was making my way up the exposed slabs I do remember thinking...this is stupid, I can't believe I'm doing this by myself. And also that if my mom could see me she'd have a heart attack! i had no idea any scrambling was involved, I had never done anything remotely like that trail before. There was rain falling off in the distance and angry black clouds flying across the sky... the wind was incredible and I hid in the leeward side of the observation tower with two other people hoping the storm would not hit us up there. Thankfully it didn't. That hike sticks out from all others that I've ever done as the most exhilarating for multiple reasons. If you don't like any kind of scrambling...don't do it. But if you think it's up your alley...head back later in the season and do it again. It was great!!!

That was in July. I also took some friends up there in Oct. and it was gorgeous. Stopped for fresh apple pie at an orchard nearby. We all got forks and ate out of the pan. Perfect day.

Ahhhh..happy hiking memories, thanks for indulging my trip down memory lane.