If we are defining
southern New Hampshire as that part of the
state south of White Mountain National Forest,
then we have a very short list of 3000' LPNPs:
Firescrew;
3064'; Orange; USGS
That's
it -- the one and only. About a half-mile NNE
of Cardigan (3155'), it has a prominence of
about 120'. The easy approach and above-tree-line
feel of its open ledges make it an excellent
candidate for someone just getting started in
winter hiking. I've seen the rime ice build
up a foot thick on the summit sign. You
really get that alpine feeling on this little
mountain.
From
the AMC Lodge in Alexandria, there are
numerous trails offering different loop
options ranging from 5 to 10 miles with a
vertical gain of about 1700'. From the State
Forest parking area, you can go up and over
Cardigan. Round trip is as little as 4 miles
with a 1400' elevation gain.
While
you're at it, why not bag Cardigan Mountain
State Forest's other LPNPs:
South
Peak; 2864'; Orange; AMC(N)
Rimrock; 2820+; Orange; AMC(N)
And if
you're really ambitious, or if you can do a
car drop, add:
Crane
Mtn.; 2423'; Orange; USGS
Brown Mtn.; 2260+; Alexandria; USGS
Oregon Mtn.; 2239'; Alexandria; USGS
And if
you make it to Oregon Mtn, check out Carter
Knob on Carter Gibbs Trail. It shows up on
AMC(N) but I don't know what the heck it is.
