It was a beautiful autumn day, with the fall foliage reaching peak color at the higher elevations. So I left home early for Mount Cardigan, knowing the trailhead parking would fill quickly on a gorgeous holiday weekend. After nabbing one of the last parking spots, I strided quickly up the familiar West Ridge trail to the summit. I passed nearly all the earlier ascending hikers, and encountered one or two sunrise groups descending.
On arriving at the bare summit, a chill wind blowing hard from the west, I enjoyed 360º views across the rolling hills of central New Hampshire and west into Vermont. To the northeast, the big peaks of the White Mountains were clearly visible, with Mount Washington accentuated by a small white cloud… the only cloud in the sky.
The drive from Lyme to Canaan and back was worth the outing. There’s nothing prettier than driving a quiet dirt road winding through the New Hampshire forest during peak autumn color! See the gallery for more.
Hike stats:
Distance: 3.00 miles (4.83km)
Gain: 1,208 feet (368m)
Time: 1h33m including stops
GaiaGPS track
