Mount Cardigan via South Ridge Trail over Rimrock and South Peak

The route starts and ends at the Cardigan Mountain State Park trailhead and passes Rimrock, Cardigan's South Peak, and the summit of Cardigan. From the trailhead, follow the West Ridge Trail east 0.4 miles to the South Ridge Trail junction and turn right (south). Follow the trail to the open ledge of Cardigan Rimrock, at approximately 1 mile and 2,800 feet, then continue on the ridge to Cardigan South Peak at 2,864 feet — both exposed granite knobs with wide views south and west. From South Peak, continue roughly 0.2 miles north on the South Ridge Trail to its junction with the Clark Trail just below the main summit ridge. Turn left and climb the final open granite pitch to the Mount Cardigan summit, an estimated 1,300 vertical feet above the trailhead. Descend the West Ridge Trail 1.5 miles back to the trailhead. Route-finding across the open ledge sections of South Ridge and Clark Trails requires attention to cairns and blazes, particularly in poor visibility — this ridge sees less maintenance and fewer hikers than the West Ridge Trail. This route can also be completed in the opposite direction for a more moderate descent.