Mount Cardigan

Trail: Manning Trail, Mowglis Trail, Clark Trail, Alexandria Trail, Holt Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes

“Beautiful bluebird day, temps in the 20s and sunny. Lots of people were out today on the trails, especially backcountry skiers. We had calm conditions until we ascended Firescrew and Cardigan; the winds picked up once we approached the summits and were sustained 15-20 mph. Trail conditions called for snowshoes, the trails are too soft for barebooting and microspikes. Postholes were quite abundant on the summit in deeper snow sections. Microspikes and crampons could be useful up on the summit of Cardigan as there was some ice and snow-covered ice. It was nothing our snowshoes couldn't handle. There was also bare rock on the summit of Cardigan where the snow and ice has melted. Windy conditions caused us to lose the trail when we went to go down Clark, as the trail was windswept. We used GPS to stay on course and ascend safely. Butt sliding and sledding was pretty epic on the way back down.”

Trail: Holt Trail, Clark Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder

“Lovely light snow for most of the day, eventually clearing partially. temps fine when moving through the forest. Although trail somewhat packed lower down, as one goes higher, snow gets more and more loose; snowshoes and skis did well, spikes not so much (as we learned despite advice at the headquarters). Just above junction of Clark and Hurricane, a spread tangle of ski tracks caused us to fail to find Clark trail going farther. As alternative, went past High Cabin to S Summit. Kestrel readings: T=10F W=5 mph WC= 3F Good to get OUT ! Lots of skiers.”

Trail: Manning Trail, Holt Trail, Holt-Clark Cutoff, Clark Trail, Mowglis Trail

Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes

“Went up Clark and down Manning…. Trail has been broken out…. A few sections between Cardigan & Firescrew was tricky to follow because of wind blown snow but Gaia helped me locate trails very quickly. Tubbs flex alps were perfect…. Trails are not ready for microspikes…. You’ll be miserable if you try. Great views, saw a lot of skiers.”