Mount Cardigan: 2/5/2014*

Mileage: 4.15 miles
Elevation gain: 1525 feet
Trails used: road walk, West Ridge Trail.
Highlight(s): 

Desi had been getting over a bit of a chest cold for the last few weeks so I asked her if she wanted to go out for a nice snowshoe hike to get some fresh air into her lungs. I suggested Mount Cardigan, since we both like this peak a lot and have hiked here several times.  It was a resounding yes so off  we went.

Mount Cardigan is in Cardigan Mountain State Forest and also located in the towns of Orange and Alexandria, New Hampshire.  There is a fire tower that sits on the summit that is manned at various times in the "good weather" days (i.e. any time other than winter).  

It had snowed quite a bit from a recent storm a few days prior, so we decided to head up the West Ridge Trail not knowing exactly how the snow conditions truly were going to be.  We arrived to a mixture of hikers and skiers so the trail up would have a nice track.  While we weren't expecting the views to be present today, we thought the weather might clear up a bit so we could get something.

Mount Cardigan is on the New Hampshire Two Hundred Highest List and the New Hampshire 3K List.

Hiking up the snowshoe track that was in place from snowshoes and skiers.  This is part of the road that goes to the summer parking area for the West Ridge Trail head.

The summer parking area with slightly overcast skies, which would be the norm for the hike.  The road is not plowed this far in winter.

We stopped here for a rest before we would head up the West Ridge Trail towards the summit of Mount Cardigan.

The starting section of the West Ridge Trail, which leaves from the summer parking area.  The woods were nice through here and the trail was packed down very nicely from people heading up before us.

 Some gnarly looking trees covered in snow along the West Ridge Trail.

At the junction for the South Ridge/Rimrock Trail and West Ridge Trail.  There are very nice views and an interesting perspective of Mount Cardigan from both of these areas although we did not go today though due to the weather.

Some more sections of the West Ridge Trail.  This trail, from the summer parking lot, is roughly 1.5 miles to the summit.  Notice the XC ski tracks along with the snow shoe tracks.

The West Ridge Trail continues on as we get closer to the summit of Mount Cardigan.

We would cross Chuck's Bridge.  No trolls on duty today though.

We are fast approaching the summit.  This is looking back towards the Rimrock area.

Heading up to the summit, it was a mixture of bare granite and nice snow drifts, as well as rime ice.  We had to weave our way around to get up to the summit since we were both wearing snowshoes still.

There are numerous trails that intersect various portions of the mountain, from regular hiking trails to ski trails making for some interesting variations for hikes.

The summit of  Mount Cardigan (elevation 3123') and its fire tower, which at this time is obviously not manned.

The fire tower on the summit of Mount Cardigan and its rime ice coat.

Not very many views today.  Right as we reached the summit, the snow line moved in.

Rime ice that has built up on the support structure for the fire tower.

The hike out was quick, like it usually is when you are headed down.  We passed several people heading up just as the weather moved in.

One last picture.  Desi and I just below the summit.  It was really COLD up on the summit.

A nice winter hike up a nice mountain as usual.  It's the first winter trek up Cardigan for either of us but it was an enjoyable one.  Plus, it went quick as we didn't have to break trail for any length and the weather held off for the most part.  On a nicer day, we would definitely have to return to check out a few more of the other trails this area has to offer.