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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mowglis Mountain, Cilley's Cave, Firescrew, Grotto Cave, Mt. Cardigan, Rimrock, Orange Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Back 80 Trail, Elwell Trail, herd path, Hanging Rock spur trail, Mowglis Trail, Grotto Cave spur trail, Clark Trail, South Ridge Trail, Skyland Trail, Vistamount Trail, Woodland Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, July 24, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Initially tried to ascend from Orange Road (Class 6 road) near Sculptured Rocks in Groton, as this is an access point to the northern end of the Mowglis Trail. Unfortunately, I ran into several roadblocks (logging, businesses, etc) -- even so, would not advise using this route, given the how rough the road is (high-clearance vehicles only, especially after the first half mile or so). Eventually drove around to Alexandria to the AMC Lodge to begin. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: all rock-hoppable 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Great to finally meet Craig, the focal person for Cardigan area trail maintenance! He helped me find some of my objectives - THANKS!!! Anyway, in terms of maintenance, here are my mental notes. Back 80 Trail - excellent, beautiful forest, good trail around the beaver ponds; Elwell Trail to Mowglis Mtn - yikes... getting very grown in, especially across the logging cuts, but, flagging is very evident in the overgrown areas except for one logging cut where I lost my way; Mowglis Tr - beautiful trail, tho, I had to really hunt for Hanging Rock sign :) Skyland/Vistamont/Clark/Woodland - really beautiful forest - some work in progress on Woodland. Crag Shelter has tyvek/repair underway.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: didn't see many 
Bugs
Bugs: not bad because it was windy!! YAY!!! 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Goal was to finally find Cilley's Cave... third time *was* the charm - yippee!!!! Very fun large loop. Spur to Cilley's Cave off Mowglis Trail did have a little cairn and rope was pretty solid-feeling down to the cave. I had to really hunt around for the spur to Grotto Cave - I went up on the Firescrew slabs to see the cairns off in the distance; followed cairns over the edge-- kind of slippery in spots and a long descent but very neat area to explore.

Quite the crowds on the summit cone of Cardigan today - kept thinking there must be a rollercoaster up there based on all the screaming you can hear from as far as Rimrock!!! It was good to know people were having a good time... at least I hope that's why they were screaming :) ?

Just beautiful forests - I don't think I had been on some of these trails before - they are really awesome!!! Beautiful streams as well - what a gem!!!!  
Name
Name: Becca Munroe 
E-Mail
E-Mail: beccahiker@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-07-24 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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