Firescrew, Mt. Cardigan, & Orange Mountain (Cardigan Mountain State Forest)

Firescrew, Mt. Cardigan, & Orange Mountain (Cardigan Mountain State Forest)

Distance: 8.46 miles
Elevation: 2,405 feet

Time: 4 hours, 40 minutes (3 hours, 58 minutes moving)
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: 52 With-a-View; Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge, 52 Hike Challenge, New Hampshire Fire Tower Quest

The Hike

T'was the early morning after my annual pride bingo night, I was SLEEPY, and I was determined to climb a mountain. I had a rough drive to Hooksett with a pit-stop at the NH Welcome Center to get some form of fun liquid to keep me away (Fresca has become my latest obsession), but the skies were crystal clear, fueling my fire for a great day of views! I landed at Hooksett at 4:55am, christened the bathroom and they had breakfast sandwiches! I did have to get off the highway in the Lakes Region for a second christening at a Circle K... Once officially off of I-93 the drive was beautiful through two villages, some farms, and some views of nearby peaks along a recently paved road. The last mile was on a slightly sketchy dirt road, but not much of a problem.

I made it into the parking lot at 6:05am and quickly got moving. It was a brisk 47 degrees which was too cold for the bugs (yay!). I walked into the Cardigan Lodge in hopes for a bathroom (a third christening was brewing...) and found a staff member setting up breakfast. She directed me to the bathroom, which I guess was a single-person bathroom and currently occupied. I waited for about 5 mintues and heard water running for the last 2 of those 5... is there a shower in there? I decided to chance my luck and bailed on this plan. I put my pack on, grabbed my poles, and my hike had begun!

Just before entering the woods (also just outside the lodge) is a trail kiosk:

Mount Cardigan Reservation

        Mount Cardigan rises out of the Shem Valley as a beacon for outdoor lovers. Next to 5,000-acre Mount Cardigan State Forest, Cardigan Lodge is located on a 1,200-acre reservation owned by AMC. Originally purchased in 1934, Cardigan Reservation & Lodge was meant to serve as a hub for skiers flocking to New Hampshire in the 1930s.

        Today, Mount Cardigan has become a landmark for all outdoor adventures, from hiking, to mountain biking, camping, and more. From this trailhead, you can access more than 50 miles of hiking and historic ski trails, built by the Civilian Conservation Corp., directly from the lodge and choose from numerous routes up to Mount Cardigan 3,121-foot treeless granite summit. Known as "Old Baldy," Mount Cardigan is a three-peaked mountain with Cardigan the highest, flanked by the neighboring summits of South Peak and Firescrew. The 360-degree panorama includes views of Mount Monadnock, the White Mountains, Camel's Hump in Vermont, and Pleasant Mountain in Maine.

        The mission of the Appalachian Mountain Club is to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. Since 1876 we've made it our mission to protect the mountains, forests, waters, and trails you love in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. We envision a world where our natural resources are healthy, loved, and always protected, and where the outdoors occupies a place of central importance in every person's life. We encourage you to experience, learn more, and appreciate the outdoors knowing that your participation supports the conservation and stewardship of the natural world around you. Learn more at outdoors.org.

High Cabin

        For more than 85 years, High Cabin has been popular rustic retreat for backcountry enthusiasts looking for a secluded escape with breathtaking scenery. Just a two-mile hike from the Cardigan Lodge parking lot, the cabin is less than a half mile from spectacular sunrises and sunsets on the summit. It sits protected just below treeline on the saddle between the Mountain Cardigan summit and South Peak. For more information, visit outdoors.org/highcabin.

Camping at Cardigan

        Each of the 20 primitive campsires shown on this map have space for two tents, a fire ring with grill, and a picnic table. We also have group campsites that can accommodate between 12 and 36 people, depending on the spot, and the Clark Brook Campsite is a backcountry group site 1.1 miles from Cardigan Lodge that can accommodate 14 people. Campsires are walk-in only, with outhouses and a potable water source nearby. To learn more or to reserve your spot, visit outdoors.org/cardigancampsites.

The Manning Trail follows a wide woods road past many signs, campsites, ski trails, and the start of the "All-Persons" Trail (which I would later decide to take on the return) (Text of a great article detailing the building process at the bottom). Finally the Manning Trail passes a large group campsite with a bunch of privys - sweet relief! I took care of my business (with my own toilet paper, thank you), and continued on worry-free!

My windbreaker came off once the climb started (and once I realized bugs were not being a problem). There was a sign where the trail leaves the road grade and continues on a footpath. From here, the trail was less well-defined but not much of an issue, except for the hundreds of spider webs I demolished accidentally. One had a LARGE spider on it, which caused my fight or flight to kick in and I RAN. Following the near-death experience, I had an uncomfortable lower G.I. sensation, but thankfully that was short-lived... I could NOT have another repeat of my Mt. Israel crisis. 

The trail continued to climb - my heart was pumping but I was not dying. Still no bugs! I paused at one point to read the guidebook and catch my breath and couldn't help but enjoy how delightfully still the woods were - only sounds being morning birds and little woodland critters. 

The trail continued through a "step-and-duck" blowdown and a muddy patch, followed by bog bridges over dry land. Once we hit a mile there was a nice walking break, and then the trail turned and continued a rugged climb. The trails began to get rockier and then ledgier (is that a word?) and there were some early "peek-a-views." The gnats woke up promptly at 7:00am and the only thing that distracted me from performing a full massacre was finding my favorite ridiculous flower, the lady slipper!

The Manning Trail continued to get ledgier with some steep sections, eventually arriving at the first view of Mt. Cardigan, South Peak, and Orange Mountain! In hindsight, I tend to do these bigger loops in counter-clockwise. I had a similar experience on the Mt. Meader Trail on my Meader-Eagle Crag-Baldfaces-Eastman hike and also with my Mt. Chocorua hike via Carter Ledge. I like a big, sprawling loop over a centerpiece mountain, apparently (who wouldn't, though). 

From the ledge I was back into the woods (you have to sing that), almost impaled a very slow moving toad, and then resurfaced onto another ledge facing away from Cardigan that had a truly life-changing breeze with obstructed back-lit views of the whites - I was excited to look this way later when the sun angle was better.

There was a short, steep descent back into the woods, where the Manning Trail crossed a cool, mossy, mini gorge-like drainage with tannin died water. The trail continued into state land where there were many past-bloom trillium. Up next was a massive boulder that led out of the woods onto a large, steep slab, where I saw a young snake!

There were more views into the whites from the Dukes Ski Trail junction - man, I was loving this hike. I was moving slowly, one because it was steep, but also because of the amount of photos I was taking. I also foolishly thought this was the "final push," which I would think a few more times on this trail.

Soon enough I was back into the woods, getting screamed at by a red squirrel, and then back out of the woods, continuing my climb up to another false summit area of firescrew, which had a dicey scramble that made my knee angry. My lungs were having a rough time - should have brought my inhaler - oops... At least there was a great view of Mt. Cardigan from here!

From this point, this trail remained in the "slab lands." The trail was tricky to follow at times, but if you pay attention you'll be fine. There were some lovely, reflective vernal pools, and eventually I made it to the actual top, maked by a cairn! It was now 60 degrees with a lovely breeze. Skies were crystal clear with a distant haze. I decided to not take a break here and keep my momentum going to Mt. Cardigan, which still looked absent of humans.

The trail sign for the Mowglis Trail had seen better days, but it was clear which direction to turn to (the one toward the giant granite dome, left). The moving views were beautiful as the mountain slowly crept closer with its impressively steep and smooth rocky face. I was really questioning why I was doing this during my brutally sleep drive, but yet again, it was worth it. 

The Mowglis Trail cotninued the into/out of the woods trend. I eventually stashed my poles in my pack near the col, where there were many pretty, small white flower. I also saw my first person of the day! A man standing atop Mt. Cardigan enjoying the view, which also made it look much closer than it had before.  

The final push was a steep, sketchy scramble out of the woods onto a steep slab with good grip. There were five people on the summit split into three parties (two couples and a single). It was windy and beautiful. I sat facing away from the sun to allow the sweat to evaporate off my back! I had a small snack at 8:15am, found a USGS marker (I eventually found a second where the man was standing, but he was standing on it so I didn't get a photo), but didn't stay too long as the flies were starting to get annoying. I found it ironic that the best views of the day so far were of Mt. Cardigan. Don't get me wrong, I love a 360-degree view, but I just loved seeing the mountain close-up. 

I took a few final photos, daydreamed about watching a sunset here, decided I wouldn't climb the stumpy fire tower, and continued my journey onto the ridiculously well-blazed and marked West Ridge Trail. The ground was still completely bare with really neat rock veins in every which direction. South Peak and Orange Mountain looked absolutely miniscule from this vantage point - I'm glad I'm ending with them!

The West Ridge Trail, as I mentioned, was rididiculously well-blazed. Many tall cairns, bright orange paint on the ground, and an occasional blaze post, too. Views toward Vermont were lovely as I descended. Once into the woods, the trail came to a wider cairn. Here, the Ranger Cabin Trail turns left (the sign read .2 mi to South Ridge Trail). 

The Ranger Cabin Trail was much less traveled with some careful footing on wet, mossy ledges, but nothing too dicey. I was back in business taking out spider webs by the thousands while following more bright orange blazes while also swatting at bugs, who were getting more annoying.

At a height of land, the South Ridge Trail turns to the right and heads back into the woods (into some beautiful, mossy woods). The trail emerges out onto open ledges again where I had my first bathroom break of the true hike - apparently I was quite dehydrated. On the bright side, once I turned around I saw a great view of Mt. Cardigan!

The South Ridge Trail continued on, eventually reaching the long and narrow summit cairn of South Peak. I really enjoyed seeing Firescrew behind Cardigan, and I still had a view of Orange Mountain, which still looked tiny. 

The trail follows open ledges to "Rimrock," which has great views into Vermont. From here, the Skyland Trail turns left and continues toward Orange Mountain.

The Skyland Trail initially plummets down a steep, scrambly descent, filled with rocks, roots, and slabs. There were three sags that felt like cols, all very wooded and wild feeling. One was filled with ferns, one with moss, and one in a transitional zone. It was clear I was still off the beaten path. Eventually, I was finally ascending again toward Orange Mountain. I was extra pleased with myself for saving the smallest mountain for last. 

Slowly emerging onto open ledges again, the Skyland Trail provided views back to Mt. Cardigan with a good amount of bugs. There was some very squishy mud followed by another rugged climb that led to a great, breezy viewpoint of South Peak, Mt. Cardigan, and Firescrew. I tried to sit down for a moment but bugs immediately arrived so I kept it moving. 

The summit of Orange Mountain was marked by a trail sign and soon after I found my favorite view of the day! It was windy at this view which kept the bugs at bay, and I could see South Peak, Cardigan, Firescrew, the White Mountains (Moosilauke, Franconia, Presidentails, Osceolas/Tecumseh, and the Sandwich Range), a small gap, then the Ossipees, another small gap, and then the Belknaps. I was completely alone, it was 63 degrees, and it was snack time! I was really glad to have found this view toward the latter half of my hike, and the latter half of my 52 With-a-View journey. It was really fun to be able to look out and identify all these peaks I've climbed, and make note of the ones I haven't yet!

After a really lovely break, it was time to continue on. The Vistamont junction was just after this view, and soon enough I was back into the land of a million bugs - still no biting! Just annoying. The views of Cardigan diminished with every step, and I was delighted that my best bathroom break indicated I was back to being adequiately hydrated!

Once fully into the woods, the Vistamont Trail starts an initially steep descent with soft footing. I even passed two piles of moose poop! It wasn't incredibly fresh, but being so far away from humans (I still haven't seen anyone beside the folks at the summit, I was now on alert.

The trail got green very fast and soon the treadway was more or less obstructed by hobblebush, which kept things interesting! It was clear this trail does not get much love (which it definitely should). There was some kind of occasional footprint, either human or moose, but the trail was too dry to tell which for sure. The lower the trail got in elevation, the more obstructed the footpath was, but the blazes definitely helped. Relief began to come when the trail crossed a dry drainage and began to descend on steep switchbacks to a brook crossing (it was tragically too buggy for photos). 

The trail climbs just enough to be cruel after the brook crossing - it's important to stay humble. There was a beefy blowdown at the Clark Trail junction (0.7 miles to Holt now) where I had a nasty bout of flatulance. The trail became much easier after this junction, functioning more as a woods walk now. There were some bog bridges and soon enough I was at "Grand Junction" - only 1.1 miles to go!

From there, the trail follows the Bailey Brook through some lovely, meandering woods. I passed a LARGE group of teens headed toward Grand Junction - maybe a guided hike? Not sure. I crossed the brook on a  relatively new bridge and continued on. It was now 69 degrees and somehow not too buggy!

I decided last-minute to follow the "All Persons"/Nature Trail back, which was a great decision. The trail was on a wide gravel pathway with gentle grades and storybook pages on kiosks. The trail meanders around the Bailey Brook with some nice water views and break areas. 

Finally back at the original Manning Trail I hiked out of the woods, back past the lodge, and back to the car, where it was miraculously still not too buggy! Interestingly, there were many people parked alongside the road where there were many "No Parking" signs. I was tired, but I absolutely loved this hike!

[Edit from the future...] I noticed a sore throat sensation throughout this hike which was a bit annoying but nothing too bad... it almost felt like strep throat (I was dubbed the "king of strep throat" in the 2018-2019 school year). When I got back to the car I noticed what looked like 5ish small canker sores on the back of my throat, and normal-sized tonsils. The white dots made me think strep but unaffected tonsils said otherwise? I ended up going to urgent care and they said it's probably just a virus of some sort. I never learned what it was!

Step-By-Step

- Park at Cardigan Lodge.

- Start hike on Manning Trail (Yellow).

- Summit Firescrew, continue to terminus.

- At terminus, turn left onto Mowglis Trail (White).

- Summit Mt. Cardigan.

- Follow cairns and blazes onto West Ridge Trail (Orange).

- At next jct., turn left onto Ranger Cabin Trail (Orange).

- At next jct., turn right onto South Ridge Trail (White).

- Summit South Peak, continue on South Ridge Trail.

- At terminus (Rimrock), turn left onto Skyland Trail (White).

- Summit Orange Mountain, continue on Skyland Trail.

- Soon after the summit, turn left onto Vistamont Trail (Yellow).

- At terminus, turn right onto Holt Trail (Yellow).

- After bridge, turn right onto Nature Trial/All-Persons Trail (Yellow).

- At terminus, turn right onto Manning Trail and follow to parking lot.

Building an Accessible Trail on Mount Cardigan

by Matt Morris

        It’s a perfect summer day in New Hampshire. The trails are dry, and the skies are clear. A walk down any trail could be the start of a new adventure. For outdoor enthusiasts with disabilities, it’s a feeling that can be hard to come by.

        Trails designed for wheelchairs and people with varying abilities are few and far between. Information about safety and accessibility features is often limited. And with changing conditions, a trail could be safe one day and unmanageable the next.

        The lack of accessible paths could be keeping millions of people from experiencing the outdoors. More than one-in-ten Americans have impaired mobility to the point of “serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs,” according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. An outing in nature for these people can be difficult.

        In recent years, trail builders have stepped up to the challenge of designing trails that are more universally accessible to all users.

        “What is happening in the trail industry overall is that there is a really big push toward all access trail [building],” says AMC Trail Crew Field Supervisor Ellie Pelletier.

        Pelletier is at the forefront of just such a trail project. In 2022, AMC’s Professional Trail Crew began constructing a new All Persons Trail (APT) at AMC Cardigan Lodge, on  New Hampshire’s Cardigan Mountain. Once completed, the trail will be a one-mile loop that’s accessible to wheelchairs, hikers with walkers, strollers, and more. As the name suggests, it will be a trail for everyone.

        As project manager of the Cardigan APT, Pelletier juggles the complex logistics of trail building and oversees both professional trail crews and AMC volunteers. AMC staff and volunteers worked more than 3,400 combined hours on the Cardigan APT in 2022. In 2023, they plan to finish the job.

A Trail For Everyone

        The Cardigan All Persons Trail was the vision of the late Andrew Norkin, former AMC Director of Trails.

        Norkin developed a rough plan to convert a trail section near Cardigan Lodge, known as the Upper Nature Trail, into an all-access path. Tragically, Norkin passed away from cancer in 2021 before construction could begin. The AMC New Hampshire Chapter Trails Committee began internally fundraising for the project. Meanwhile, Norkin’s successor, Alexander DeLucia, won a major grant from the New Hampshire Recreational Trails Program. With funding secured, AMC broke ground in May 2022.

        According to Pelletier, the reasons for selecting the Upper Nature Trail as the site for an All Persons Trail were clear.

        “When we started, [the Upper Nature Trail] was close to the grades that it needed to be for an all-access trail. So, it’s an easy conversion with a little bit of rerouting.”

        That’s not to say construction has always been as simple as Pelletier makes it sound. Trail work is physically demanding and requires extensive skill training. Staff also began work on the project four weeks later than expected due to a funding delay.  Despite this setback, Pelletier and her team were able to complete more than half of the trail surface in 2022’s summer season.

The Construction Process

        The Cardigan All Persons Trail is being built based on U.S. Forest Service Accessibility Guidelines for Recreational Trails, including grade, width, and surfacing requirements.

        To level the Cardigan All Person Trail’s surface, staff ran an excavator over the trail, removing about six inches of leaf and organic matter. They then filled the space with a surfacing material, dirt berms, and crushed stone. The new surface offers a hard and stable platform that’s easier for individuals of all abilities to use. In 2022, Trail Staff used 264 tons of surfacing material and 168 tons of crushed stone.

        In three places on the trail, staff and volunteers dismantled existing, inaccessible bridges with new 25-foot bridges and ramps. Workers also installed four closed culverts and 143 linear feet of drainage to help water pass beneath the trail. This will keep the path dry and easier for individuals of all abilities to use. More will be needed in 2023.

        Another focus is the trail’s grade, or steepness. Universal access trails don’t need to be completely flat. But, according to Pelletier, they are required to have pullouts (rest areas) at set distances from each other, depending on how steep a trail section is.

        “One [accessibility] qualification is that nowhere on the trail can it be more than a 12% grade. But then it goes down from there in stages. Something that’s a 10 to 12% grade, you can have on the trail. But it requires a pullout every 10 feet… Anywhere from 8 to 10% grade has [a pullout] every 30 feet. Anything below 5%, you know you can go forever, and it’s considered accessible.”

        At the end of the construction, Pelletier will use a smart level, clinometer, and measuring wheel to measure the grade across the trail. This will be used to create signage that describes the features of the trail and allows hikers to “make their own determination on whether or not they feel like they’ll be able to use this trail,” says Pelletier.

Team Effort

        A key feature of work on the Cardigan All Persons Trail, and many other AMC trail projects, is the collaboration between professional trail staff and volunteers. While some tools, like the mini excavators and motorized wheelbarrows, are reserved for the pros, volunteers take responsibility for some of the most important jobs on the project. This independence is because of Pelletier’s trust in the volunteers, many of whom have years of trail experience. It’s also a quirk of scheduling.

        “The most convenient time for a volunteer to work is really the weekend. And the least convenient time for the professional trail crew to work is the weekend,” Pelletier says with a chuckle.

        Some of the primary responsibilities of the volunteers have included taking apart the old bridges and hauling out the old material, clearing small vegetation from sections and attaching the railings onto the new bridges.

        There’s still a lot of work ahead on the Cardigan All Persons Trail. AMC staff hopes to have it completed in the Fall of 2023. The trail, however, could be just the start of a push for accessible options. AMC is constructing another all-access trail at AMC Noble View Outdoor Center. Pelletier sees it as part of an industry-wide shift towards inclusivity on recreational trails. “There’s more opportunity for trail organizations such as AMC to be able to get the skill level required to build these [All Person] trails.”

Trail Descriptions

"Mt. Cardigan (3,149 ft.) and Vicinity" from Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide, 5th Ed. (2021)

The most outstanding mountain of west-central New Hampshire, Mt. Cardigan straddles two towns: Orange (near Canaan) and Alexandria (near Bristol). Excellent views are available from teh steep-sided rock dome of Mt. Cardigan itself, as well as from South Peak (2,862 ft.) and from Firescrew (3,063 ft.), the north peak, named for the spiral of fire and smoke that rose from it during an 1855 blaze that denuded the upper slopes of the mountain. Though relatively low in elevation, Mt. Cardigan provides a great variety of terrain, from hardwood forests to the windswept summit. Its trails vary, going from gentle woods walks to east West Ridge Trail (the easiest route up the mountain, and a traditional first "big mountain climb" for children) to tough Holt Trail, with upper ledges that constitude one of the more difficult scrambles among the regular hiking trails in New England. From the east, you can make a fine circuit by ascending Mt. Cardigan via Holt Trail, Holt-Clark Cutoff, and Clark Trail (or by taking the much more challenging Holt Trail all the way) and returning over Firescrew via Mowglis and Manning Trails. From the west, you can make an excellent loop via West Ridge, Clark, and South Ridge trails.

        The upper slopes of Mt. Cardigan and, to a lesser extent, Firescrew consist of bare ledges that are completely exposed to the weather. Some of them are quite steep. Use caution if the ledges are wet; they can be dangerous when snow or ice is present. If stormy weather is forecast, avoid the exposed areas. The summit of Mt. Cardigan, in particular, is no place to be caught during a thunderstorm. 

        In additionl to the vistas from Mt. Cardigan, there are excellent views from several of the smaller mountains on the two long ridges that run east toward Newfound Lake. On the northeast ridge, Little Sugarloaf (997 ft.), Big Sugarloaf (1,374 ft.), and Bear Mtn. (1,844 ft.) are easy to reach and offer good views of the lake. Farther west along this ridge, there are viewpoints on spur ridges of Oregon Mtn. (2,246 ft.) and Mowglis Mtn. (2,370 ft.). (Although some sections are lightly used and obscure, Elwell Trail travels this ridge all the way from the edge of Newfound Lake to the north shoulder of Mt. Caridgan.) On the southeast ridge - traversed by Skyland Trail - Grafton Knob (2,201 ft.), Crane Mtn. (2,436 ft.), and especially Orange Mtn. (also known as Gilman Mtn., 2,684 ft.) offer interesting outlooks from various open ledges. 

        Volunteer maintenance efforts at Mt. Cardigan include those by the Cardigan Highlanders Volunteer Trail Crew (cardiganhighlanders.com). AMC's Cardigan Volunteer Trail Crew also sponsors several work weekends each year. On some trails, the footway may be obscured by fast-growing vegetation during the summer months, particularly later in the season, when shrubs and berry bushes reach their maximum growth. Be alert and be prepared to return to your starting point if a trail is obscure or impassable. It woul dbe wise to check with newenglandtrailconditions.com and Cardigan Lodge before attempting the less popular trails.

        Mt. Cardigan forms the northern end of the Quabbin to Cardigan Initiative (Q2C), a major, long-term conservation project that involves more than 20 public and private partners, including AMC. Launched in 2003, the Q2C is a collaborative, landscape-scale effort to conserve a 100-mile span of highland in north-central Massachusetts and western New Hampshire. This 2 million-acrew region stretches from the Quabbin Reservoir northward to Mt. Cardigan and the White Mountain National Forest and is bounded by the Connecticut River valley on the west and the Merrimack River valley on the east. It is one of the largest unfragmented and ecologically significant areas of forest in central New England.

"Manning Trail" from Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide, 5th Ed. (2021)

This trail was constructed by AMC as a memorial to the three Manning brothers - Robert, Charles, and Francis - who were killed by a trail during a blizzard in 1924 while hiking on a section of railroad near Glencliff that was once frequently used as a shortcut between Dartmouth Outing Club trails. The lower part of the trail is easy and provides access to beautiful Welton Falls. The upper part of the trail is fairly steep and rough in places and crosses many open ledges on Firescrew, with fine views.

        [...].

        Manning Trail continues along the wide gravel road that leads west from the lodge parking area, coinciding with Holt Trail for 0.3 mi. and passing junctions with Back 80 Trail and a spur to a camping area, both on the right. Manning Trail then diverges right onto an older woods road (Holt Trail continues left on another woods road), soon passing a group camping area on the right. At 2.1 mi. it bears right off the woods road and begins a moderate ascent, crossing Allieway Ski Trail at 2.4 mi. After an easier section, the trail turns right and climbs, fairly steeply at times with rough footing, crossing a ledge with a climpse of Mt. Cardigan. It crosses a small brook, runs briefly in the brookbed, and at 3.2 mi. emerges on open ledges with fine views. From here, the trail climbs a steep and rough pitch through the woods (use caution in wet or icy conditions) and then continues steeply up more open ledges. At the top of the pitch, it swings right and follows cairns and paint markings across broad ledges, climbing at moderate then easy grades to Mowglis Trail, just below the summit of Firescrew. A left turn onto Mowglis Trail leads to the summit of Mt. Cardigan.

"Mowglis Trail" from Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide, 5th Ed. (2021)

This trail provides access to Mt. Cardigan and Firewscrew from the north. The northern 3.5 mi. follows logging roads with minimal markings through areas that may be actively logged; the southern 2.2 mi. is blazed and maintained. [...].

        [...]. 

        [...]. Here, the trail turns sharply right and climbs to the summit of Firescrew at 5.1 mi., where it meets Manning Trail ascending from the left (east). Mowglis Trail then descends southa cross wide ledges deeply marked by glacial action and passes an unofficial and unblazed side trail on the left that descends 0.2 mi. and 200 ft. to Grotto Cave and a smaller boulder cave. The main trail continues south,a scending steeply over open ledges to the summit of Mt. Cardigan.

"West Ridge Trail" from Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide, 5th Ed. (2021)

This is the main trail to Mt. Caridgan from the west, as well as the shortest and easiest route to the summit. [...].

        [...]. Shortly beyond that point, a branch path called Ranger Cabin Trail (marked by a cairn) leads to the right for 0.2 mi. to South Ridge Trail. West Ridge Trail - marked by cairns, paint on the rocks, and blaze boards - ascends the broad, open summit ledges and joins Clark Trail at a large cairn (sign) just below the summit.

        Descending, follow white blazes southwest for 50 yd. to the junction with Clark Trail (sign) and bear right to stay on West Ridge Trail, following cairns and orange blazes.

"South Ridge Trail" from Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide, 5th Ed. (2021)

This trail provides access to Mt. Cardigan, South Peak, and Rimrock and also makes it possible a scenic loop in combination with West Ridge Trail. it is blazed in orange below Rimrock and white above. South Ridge Trail diverges right from West Ridge Trail 0.5 mi. from the state park parking area, crosses a brook, and climbs - steeply and roughly at times - to the open ledges of Rimrock, where there is a good view to the west. From there, it crosses Skyland Trail at 0.7 mi. (Descending, follow the left of two lines of cairns on the ledge below Rimrock.)

        The trail, now blazed in white, continues across marked ledges, with good views of Mt. Cardigan ahead, and passes the open summit of South Peak on the right at 1.0 mi.; then it turns left and descends into teh woods to the junction with Hurricane Gap Trial on the right. The trail dips to a col and then climbs to a T junction. Here, it turns sharply right (Ranger Cabin Trail leads left 0.2 mi. to West Ridge Trail) [...].

"Skyland Trail" from Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide, 5th Ed. (2021)

This trail runs from Alexandria Four Corners to West Ridge Trail just below Cliff's Bridge. It follows the western and southern boundaries of Shem Valley, and over 4.5 mi. crosses five of the six peaks that extend south and southeast from Mt. Caridgan's summit. Blazed in white except for the last 0.2 mi. (blazed in orange), Skyland Trail is lightly used, particuarly south of Orange Mtn., where it must be followed with great care. It is, however, a very scenic route, with several fine outlooks. 

        [...].

        [...]. Skyline Trail then ascends steadily to Orange Mtn. at 3.3 mi., where Vistamont Trail enters on the right just before an open ledge with fine views north and easy, particularly of Mt. Cardigan and Firewscrew.

        From the ledge Skyland Trail swings left up to the summit (with an excellent outlook southwest from a ledge a short distance to the left) and then bears right across ledges with additional viewpoints. It descends steadily, with rather rough footing, to a broad col, runs nearly level for 0.2 mi., and then climbs fairly steeply to the open ledges of Rimrock (good view west) at 4.3 mi., where it crosses South Ridge Trail. [...].

"Vistamont Trail" from Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide, 5th Ed. (2021)

This attractive trail connects Holt Trail with Skyland Trail at Orange Mtn. (also known as Gilman Mtn.) via Holt-Clark Cutoff. Blazed in yellow, it leaves Holt-Clark Cutoff (cathedral Forest Trail) left about 100 yd. above Grand Junction. Vistamont Trail rises southeast, then southwest over a broad, low ridge, where it crosses Clark Trail at 0.6 mi. It drops to cross a branch of Clark Brook and then ascends steadily by switchbacks up the east spur of Orange Mtn. The grade eases at 1.4 mi., and the trail soon swings right (west) onto open ledges, where it is marked by cairns. it passes a good south outlook, dips slightly, and then climbs moderately on ledges and through scrub, with occasional views of Mt. Cardigan, to Skyland Trail 80 yd. southeast of the rocky summit, where there are fine views.

"Holt Trail" from Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide, 5th Ed. (2021)

[...].

        From Cardigan Lodge, yellow-blazed Holt Trail (coinciding here with Manning Trail) follows the wide gravel road that leads west from the parking area, passing junctions with Back 80 Trail and a camping area, both on the right, and then Nature Trail on the left. Manning Trail diverges right at 0.3 mi., while Holt Trail forks left onto a woods road. Nature Trail rejoins on the left at 0.4 mi., and Holt Trail continues on teh woods raod. It crosses the Croo Bridge over Bailey Brook at 0.8 mi. below a scenic cascade and continues on a fairly rough and rocky footway past a restricted view of Elizabeth Holt Falls to Grand Junction. [...].

"Nature Trail" from Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide, 5th Ed. (2021)

This short yellow-blazed trail connects Manning and Holt Trails and offers pleasant walking beside Bailey Brook. It is an autism-aware trail that includes sensory-friendly activity stations and additional markers alerting hikers to what's coming up next on the route. Starting 0.1 mi. west of Cardigan Lodge, Nature Trail turns left off Manning Trail (sign) and passes through an area of campsires. It veers left at Site 10, crosses Bailey Brook on a footbridge, then turns right. The trail passes a junction at 0.1 mi. where Kimball Ski Trail (blue blazes) diverges left, then continues an easy ramble alongside the brook, climbing slightly. At 0.3 mi. it bears right at a fork where Bailey Brook Ski Trail (blue blazes) departs on the left, crosses the brook again on a footbridge, and ends at junction with Holt Trail at 0.4 mi.

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