Oh! The Places You’ll Go: Mount Cardigan
Now that Pigstick and Derby have come and gone, by Dartmouth standards it’s officially spring. The trees are budding, the river is calling your name and it’s becoming harder and harder to sit through your 2A. With the long, brutal winter finally behind us, it’s time to embrace the warmer months ahead in the Upper Valley. When you’re too restless to laze on the Green, channel your crunchy DOC Trips self and head out for a hike. Whether you’ve already hiked it or not, Mount Cardigan should be at the top of your end-of-spring bucket list.
Mount Cardigan strikes the perfect middle ground between the Gile firetower and Mount Moosilauke. While Gile is ideal for a quick but rewarding hike and Moosilauke satisfies the craving for a challenging jaunt, Mount Cardigan provides the best of both worlds. Cardigan is a longer trek than Gile — about five miles round-trip — but less of a time commitment and physical endeavor than Moosilauke. The views from Cardigan rival both Gile and Moosilauke, as Cardigan’s bald top allows the eye to see for miles in every direction.
About 45 minutes from campus, Cardigan is close enough for an afternoon hike but far enough to qualify as a true escape from campus. The hike starts about halfway up the mountain, meaning you skip a good portion of the upward incline. The trail leads up through the woods, crossing a few streams and bridges along the way. At the summit, the trail reaches its steepest part. After traversing the granite slabs atop the mountain, you will be rewarded with sweeping, expansive views.
The beauty of Cardigan lies in its ideal ratio of effort to views. When you’re feeling up to a “real” hike and Gile isn’t cutting it but Moosilauke is too daunting, Cardigan is your best bet. You and your friends won’t be too out of breath to talk to each other on the way up, and once at the top you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views around. Pack a picnic, linger at the top of the mountain and enjoy the spring season that is (hopefully) here to stay.