BIGEarl
Well-known member
June 10, 2007: Carrigain
Trails: Signal Ridge Trail
Distance – Elevation: 10 Miles, 3,250 Feet
You would have to work really hard to find something wrong with this day!
I had some doubts about the day when I started driving north from Nashua a little after 5:00am. The sky conditions were generally overcast. As I proceeded north the clouds became heavier, lower, and darker. Finally, around Waterville Valley the rain started. When I reached Lincoln it was coming down pretty good. In Franconia Notch the weather conditions said turn around. I kept telling myself the conditions on one side of a mountain are often very different on the other side – so I continued north. When I reached the exit for route 3 and Twin Mountain the rain had stopped. By the time I was in Twin Mountain the road was dry and I could see breaks in the clouds. In Bretton Woods I stopped at Fabyan’s store and realized I was having a good day!
Just after turning onto Sawyer River Road my phone beeped and indicated there was a message waiting. I checked and learned the other hikers I expected to meet were not coming and I was on my own. I’m not driving 2.5 hours to just turn around so I continued on to the trailhead lot.
Cars in the lot seemed to indicate others were probably on the trail already. It was still early and I assumed more would be along to hike. So, I geared-up and headed off for Mount Carrigain. The clouds had cleared out of the area leaving behind lots of sunshine, the temperature was a comfortable mid-50’s, and there was a light breeze. You couldn’t write-up an order for conditions better than this.
My first decision was to bushwhack or not bushwhack (around the first crossing). I walked to the bridge over Whiteface Brook and decided the flow didn’t appear particularly high so I elected to hike the trail. Within a little more than a quarter mile was the first crossing. I managed to make it to the far side with dry feet. I’m still having a good day! With a great frame of mind I continued on enjoying the morning nature sounds, the scenery, the conditions, and my company. Soon I reached the trail split at 1.7 miles where the Signal Ridge Trail goes left and the Carrigain Notch Trail goes right. I stayed left and headed for crossing number 2. Again, there was no real test here and I exited to the far side with dry feet. All remaining stream crossings on the hike aren’t a concern, just the first two. In only 3.3 miles and a couple thousand feet I will be on the Carrigain tower.
Soon after the second crossing I became aware of the mosquito population. They were operating a gauntlet for any fresh meat that came through. Believing it would probably get worse before it got better I pulled out the deet and settled things. With the mosquito problem out of the way I continued on my peaceful way. The mosquitoes were only below 2,500 feet – but that’s enough to be very annoying. The early part of the hike also includes sections of trail with mud bogs. None were difficult to pass. Eventually I came to the first set of stone stairs and knew the work was about to start. At about the same time a very large owl departed the tree that I was under. Judging only by its size I believe it was a Great Horned Owl (roughly 20 inches end-to-end), but I could be wrong.
I knew this section was a continuous climb to the top of a small brook that the trail crosses. From past hikes I also seemed to remember the hiking to become easier after the brook. The brook crossing is located at approximately 3,600 feet and it was the landmark I wanted to see. I continued on and up. Finally, there’s the brook. As I remembered the trail became less of a challenge as it contoured along the east side of Signal Ridge. Along the way are a couple open places that offer nice views. These are really nice forms of motivation. They offer a glimpse of the rewards waiting on the ridge and summit.
The remaining hike to the open area of Signal Ridge was uneventful. There had been a significant amount of work done in clearing blowdowns in this upper section. As a result, the Signal Ridge Trail is completely clear – from the trailhead lot to the summit tower. I made my way through the spruce tunnels that exist just below Signal Ridge and stepped onto the generally open ridge. I was greeted by a nice breeze, lots of sunshine, and great views. I spent some time making my way across the ridge to the final sheltered section leading to the summit. I snapped many pictures and just enjoyed my surroundings.
Eventually I found myself heading back into the shelter and picked up the pace a little heading for the summit. This final climb is a short hike that ends in a nice set of stone stairs leading to the summit. I reached the summit at lunch time. What a coincidence, I was hungry. Before eating I climbed the tower to enjoy the view. The reward on Carrigain is just about as good as you’ll find in the Whites. And the conditions made it even better. I could see cloud cover that suggested other areas were not being treated as well. The breeze was blowing stronger, I was wet from perspiration, and decided to go back down to ground level for my lunch instead of pulling out a jacket.
With lunch out of the way I made the u-turn and headed out. On my way across Signal Ridge I again was moving very slow. What a great place, what a great view! I took a few additional pictures and eventually was back in the trees.
At 4,000 feet I came upon a couple hikers on the trail that I immediately recognized. GreyJay and MtnMagic (with Ghostdog of course). They were on their way to the summit. Evidently there was a group hike planned but most of the group cancelled due to weather concerns. Oh well – they missed a good one! I stayed to visit for a while and then said goodbye and set off for the trailhead lot.
On my way out I passed another group of three hikers heading for the summit. As I did on the way in I managed both crossings with dry feet and cruised to the trailhead lot on Sawyer River Road. After just a few minutes I was back on route 302 headed for Fabyan’s and a cold drink for the ride home.
It turned out to be a great day and a great hike.
I have posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Trails: Signal Ridge Trail
Distance – Elevation: 10 Miles, 3,250 Feet
You would have to work really hard to find something wrong with this day!
I had some doubts about the day when I started driving north from Nashua a little after 5:00am. The sky conditions were generally overcast. As I proceeded north the clouds became heavier, lower, and darker. Finally, around Waterville Valley the rain started. When I reached Lincoln it was coming down pretty good. In Franconia Notch the weather conditions said turn around. I kept telling myself the conditions on one side of a mountain are often very different on the other side – so I continued north. When I reached the exit for route 3 and Twin Mountain the rain had stopped. By the time I was in Twin Mountain the road was dry and I could see breaks in the clouds. In Bretton Woods I stopped at Fabyan’s store and realized I was having a good day!
Just after turning onto Sawyer River Road my phone beeped and indicated there was a message waiting. I checked and learned the other hikers I expected to meet were not coming and I was on my own. I’m not driving 2.5 hours to just turn around so I continued on to the trailhead lot.
Cars in the lot seemed to indicate others were probably on the trail already. It was still early and I assumed more would be along to hike. So, I geared-up and headed off for Mount Carrigain. The clouds had cleared out of the area leaving behind lots of sunshine, the temperature was a comfortable mid-50’s, and there was a light breeze. You couldn’t write-up an order for conditions better than this.
My first decision was to bushwhack or not bushwhack (around the first crossing). I walked to the bridge over Whiteface Brook and decided the flow didn’t appear particularly high so I elected to hike the trail. Within a little more than a quarter mile was the first crossing. I managed to make it to the far side with dry feet. I’m still having a good day! With a great frame of mind I continued on enjoying the morning nature sounds, the scenery, the conditions, and my company. Soon I reached the trail split at 1.7 miles where the Signal Ridge Trail goes left and the Carrigain Notch Trail goes right. I stayed left and headed for crossing number 2. Again, there was no real test here and I exited to the far side with dry feet. All remaining stream crossings on the hike aren’t a concern, just the first two. In only 3.3 miles and a couple thousand feet I will be on the Carrigain tower.
Soon after the second crossing I became aware of the mosquito population. They were operating a gauntlet for any fresh meat that came through. Believing it would probably get worse before it got better I pulled out the deet and settled things. With the mosquito problem out of the way I continued on my peaceful way. The mosquitoes were only below 2,500 feet – but that’s enough to be very annoying. The early part of the hike also includes sections of trail with mud bogs. None were difficult to pass. Eventually I came to the first set of stone stairs and knew the work was about to start. At about the same time a very large owl departed the tree that I was under. Judging only by its size I believe it was a Great Horned Owl (roughly 20 inches end-to-end), but I could be wrong.
I knew this section was a continuous climb to the top of a small brook that the trail crosses. From past hikes I also seemed to remember the hiking to become easier after the brook. The brook crossing is located at approximately 3,600 feet and it was the landmark I wanted to see. I continued on and up. Finally, there’s the brook. As I remembered the trail became less of a challenge as it contoured along the east side of Signal Ridge. Along the way are a couple open places that offer nice views. These are really nice forms of motivation. They offer a glimpse of the rewards waiting on the ridge and summit.
The remaining hike to the open area of Signal Ridge was uneventful. There had been a significant amount of work done in clearing blowdowns in this upper section. As a result, the Signal Ridge Trail is completely clear – from the trailhead lot to the summit tower. I made my way through the spruce tunnels that exist just below Signal Ridge and stepped onto the generally open ridge. I was greeted by a nice breeze, lots of sunshine, and great views. I spent some time making my way across the ridge to the final sheltered section leading to the summit. I snapped many pictures and just enjoyed my surroundings.
Eventually I found myself heading back into the shelter and picked up the pace a little heading for the summit. This final climb is a short hike that ends in a nice set of stone stairs leading to the summit. I reached the summit at lunch time. What a coincidence, I was hungry. Before eating I climbed the tower to enjoy the view. The reward on Carrigain is just about as good as you’ll find in the Whites. And the conditions made it even better. I could see cloud cover that suggested other areas were not being treated as well. The breeze was blowing stronger, I was wet from perspiration, and decided to go back down to ground level for my lunch instead of pulling out a jacket.
With lunch out of the way I made the u-turn and headed out. On my way across Signal Ridge I again was moving very slow. What a great place, what a great view! I took a few additional pictures and eventually was back in the trees.
At 4,000 feet I came upon a couple hikers on the trail that I immediately recognized. GreyJay and MtnMagic (with Ghostdog of course). They were on their way to the summit. Evidently there was a group hike planned but most of the group cancelled due to weather concerns. Oh well – they missed a good one! I stayed to visit for a while and then said goodbye and set off for the trailhead lot.
On my way out I passed another group of three hikers heading for the summit. As I did on the way in I managed both crossings with dry feet and cruised to the trailhead lot on Sawyer River Road. After just a few minutes I was back on route 302 headed for Fabyan’s and a cold drink for the ride home.
It turned out to be a great day and a great hike.
I have posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
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