A great local, easy to get to hike is Mt Cardigan. It's great for beginners and it was my first hike when I started hiking. It's a short hike to a great pay-off at the top of the mountain. You can see views of Vermont mountains - Okemo, Killington and Ascutney - and New Hampshire's Ragged, Sunapee and Kearsage Moutains on the Southwest side and the White Mountains on the Northeast side of the peak.
Take Rt. 4 towards Canaan from Rt. 89, when you get into the center of Canaan, follow the signs to Mt. Cardigan (down Rt. 118 and the Orange/Cardigan Mountain Road past Canaan Speedway). The road leads upward towards the West Side Hiking Trails parking lot. There you can pick up a free map of the region.
Head up the West Ridge Trail right near the shelter. It's a very easy trail to follow, blazed in orange. It's a awesome hike through the woods up rocky terrain and make shift stairs. Close to the peak the treeline falls back and the trails turns to rock under foot. The mountain is mostly bare until the peak. You can catch plenty of views of the mountains of Vermont. You are just getting a preview of what's at the peak.
Take Rt. 4 towards Canaan from Rt. 89, when you get into the center of Canaan, follow the signs to Mt. Cardigan (down Rt. 118 and the Orange/Cardigan Mountain Road past Canaan Speedway). The road leads upward towards the West Side Hiking Trails parking lot. There you can pick up a free map of the region.
Head up the West Ridge Trail right near the shelter. It's a very easy trail to follow, blazed in orange. It's a awesome hike through the woods up rocky terrain and make shift stairs. Close to the peak the treeline falls back and the trails turns to rock under foot. The mountain is mostly bare until the peak. You can catch plenty of views of the mountains of Vermont. You are just getting a preview of what's at the peak.
You'll see the watch tower, then you know you're close. Follow the stone heads along the trail to the peak. Once there you'll be able to see many New Hampshire and Vermont mountains and lakes. It's simply breathtaking. The clearer the day, the further you can see. Today it was a cloudy day with a few showers developing, you could see the weather patterns on the peaks of other mountains and valleys.
The top of Cardigan was made bare by a fire in 1855. It burnt away most of the vegetation and soil and it still remains the same today. It's easy to spot Mt. Cardigan from other mountains and viewpoints because of it's bare peak. No trees means - nothing in the way of your view. It's a one of a kind.
View of Killington and Okemo
View of the White Mountains under cover
On the way back down you can go back the trail you can up, but I recommend the South Ridge Trail, blazed in white. It goes to the second peak and to Rimrock. It's just another way up and down the mountain with different views of the landscape. Once you get to Rimrock, take a right down the Skyland Trail (blazed in orange) toward the West Ridge Trail. You'll know when you hit the West Ridge Trail again because you'll see the bridge to your right. Head back down the West Ridge Trail (to your left) to the parking lot. There are restrooms at the far left of the parking in a gray building.
If your looking for an alternative, less crowded, way I suggest up the South Ridge Trail and down the West Trail for your next visit to Cardigan you can even fit in the Skyland Trail towards Mt. Gilman, a mile away from the Rimrock junction. The best part about Cardigan is that there are always families and large groups there enjoying the hike. It's a hike for everyone.
Let me know what you think when you get a chance to check the mountain out.
Here's the link to learn more: http://www.friendsofmountcardigan.org/
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