Cardigan State Park in winter

[Grayjay]

Is the road open into Mount Cardigan on the west side in the winter?

 

[blacknblue]

Is the road open into Mount Cardigan on the west side in the winter?

No, they close the road in from Canaan in the wintertime. However, there is a parking area at the closure (good for 6-8 cars). It adds about 2/3 of a mile in each direction to the approach to the summer trailhead.

 

[Grayjay]

thanks for the info!

 

[Barkingcat]

Check New England Trail Conditions for recent reports on the road/West Side Trail.

I believe that one of the stewards of that trail has been up it a couple of times in recent weeks.

 

[blacknblue]

By the way, I always recommend going up to Rimrock/South Peak first, then looping over to the main summit. Same trailhead, but bear right/straight at the first trail junction to get to Rimrock. It makes for a fantastic loop and adds very little mileage. The scamper up to the main summit may be a mix of ice and rock right now, but with some creativity you shouldn't have a problem. It was pretty darn icy when I did it around New Years, but it may be a bit better now.
Enjoy it - a wonderful little hike!

 

[nartreb]

From experience, the section of Cardigan Mtn Rd / Burnt Hill Rd that remains open is just hilly and curvy enough that you may get into trouble in a 2wd sedan, at least with merely "all-season" tires. I made it to within twenty feet of the parking lot, but that last curving uphill put me sideways. Luckily I had rope, and it's easy to convince passing trucks to give you a pull when you're blocking the whole road.