Orange, NH (USA)

The weather had been iffy for the last few days so AT miles (and the long drive to a trailhead) seemed less appealing.  Instead, I looked for a hike closer to home and eventually decided to climb Mount Cardigan, the dominant peak (3155 feet) above the Mascoma Valley.  During my walks on the Northern Rail Trail, I’ve seen this mountain from several view points and it looked like a nice challenge.  After a short drive east this morning, I arrived at the Cardigan State Park parking lot at 0900 - it was already almost full!  Fortunately, I managed to squeeze the Outback into the last spot and got started uphill (via the West Ridge Trail).  There were plenty of rocks and roots and the trail was pretty wet after last night’s deluge.  Fortunately, it wasn’t very steep.  Most of the other (many) visitors were parts of large family groups (LOTS of kids and dogs) and I had to strategically pass them when they stopped to avoid being in a long conga line.  The leisurely climb did lead to some nice conversations with locals and I learned a lot about nearby activities (climbs, paddles, dirt bike racing, polo).  Many times during the day, I was reminded of my climb up Mount Monadnock almost 35 years ago...  It was cool (mid 50s), overcast and windy but I felt very comfortable.  When I broke out on the ridge, however, the full force of the wind and the low temps (probably low 40s with wind-chill) at elevation hit me hard.  I’d only worn shorts and a t-shirt so it was no longer pleasant!  The views were spectacular, though.  I reached a point on the large, exposed rock face (in view of my target, the Fire Tower) where I said to myself “F this” and started back down again.  The descent was even more treacherous - I’d forgotten my trekking poles and the surfaces were steep and wet (I fell on my backside a few times).  Once I was back in the trees, it wasn’t so cold and windy and I decided I didn’t want to be finished just yet.  I’d noticed a side trail that went to a place called Rimrock so I took that on the way down.  I enjoyed the views there and it was a bit more shielded from the wind.  I could see the summit of Cardigan about a mile to the north - there were so many people walking around on it (they looked like ants) that I was glad I’d taken the detour.  Brenna called (1100) so I stood there for a while, talking to her and exposed to the elements.  Within about 20 minutes, my extremities were tingling and I knew it was time to go down.  There were fewer people coming up on the South Ridge Trail so I took this alternate route towards the car.  The trail was much steeper and rockier - I was glad I didn’t climb up that way!  Eventually, I reached the West Ridge Trail again and encountered even more people than I’d seen on the climb and I had to stop a LOT.  (I noticed that there were many more people wearing masks as it got later in the day...). I found my car (1145) after walking around four miles.  The parking lot was even more crowded and I passed more than a mile of cars parked along the road as I left the State Park - busy!  Was glad to have started out early in the morning (and in August)...  Mount Cardigan turned out to be a great place to climb and see the views but it’s just like all the other mountains in the area - come prepared!