3,155 ft | Cardigan | 0 routes
Feels like 43°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 2.09" (24h) · 2.57" (48h)
Snow: 1.0" (24h) · 1.0" (48h)
~4°F drop per 1,000ft
Mount Cardigan is showing DIFFICULT conditions
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Sunday offers the best opportunity within the next 48 hours, after Saturday's heavy snow event clears and skies partially improve. Aim for an early morning start Sunday to maximize the available daylight and allow trail surfaces to firm slightly overnight. Expect muddy, snow-patched, and wet conditions regardless of timing.
Trail: Road walk, West Ridge Trail, South Ridge Trail, Skyland Trail, Clark Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Small Patches
“Awesome hike today-Orange is such an overlooked mountain with Cardigan stealing all the glory. The Skyland trail is a real gem and the summit ledges of Orange have a magnificent view of the entire 18-mile “superloop” hike that is an annual pilgrimage. We encountered minimal snow/ice all day. Didn’t carry traction and wouldn’t have thought to use it if we did. Saw a few early Trout Lily’s getting ready to bloom:) Five minutes up from the summer lot two older gentlemen descending asked if they were almost at the AMC lodge. These two bozos had no packs, no map or map phone app, and had descended the entire mountain the wrong direction. They also ascended the notorious Holt trail with no traction. They reported the entire steep part was covered in ice and they had to bear crawl and bushwhack through the trees to make it up. When I asked the guy if he knew what he was getting into today he replied he has hiked the Holt trail at least ten times?! I went over the map with them in detail and texted them Gaia screenshots and they were still acting clueless. It was a textbook case of being wildly unprepared and making repeated poor decisions. Saw multiple hikers later in sneakers with no packs and bluejeans. I thought the short bus didn’t start dropping people off until summer time but I guess it’s open season on Cardigan!!!”
Trail: Manning Trail, Mowglis Trail, Holt Trail
Conditions: Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Postholes
“We hiked Sat, 3/21 before the recent snow (not sure it snowed there on Sunday). If you hike upper holt ice axe and crampons are essential until the ice melts. Trail started with some packed snow, spikes until the real ascent on holt. Then crampons. Ice axe was needed on the slabs but we used a shortened hiking poles in the pinch we found ourselves-- not recommended. Summit was bare rock with sporadic black ice. We took off spikes but you have to keep a focus on where you step. Spikes back on the way to firescrew and down manning. It required extra navigation focus in this section but you can see the paint markings and very short cairns where visible. Alltrails/gaia helped. There were very sketchy, very icy trail heading down from firescrew but we kept spikes and worked around the sections. We took spikes off, no snow or ice on manning before the trail junction near the accessible outhouse. Then it's snow again but soft enough to bare boot it.”
Trail: Access road, West Ridge Trail, Mowglis Trail, Clark Trail, South Ridge Trail
Conditions: Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches
“Typical late winter / early spring hiking. Ice was soft during ascent due to warm temps then firmed up midmorning once temps dropped below freezing. Microspikes worked the whole route but advise against descending West Ridge because of technical footing due to ice build up and running water. Trail easily lost between Cardigan and Firescrew due to ice and snow covering blazes and knocked over cairns. Keep aware of soft marsh areas and tree wells if off trail. If new to winter hiking, this is a good introduction mountain with an exposed summit.”
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth, Mt. Washington Avalanche Center, USGS Stream Levels, OpenWeather Air Quality.
AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
No routes available for this peak.
Located in Orange, New Hampshire, this beloved White Mountains-adjacent summit stands as one of the most accessible above-treeline peaks in the state. The upper mountain features extensive open granite ledges, giving hikers sweeping 360-degree views that stretch across the Connecticut River Valley, Lake Sunapee, and on clear days, the White Mountains to the north. The final approach traverses wide-open bedrock slabs that can feel surprisingly exposed despite the modest elevation. Several trail options approach the summit, with routes originating from the AMC's Cardigan Lodge offering well-maintained, varied terrain through mixed forest before breaking into the open. A fire tower crowns the summit, adding historical character and an elevated vantage point above the already panoramic ridgeline. Its combination of genuine alpine character, outstanding views, and manageable distance makes it a standout entry on the 52 With A View list and a perennial favorite among New England hikers.
Elevation
3,155 ft
Range
Cardigan
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
43.6496, -71.9144
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