"My first backpacking trip that involved a climb up a mountain. The hike began Tuesday the 13th around 2:15pm, heading up the Lambert Ridge Trail. The temperature was in the low-60s and the sun was shining through a thin layer of cloud. Spring had officially begun in the area, with several flowers in bloom and the lower slopes of the mountain ablaze with green leaves. Unfortunately, that also meant the bugs were out in full force; I had a cloud of dozens of mosquitoes surrounding me for the first half of the ascent, even after I applied bugspray. Luckily, the cliffs on Lambert Ridge were windy and offered a reprieve for lunch. The climb was slow-going as I adapted to the weight of the backpack. This was exasperated in the last half-mile, which featured several steep sections covered in wet rocks. Eventually the trail leveled out as I reached the summit plateau, and I reached my campsite, which was only an additional tenth of a mile down the trail, around 6:15pm. I only saw two other people on the hike, and neither of them were staying the night on the mountain, so I had the campsite with views to the southeast of Mt. Cardigan all to myself. I was unsure where the true summit of Smar..." — JCalautti • May 13, 2025

"Continued up Lambert Ridge Trail after a stop at the ridge outlooks on the way. Nice trail. Met some thru hikers along the way and at the tentsite, which was a pretty cool spot. The tower cab was open to get out of the breeze. Followed the Ranger Tr. down for something different. Not much mud left :)" — SteveM_StickMan • Jul 9, 2022

"Started out warm heading up Lambert Ridge. Lots a birds on the trail. Oven, Cat, Black Burnian Warbler, Golden Crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush and Winter Wren to name the most interesting ones. A little windy climbing the fire tower steps. But it was open at the top so that was interesting. Had lunch at the tent site, heard lots of thunder to the north and west. Sounded close so we headed down Ranger. Ran into light rain the last mile. " — Alohabuffy • May 16, 2021

"Headed out on the AT with Kira to snag a 52wav peak. We brought munchkins for the AT'ers and enjoyed plenty of nice hikers, a great view and perfect temps. The bugs were even tolerable!" — shay-shay • Jun 17, 2017