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Mount Cardigan

Southern New Hampshire - NH52 With a View peak guide

1,914 ft Southern New Hampshire
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3,149 ft

Mount Cardigan

Mountain Overview
Mount Cardigan is a 3,149-foot member of the New Hampshire 52 With a View list.
General Info
Elevation
3,149 ft
Prominence
1,914 ft
Range
Southern New Hampshire
Trail type
Out & back
Difficulty
Moderate
Exposure
Medium - open summit ledges with wind exposure.
Typical time
1.6–2.6 hours
Best seasons
Late spring–fall; winter possible with traction on exposed summit rock.
Water availability
Limited - seasonal water low; none reliable near summit.
Cell reception
Spotty - often better on summit; variable lower down.
List status
Current — 2025-06 revision
First Photo & Camera
Mountain
Mount Cardigan
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Description
Mount Cardigan is a 3,149-foot member of the New Hampshire 52 With a View list.
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Area Map

NH52WAV area map with summit marker and available nearby trail geometry.

Peak area map

Static map preview

Mount Cardigan: summit area with linked trail context.

Summit: 43.6496, -71.9144

Trails: West Ridge Trail (West Ridge trailhead), Manning/Holt/Clark loop from AMC Cardigan Lodge

Route details

West Ridge Trail (West Ridge trailhead)
Distance
3.0 mi
Elevation gain
1250 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail type
Out & back
Manning/Holt/Clark loop from AMC Cardigan Lodge
Distance
5.5 mi
Elevation gain
1950 ft
Difficulty
Moderate/Difficult
Trail type
Loop

Current Summit Weather

NOAA / NWS point forecast for this summit location.

Astronomy

Sun and moon timing for this peak.

USNO Snapshot unavailable

Astronomy timing is temporarily unavailable.

Monthly Weather Averages

NOAA/NCEI nClimGrid · summit-specific grid cell
Summit-area climate context

These 1991–2020 gridded normals use the nearest NOAA cell to this summit. They describe regional climatology, not exact summit observations or a forecast.

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

0 / 3
Sources & method

Climate reference: NOAA nClimGrid cell nearest Mount Cardigan · 1991-2020 · 0.041666666666666664° grid

Solar reference: Mount Cardigan · 2026

Wind is not displayed: January hourly coverage is below the 80% threshold.

NOAA/NCEI · nClimGrid Monthly Gridded Climate Normals 1991-2020

Climatology describes typical conditions, not a forecast.

Parking & Access

West Ridge Trail (West Ridge trailhead)
Trailhead
West Ridge Trail (West Ridge trailhead)
Parking notes
State-park trailheads; follow posted regulations/fees. Busy on fair-weather weekends.

Difficulty Metrics

Difficulty class
Moderate
Typical completion time
1.6–2.6 hours
Route options
2

Risk & Preparation

Exposure
Medium - open summit ledges with wind exposure.
Weather exposure
High - open summit can be windy, cold, and icy.
Water availability
Limited - seasonal water low; none reliable near summit.
Cell reception
Spotty - often better on summit; variable lower down.
Emergency bailout
Multiple maintained trails descend to state-park trailheads; simplest is returning by ascent route.

Wilderness Safety

Data TBD for this route.

Trail & Terrain

Terrain
Well-used trails; rocky near top with open ledge and boulder sections.
Scramble sections
Minor - short hands-on rock steps depending on route.
View type
360° expansive - open summit ledge with fire-tower area.
Summit marker
Fire tower/site with cairns/signage on open summit.
Flora / environment
Hardwoods low; spruce-fir near summit; ledge/lichen communities at top.

Conditions & Access