Fire tower project may limit Mount Cardigan access through end of August, state says

July 20 update: On days when the helicopter is flying, all trails will be closed.

Hikers seeking to enjoy the trails and summit at Mount Cardigan this summer should be aware of periodically limited access due to an ongoing fire tower replacement project, the state says.

From July 17 through Aug. 31, there will be no access to the fire tower, either. 

The state’s Division of Forests and Lands operates 15 fire towers across the state, and they continue to be an integral part of wildfire detection statewide. The Mount Cardigan project is estimated to be completed by October.

“Throughout the project, a helicopter will be used to fly in materials for the new tower,” Chief Steve Sherman of the state’s Forest Protection Bureau said in a statement. “While many trails on Cardigan Mountain will remain available for hiking, it’s important that the public does not summit on days when the helicopter is in use, both for their own safety and for the safety of the crew.”

Mount Cardigan, located in Orange and Alexandria, has an elevation of 3,155 feet and is known for panorama views of west central New Hampshire.

Updates about the fire tower project – including notices of trail closures and days without summit access – will be posted on the Division of Forests and Lands and Department of Natural and Cultural Resources websites, as well as their Twitter accounts.