Mt Cardigan via West Ridge Tr 2/28

[Creag Nan Drochaid]

Best spring snow conditions in several years, it is a real treat to climb this mountain now. Depths over 2' by winter parking, over 3' by jct S. Ridge Tr, about 4' at Cliff's Bridge. Well-packed snowshoe trough meanders around several blowdowns and over drifts several feet deep at treeline, sometimes off route of summer trail. Much rime ice and blown snow on trees, most blazes covered. Know where you are or it is easy to get turned around even without a whiteout at treeline. Snowshoe tracks braid and wander aimlessly. Line of cairns marks trail well, but only above treeline.
Due to deep unconsolidated snow I'd say snowshoes are required. South Ridge Tr and Skyland Tr have had no traffic since snowstorm ending 2/27.