The Wilderness of Cardigan

September 27-29 2015

By Nick M.

Green Group D1B3

Cardigan mountain is located near the middle of our state of New Hampshire and is bordered by Bristol, which is slightly southeast of the mountain itself, and Orange. Cardigan peak is divided in half, belonging to the towns of Alexandria and Orange. The base of the mountain is located at N43 degrees 39 minutes 11.8 seconds W71 degrees 52 minutes 46.5 seconds, and the summit of the Cardigan peak is located at N43 degrees 38 minutes 58 seconds W71 degrees 54 minutes 50.7 seconds, and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, and of the tiny AMC hut that peeks out from among the spruce, pine and american beech trees at the base.

Cardigan mountain offers many unique experiences, as well as opportunities to get in touch with nature and enjoy the beauty of mother Earth. It features an AMC lodge, where hikers and passers by are invited to stay overnight and enjoy good food, a comfortable bed, and warm place to rest their weary legs. American Beech trees are very common around the lodge area, as are white pines. As you proceed up the trails leading to the firescrew peak, the trees thin and decrease with elevation, and rocks and glacial boulders become more and more prominent. A site near the middle to lower section of the hike has an abundance of rotten or old birch trees which attracts a slug population. Our AMC tour guide had us lick the slug, offering an experience many of us were new to, and would never experience again. At the summit of the mountain, many physical features are visible to the naked eye, such as the surrounding peaks and the large glacial boulder deposits left by the ice age nearly 80,000 year ago. The peak of cardigan was barren, with nearly no shrubs visible and little stalks of grass clinging to the bare rock. Firescrew however hosted an abundant population of diminutive spruce and pine trees, as well as shrubbery and mosses which grow by the pools of water that gather in the rocks. This is an example of a region because as you climb up the mountain, the trees decreased in size and number. This data created a region because it creates a spread in data, where trees are, and where they are not. The summit of firescrew peak is close by, and we could see our friends and AMC guides hiking along the ridgeline leading to the fire tower that marks the summit of Cardigan peak. At the base of the mountain, a small pond sits parallel to the AMC lodge, with many small streams feeding it and causing it to swell when rain comes. Behind the pond, the forests are thick and hilly, with many rocks and roots as well as Ash and Spruce trees.

Cultural Geography is also abundant near cardigan mountain. The peak itself is divided amongst the two towns it rises from, Orange, and Alexandria New Hampshire. The AMC hut at the base of the peak offers great food, and great conversation with the experience hikers, rock climbers, and AMC guides that are passing by. Cardigan has three surrounding peaks, Firescrew, Orange mountain, and Cardigan peak, as well as many different trails that will give people a difficult, moderate, or easy hike depending on their skill and experience. Some of the trails were made long ago, while others are more modern, as can be seen on the condition of the trail and the amount of trees growing alongside. Overall, Cardigan Mountain is a must-stay for all nature lovers, hikers, and anyone interested in enjoying the beauty of the surrounding world.

We were at Cardigan for three fantastic days, a very rainy Wednesday, a muddy and slick Thursday, and a hazy Friday.