Carragain and East Burke for the 4th

[chomp]

The 4th of July was an amazing weekend, weather wise. On Saturday, VSA and I headed up to the Whites with her friend, Jill. On Friday night, we met up with some of the usual VFT crew - Darren, Bob and Gary. Saturday, Bob and Gary headed to Crawford Notch to hike Eisenhower, while the rest of us traveled down 302 to Sawyer River Road. I have been up on Carragain several times, but never with a great view. Everyone else in out group had never been to the summit.

At first, the weather looked like it might not cooperate, but soon we were hiking under clear, blue skies. The trail up Carragain doesn't give you a lot of views until the open ledges on Signal Ridge. However, Mt Lowell is ever present, and a good guide to judge your progress on elevation. The scars on this mountain are incredible, and unlike anything else in the Whites as far as I know. Finally, we reached the summit, just missing a large group of people, and had the platform almost all to ourselves. The views were incredible, and Darren and I spent several minutes playing the "how many mountains can we see" game. The answer: 43. However, you cannot see The Captain from ANYWHERE along the trail or on the tower. Does anyone know where you can get a good look at that peak?

After a nice long break, we took our time and headed back down the mountain. Darren had to head home to pack for the Dolomites (lucky stiff) while VSA, Jill and I drove over to East Burke, VT. There, we spend the rest of the weekend mountain biking on the best trails in New England, swimming, and lounging around our friends cabin in Lyndon.

Photos:

http://gallery.backcountry.net/chomp-carragain05?&page=1

Best of the Bunch:
http://gallery.backcountry.net/chomp-carragain05/aad
http://gallery.backcountry.net/chomp-carragain05/aay

 

[skiguy]

From Signal Ridge

If you look very carefully as you are on Signal Ridge headed toward the summit of Carrigan to your left you can catch some glimpses of some of the cliffs on "THE CAPTAIN".

 

[skiguy]

Not to be a nemesis Chomp, but I would question your count on 43 of the 48 in nh 4 thou's. Not to sound arrogant but I have climbed this peak at least 20 times and have pondered the same Questions..but have come up with at least 45 to 46 multiple times. Would love to pursue this question more.The level of View Clarity from this Peak can vary greatly but I would agree with the WMNF guide.."ONE of the most commanding views in the Whites".
With todays technology I'm sure a # of peaks seen could be determined. Would be glad to be proven wrong, but I'm sure you agree that Carrigan is a "Temple" of the Whites as far as Viewage is concerned. Let me know if you want to do more recon on this matter. Always up for a hike on this mountain.

 

[HighHorse]

for the record...
steve smith & mike dickerman have a section in their 4,000 footer book regarding how many peaks can be seen from each summit. these two guys assert that 43 can be seen from carrigain. these guys are not of course infallible, but they do have a pretty good track record.

 

[skiguy]

Thanx High Horse..I'll have to check that out. like you say those guys have a darn good track record.

 

[dr_wu002]

However, you cannot see The Captain from ANYWHERE along the trail or on the tower. Does anyone know where you can get a good look at that peak?

Answer: Signal Ridge in Winter:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/284804926/284808352LWwRay
http://community.webshots.com/photo/284804926/284808428LdDAwh
http://community.webshots.com/photo/284804926/284808475ZFYOMe
http://community.webshots.com/photo/284804926/284808554NqWicl

Lousy pictures, sorry -- first day with a new camera. Can't wait until next winter. If you bushwhack around Signal Ridge, I bet you can get good views of it at any time during the year.

Dalraida has some awesome views of it from here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/372418970jEmDJZ

-Dr. Wu

 

[skiguy]

Thanx Dr.WU...thought I remembered seeing "The Captain" from there. Is he on the "WU LIST". Never done this thing before but I hear a trip over to Carrigan Pond while your in that neck of the Woods is worthy also. I think it's one of the highest Ponds in NH.

 

[dr_wu002]

Thanx Dr.WU...thought I remembered seeing "The Captain" from there. Is he on the "WU LIST". Never done this thing before but I hear a trip over to Carrigan Pond while your in that neck of the Woods is worthy also. I think it's one of the highest Ponds in NH.

I don't know if the Captain is on any of those lists you speak of. I forgot to think about them while I was hiking on Sunday like I promised myself I would.

I'd love to get over to The Captain... there's been some beta about routes over there posted to this site if you do a search. Carrigan Pond sounds great -- I hope to get out to both sometime real soon...

-Dr. Wu