Mount Cardigan , Orange, NH - 1/9/21

 If you haven't been to Mount Cardigan State Park, Mount Cardigan State Forest, the Appalachian  Mountain Club's 1200 acre Cardigan Preserve or AMC Cardigan Lodge, consider taking a look.  Mount Cardigan is worth visiting in any season.  Lots of great hiking trails, open summits, backcountry ski trails, camping options and lodging options.  The area is conveniently located between I-91 and Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.  It truly is an area with something for everyone.

My goal for this hike was for my wife and I to meet up with my daughter and one of my son's to do a loop hike that would include the summit of Cardigan.  I chose to start from the west side of Cardigan by parking at the winter parking lot (on Burnt Hill Road) for the West Ridge Trail.   With the gate to the summer parking lot closed, the hike is lengthened by a half mile or so each direction, but that gives you a chance to get your lungs going before the real climbing starts and a chance for a easy finish on the way out. 

Pavilion at the summer parking area.

From the summer parking lot, it is only 1.5 miles to the summit of Mount Cardigan via the West Ridge Trail, but that was going to be our descent route.

The sign at the start of the West Ridge Trail

  We went up the West Ridge trail for only a half mile before taking the right fork on the South Ridge towards Cardigan Rimrock to start our counter-clockwise loop.  The snow depth was probably only 4-6", but there were occasional drift areas we had to punch through.

The fork between the West Ridge Trail and the South Ridge Trail

Just prior to Cardigan Rimrock the first viewpoint opens up .

A first viewpont

Rimrock

Nick & Lindsay at Rimrock with Mount Cardigan in the background

From Rimrock, we took the Skyland Trail to Mount Gilman (Orange Mountain on my topo map).

 

Mount Cardigan from Mount Gilman

At Mount Gilman, we dropped down the Vistamount Trail down past the Clark Trail and the Cathedral Forest Trail to the Holt Trail, where we were greeted with the warning sign below.  With the gear we had on hand (microspikes), we decided to backtrack to Cathedral Forest Trail to begin our ascent back towards Mount Cardigan. 

The Cathedral Forest Trail connects to the Clark Trail from which we continued upwards towards the summit.  Our partly Skies were clearing into a full bluebird sky as we neared the summit.  The wind was strong though.

The old fire lookout cabin

Looking to South Summit and Mount Gilman

We took some time to add a layer and some face protection as we broke above the treeline.

A windblown summit cone

The view from the summit is awesome in good weather, and today was one of those days.

A look at the 1924 firetower on the summit.

Rev is hoping for a snack.

Looking north towards Firescrew Mountain from the summit of Mount Cardigan.

Starting to head down the West Ridge Rail

We enjoyed the sunny summit for awhile, in spite of the wind.  To complete our loop hike, we returned via the West Ridge Trail.  The trail was hardpack snow and with microspikes it was an easy return to the car in less than an hour. 

Rev the fearless leader

The crew - Lindsay, Leesa & Nick

An interesting pink ring in the sunset on the way home.

Everybody loved this peak and multiple hike (and ski) options that are possible here.  It was a good day that we'll remember.  We completed the day by picking up some pizzas on the way out.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  8.5 miles

Hike Time:  5 hours, 45 minutes

Total Vertical Gain:  ~2800'

 

The route

     

Tub Mill Pond - Hammond Pond Wild Forest - 12/4/2020

By pure accident I learned about New York State's acquisition of the Tub Mill Pond 1200 acre parcel in the Town of Moriah.  This tract of land boasts multiple ponds and and borders the Hammond Pond Wild Forest.  The parcel was purchased in July 2018 by the Open Space Institute (OSI).

New York State has since obtained the parcel from OSI.  It is expected the parcel will  be added to the Hammond Pond Wild Forest (if it hasn't already).   The parcel is bounded on the north by Ensign Pond Road.  State Land signs have been placed along the road.

On December 4th, my dog Rev and I ventured into the parcel to have our 1st look.  The access road leading into the parcel is gated, by provides easy walking access into the land. 

The access road

After about a 1.5 mile walk, we reached the 1st pond, Tub Mill Pond, and the nice dam that was renovated in 2013.

My 1st thought upon reaching the pond, was that this would be a great place to kayak, and with easy access.  The 57 acre pond is quite attractive and boasts several small islands.

A 1st look at Tub Mill Pond

The new (2013) dam

Once at the pond , I decided to make a big loop to circumnavigate all the ponds in the tract.

While on the southeastern portion of the loop, a ledge caught my eye so we swung a little wide to get up on the ledge for a better view of the ponds and beyond.  It was well worth it!

 

Zoom view to the snow covered peaks in the distance.

The clockwise loop brought me back to the dam from which I had an easy 1.5 mile walk back to the car on the access road.

I found this hike to be enjoyable but I think the kayaking option would double the fun.  I may return in the warm weather to give that a try.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  8 miles

Hike Time:  4.5 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  ~1200'

The route and the parcel

The route

Prospect Rock Trail and Lye Brook Wilderness - Manchester, VT - 1/20/20

When there is fresh snow nearby, my preference is always to pull out my XC skis.  Snowshoes can wait for less than stellar snow conditions.   The Saturday snow storm didn't quite deliver the forecast amount of 8-9" of snow at my house.  We ended up with about 5".   Nice for golf course skiing, but not so good in the woods.

Saturday (pre-storm) we took a hike to Haystack Mountain in Pawlet, VT.  This hike is a great bang for the buck 1.6 mile hike to a fantastic summit.  Two hours round trip for a view that can't be beat.

Sunday, with skiable snow lacking at my house, I went to the Corinth Reservoir Rec Trails.   The snow depth was fine, but the temperature got up to about 34 degrees and the snow was sticking to my skis on the uphill.

Today, with the bonus day off for MLK, I headed to Manchester, VT to explore the Prospect Rock trail; a new trail for me.  It was much colder; 10 degrees at the start and 20 degrees at the finish.  There was also more snow; about 8" at the start (1000' elevation) and about 12" up at 2000'.

It was a great day and great trail trail to use my Altai Hoc 125cm "ski-shoes".  I call them ski-shoes because they are really a snowshoe alternate for many types of terrain.   

This trail is an old road with a continuous moderate grade.  The Prospect Rock viewpoint is about 1.6 miles up the trail with close to a 1000' vertical gain.  I walked right up the trail in the skis with no slippage.  There is a mohair strip built into the middle half of the ski that works well for climbing. 

The Prospect Rock Trail (the old Rootville Road)

There is a short 200' long spur trail on the right that takes you to Prospect Rock.  It is easy to miss, so watch for it. 

Rev on Prospect Rock

Mount Equinox and the Manchester Valley from Prospect Rock

Fortunately, if you miss it, you quickly come to a gate with a sign attached that says you may have missed it!

It might be better to have a good sign at the Prospect Rock turnoff.

Rev and I were really enjoying the snow.  This route was going to be a great slide down back to the car!

The old road levels out shortly after Prospect Rock and continues for another mile before coming to the  junction of the Appalachian Trail/Long Trail with the trail to Douglas Shelter and Little Mud Pond.  I headed for the shelter, which I reached at the 3.1 mile mark.

The only bridge on the route.

Hot chocolate and snacks at the lean-to, while sitting in the sunshine! 

Yes, Rev got snacks too...

And she's ready to continue.

I decided to continue on to Little Mud Pond.  The trail didn't quite go to the pond, so I bushwhacked to the pond, which looked more like a vly.

Next I decided to bushwhack around the south end of the pond and head east until I hit the Long Trail.  Once there, I headed north on the LT until I returned to the earlier junction where I had split for the lean-to.

Lastly, I skied the flat portion of the old Rootville Road and then had a quick glide for the last 1.8 miles or so back to the car.  Awesome !

Trip Stats

Ski Distance:  10 miles

Ski Time:  4.5 hours, including stops

Vertical Gain:  ~1650'     

The route (the loop was done counter-clockwise).