BIGEarl
Well-known member
March 23, 2012: Carrigain
Trails: Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail
Summits: Carrigain
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
We had a couple choices for the day and both involved stream crossings; Carrigain and Owl’s Head. Because of the beautiful weather and expected views, we decided on Carrigain and planned to visit Owl’s Head later. Even though the crossings on the way to Carrigain are easier we brought sandals and a towel to make sure we could keep our boots dry.
Except for a small stretch at the beginning, Sawyer River Road is clear. We bare booted to the summer trailhead, saw the flow on Whiteface Brook and bushwhacked to bypass the first two crossings. Soon, we were back on-trail with dry feet. The lower part of Signal Ridge Trail is a mix of clear trail with some mud and an ice-covered tread way. We generally had no trouble making our way to the trails split and next crossings. Along the way there is a large ice bulge on the trail. Lose your footing on this thing and you’ll probably slide into the brook. We managed to carefully make it past.
After the trails split we stepped up to the crossing of Carrigain Brook. After a quick survey of the crossing we swapped our boots for sandals and waded across. There was no way we could see to cross with dry boots. We stayed with the sandals to the next crossing where we might have been able to rock-hop but just walking across was our approach. After a quick towel treatment we had our boots back on and headed to the climb.
At the start of the climb there is an open section of hardwoods the trail passes through where the trail is completely clear of all snow and ice. As we climbed into the conifers the ice returned, then the snow and monorail. It wasn’t bad at first but eventually we decided to get out the snowshoes. The flotation and added traction took care of the difficult trail conditions. The trail makes a right turn at ~3000 feet and heads generally north for ~1 mile. Along this stretch we came to a couple clear sections where we removed our snowshoes but then put them back on a short distance later once we were back on deeper soft snow and unstable monorail. There is a section of zig-zags on the final approach to Signal Ridge. In this section we met Bryan Cuddihee on his way out. He passed us during the early bushwhack. It’s always nice to see a familiar face.
We reached the open area of Signal Ridge with bright sun and relatively calm conditions. It was snowman time. The snow was perfect for one of Sue’s creations. In a few minutes the snowman was done; Sue snapped a picture with her phone and sent it to a few select targets.
The open section of Signal Ridge is mostly bare rock. We removed our snowshoes, crossed back into the conifers, and put them back on again. The snowshoes remained to the summit. The forecast for the day called for quite a bit of wind but it wasn’t nearly at the predicted level. At the summit tower we removed our snowshoes and climbed to the platform for the views, and a few pictures. With very few clouds, a moderate breeze, and otherwise mild conditions we couldn’t pass on a visit to the tower and the views that were waiting for us there. We enjoyed the views, got some pictures, and then made the u-turn for our walk back to the truck.
We had a no-surprises exit hike. From the summit to the open hardwoods low on the Signal Ridge Trail it was snowshoes on and off several times. As we approached 3000 feet Sue decided to go with MicroSpikes. The change seemed to work well but I stayed with snowshoes. We made it to the crossings, changed to and from sandals on the way through and were soon headed for the short bushwhack to bypass the crossings of Whiteface Brook.
First we needed to clear the ice bulge a second time. We approached the top of the bulge and it looks very different on the way out. From the top it appears like a guaranteed problem. Sue was in front and after the first couple steps started to slide. Fortunately she was focused ahead on her next moves and there was a rough opening in the ice to use as a hand or foot hold. Sue went for it and nailed it. After that she was able to make a couple more careful moves toward the side away from the drop-off to the brook and reached the far side safely. I generally follow the same approach with the same result. On the other side we both stopped to look back to the ice and then to the brook. That could have been a cold and wet walk back to the truck.
We did the bushwhack to Sawyer River Road, turned left, and walked the two miles to the winter trailhead. The trail conditions cost a little extra time but the weather conditions made for an outstanding day on Carrigain.
Pictures will follow.
Trails: Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail
Summits: Carrigain
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
We had a couple choices for the day and both involved stream crossings; Carrigain and Owl’s Head. Because of the beautiful weather and expected views, we decided on Carrigain and planned to visit Owl’s Head later. Even though the crossings on the way to Carrigain are easier we brought sandals and a towel to make sure we could keep our boots dry.
Except for a small stretch at the beginning, Sawyer River Road is clear. We bare booted to the summer trailhead, saw the flow on Whiteface Brook and bushwhacked to bypass the first two crossings. Soon, we were back on-trail with dry feet. The lower part of Signal Ridge Trail is a mix of clear trail with some mud and an ice-covered tread way. We generally had no trouble making our way to the trails split and next crossings. Along the way there is a large ice bulge on the trail. Lose your footing on this thing and you’ll probably slide into the brook. We managed to carefully make it past.
After the trails split we stepped up to the crossing of Carrigain Brook. After a quick survey of the crossing we swapped our boots for sandals and waded across. There was no way we could see to cross with dry boots. We stayed with the sandals to the next crossing where we might have been able to rock-hop but just walking across was our approach. After a quick towel treatment we had our boots back on and headed to the climb.
At the start of the climb there is an open section of hardwoods the trail passes through where the trail is completely clear of all snow and ice. As we climbed into the conifers the ice returned, then the snow and monorail. It wasn’t bad at first but eventually we decided to get out the snowshoes. The flotation and added traction took care of the difficult trail conditions. The trail makes a right turn at ~3000 feet and heads generally north for ~1 mile. Along this stretch we came to a couple clear sections where we removed our snowshoes but then put them back on a short distance later once we were back on deeper soft snow and unstable monorail. There is a section of zig-zags on the final approach to Signal Ridge. In this section we met Bryan Cuddihee on his way out. He passed us during the early bushwhack. It’s always nice to see a familiar face.
We reached the open area of Signal Ridge with bright sun and relatively calm conditions. It was snowman time. The snow was perfect for one of Sue’s creations. In a few minutes the snowman was done; Sue snapped a picture with her phone and sent it to a few select targets.
The open section of Signal Ridge is mostly bare rock. We removed our snowshoes, crossed back into the conifers, and put them back on again. The snowshoes remained to the summit. The forecast for the day called for quite a bit of wind but it wasn’t nearly at the predicted level. At the summit tower we removed our snowshoes and climbed to the platform for the views, and a few pictures. With very few clouds, a moderate breeze, and otherwise mild conditions we couldn’t pass on a visit to the tower and the views that were waiting for us there. We enjoyed the views, got some pictures, and then made the u-turn for our walk back to the truck.
We had a no-surprises exit hike. From the summit to the open hardwoods low on the Signal Ridge Trail it was snowshoes on and off several times. As we approached 3000 feet Sue decided to go with MicroSpikes. The change seemed to work well but I stayed with snowshoes. We made it to the crossings, changed to and from sandals on the way through and were soon headed for the short bushwhack to bypass the crossings of Whiteface Brook.
First we needed to clear the ice bulge a second time. We approached the top of the bulge and it looks very different on the way out. From the top it appears like a guaranteed problem. Sue was in front and after the first couple steps started to slide. Fortunately she was focused ahead on her next moves and there was a rough opening in the ice to use as a hand or foot hold. Sue went for it and nailed it. After that she was able to make a couple more careful moves toward the side away from the drop-off to the brook and reached the far side safely. I generally follow the same approach with the same result. On the other side we both stopped to look back to the ice and then to the brook. That could have been a cold and wet walk back to the truck.
We did the bushwhack to Sawyer River Road, turned left, and walked the two miles to the winter trailhead. The trail conditions cost a little extra time but the weather conditions made for an outstanding day on Carrigain.
Pictures will follow.
