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The gate is still up at 302 so had to hoof the extra two miles. Took about 40 min. No problem with the water crossings except the one at the trail split to Carrigain Notch. I was able to hope across but friend decided to remove boots and wade through shallow calm water. A few downed trees but all passable without much effort. First snow about 3500 ft. About 3/4 mile of unstable rail walking with many postholes. Poles a must to have any chance of staying on thin rail with rotten snow on sides. I bare booted but snowshoes would have helped here. Signal Ridge was totally clear on top and spectacular as always. The cul before the peak had the same rotten snow with rail most of the way to the tower. Total time up was 4 hrs. from parking to peak. Wore microspikes on the way down but probably not necessary as snow pretty soft. No problems on the way down. The trail below 3500 is dry and in great condition. That last two miles of road walking wasn't much fun but all in all a perfect day. No sigh of anyone else all day long.
