my first trip report on vftt Cardigan and Firescrew 6/28

[freighttrain48]

It was a nice day and I didnt feel like getting up at 5am to go the the whites so I figured Cardigan was a good spot. If you have never been there it is a great shorter hike with amazing views. Parked at the AMC lodge and set out on the manning trail.

Love these trees

The plan was to test out my new overnight pack (osprey aether 70) before I use this weekend in the sandwich range. The trails were a little muddy in the begining but got better the higher you got. Took me about and and hr and a half to reach the summit of firescrew which has great views of the whites and its neighbor cardigan

from there I went over to the Cardigan hauling my 40lb load up those final ledges was a little rough but over all not to bad. I sat up there for about an hr watching the clouds pass by and enjoying the steady breeze that kept those evil black flies away.

went down the clark trail and instead of going down the usual catherdal holt/clark cutoff I took the clark to the woodland trail which was very pleasant altough probally a mile or so longer. All in all it was a nice day barely got rained on and didnt have to cover myself in bug dope every time I stopped!!

 

[audrey]

The Manning's a good one in winter too if you're ready for a few ice flows. My favorite is a return via Mowglis/Back 40.

 

[freighttrain48]

The Manning's a good one in winter too if you're ready for a few ice flows. My favorite is a return via Mowglis/Back 40.

I love the manning in the winter it was actually my first real hike. This is right below the ice flows you speak of

 

[Billy]

...Love these trees

...

Definitely would not have slept through Ecology 101 if I had known that this is how trees reproduce.

 

[forestgnome]

Welcome, fellow hiker and snowboarder!!!! Really like the idea of snowshoeing up a mountain and riding down.

Excellent first TR!

happy trails

 

[freighttrain48]

Welcome, fellow hiker and snowboarder!!!! Really like the idea of snowshoeing up a mountain and riding down.

Excellent first TR!

happy trails

Thanks, that was the trip that got me into hiking. I had been snowboarding for 15 years but I rode a chairlift like most people. The turns going down are much better when you have earned them going up! Plus its much quicker