BIGEarl
Well-known member
April 21, 2012: Carrigain
Trails: Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail
Summits: Carrigain
Hikers: Sandy Price, Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
Three Gridiots were hiking Carrigain on this one. Sandy needed Carrigain for April and didn’t want to miss out on getting it done now. The forecast for the day wasn’t great but it was good enough. It looked like we would have dry conditions until at least mid-afternoon. We all met at the winter trailhead for an 8:00am start. On schedule, we were hiking.
The day started with sunny and warm conditions, and a dry trail. The first two miles was the road walk on Sawyer River Road to the summer trailhead. Even though the road is fully repaired from TS Irene damage, and everything is as dry as it gets, the road remains closed. Perhaps now there’s a fire concern.
At the summer trailhead we decided to stay with trails all day and we headed to the first crossings. After a very short walk we were carefully making our way across the two consecutive crossings. There we met a couple headed the other way; one had a mishap on the crossings and soaked both boots. With a concern for blisters from hiking in wet boots they decided it was best to turn around.
After the early crossings we enjoyed a fairly dry hike to the Carrigain Notch – Signal Ridge trails split. There were a few muddy areas but none were difficult to work through and stay clean. Once the temperature came up we had a very warm and humid day for the hike. Sandy started with shorts, I stopped and zipped off my pant legs and swapped my cap for a head band. With a little better ventilation our progress went with fewer stops. I think it was about this time that “the girls” decided they were tired of trying to find a speed compatible with me and told me to pick a speed and lead. Outnumbered I stepped out in front. We reached the trails split and made a quick stop for some pictures and Sue pulled out her poles. A few minutes later we were past the crossings and Sue was hanging her poles back on her pack where they belong.
We left the area of the crossings with me in front setting the pace and making all the usually needed stops along the way. Where’s Peakbagger when you need him? (I recall saying that out loud at least once) Dennis sets an ideal pace for me and I can’t seem to find it on my own. We made our way up Signal Ridge Trail through the first section leading to the top of the stream and start of the traverse at roughly 3000 feet. From there the rate of climb moderates a little and I can usually do a little better with the needed stops. Eventually we made it to the series of switchbacks below the ridge and found some ice, but not enough to be a problem. We were able to bare boot the full hike with only a couple places that required some extra attention.
Before long we made it to the open areas of Signal Ridge and slowed to enjoy the views at the various viewpoints as we made our way across. Back into the conifers and back on lightly icy trail past the site of the fire warden’s cabin and on to the summit.
There was nobody on the summit when we arrived. The conditions were generally as they were at the start; warm, sunny, dry, a beautiful day. We climbed the tower and enjoyed the views. Sue stretched out in the sun for a power nap; ten minutes and Sue’s recharged – it doesn’t take much. After the nap it was Snowman Time! Near the base of the tower there was a good supply of snowman body parts that just needed assembly and Sue knew how to put them together. Soon we had a Carrigain Snowman smiling at us.
After the snowman it was time to make the u-turn and hike back out the way we came in. There were no real surprises along the way except possibly one. We headed back across Signal Ridge, and down from signal ridge to the middle and lower stream crossings, to Sawyer River Road and on to the trailhead and the predicted rain never came. Still dry we reached the trailhead, packed our things, and said our goodbyes. Sandy took off a few minutes before Sue and me.
As usual when hiking in the area, we headed to The Highland Center for a quick stop. As we approached Crawford Notch very dark clouds were hanging over the notch. Just before the climb to the notch the rain started; light at first but it really cut loose by the time we reached the Webster-Jackson Trailhead. We pulled into The Highland Center, grabbed our things, and ran inside. After the quick-change routine and back on the road the rain stayed heavy until we reached the Lincoln area. I’ll bet there were a few wet hikers and maybe a few wet hiker dogs in the Franconia Ridge – Twin Mountain area on Saturday afternoon. Between the hikers and the hiker dogs, I wonder which smelled better.
Eventually we drove out of the bad weather and enjoyed a pleasant drive south.
Thanks Sandy and Sue for a good hike to Carrigain. Even though it felt like we were dragging at times, we returned to the trailhead in straight book time for the hike and that’s with no extra for breaks, etc. That part feels good to me.
Gridiot check marks all around.
Pictures will follow.
Trails: Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail
Summits: Carrigain
Hikers: Sandy Price, Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
Three Gridiots were hiking Carrigain on this one. Sandy needed Carrigain for April and didn’t want to miss out on getting it done now. The forecast for the day wasn’t great but it was good enough. It looked like we would have dry conditions until at least mid-afternoon. We all met at the winter trailhead for an 8:00am start. On schedule, we were hiking.
The day started with sunny and warm conditions, and a dry trail. The first two miles was the road walk on Sawyer River Road to the summer trailhead. Even though the road is fully repaired from TS Irene damage, and everything is as dry as it gets, the road remains closed. Perhaps now there’s a fire concern.
At the summer trailhead we decided to stay with trails all day and we headed to the first crossings. After a very short walk we were carefully making our way across the two consecutive crossings. There we met a couple headed the other way; one had a mishap on the crossings and soaked both boots. With a concern for blisters from hiking in wet boots they decided it was best to turn around.
After the early crossings we enjoyed a fairly dry hike to the Carrigain Notch – Signal Ridge trails split. There were a few muddy areas but none were difficult to work through and stay clean. Once the temperature came up we had a very warm and humid day for the hike. Sandy started with shorts, I stopped and zipped off my pant legs and swapped my cap for a head band. With a little better ventilation our progress went with fewer stops. I think it was about this time that “the girls” decided they were tired of trying to find a speed compatible with me and told me to pick a speed and lead. Outnumbered I stepped out in front. We reached the trails split and made a quick stop for some pictures and Sue pulled out her poles. A few minutes later we were past the crossings and Sue was hanging her poles back on her pack where they belong.
We left the area of the crossings with me in front setting the pace and making all the usually needed stops along the way. Where’s Peakbagger when you need him? (I recall saying that out loud at least once) Dennis sets an ideal pace for me and I can’t seem to find it on my own. We made our way up Signal Ridge Trail through the first section leading to the top of the stream and start of the traverse at roughly 3000 feet. From there the rate of climb moderates a little and I can usually do a little better with the needed stops. Eventually we made it to the series of switchbacks below the ridge and found some ice, but not enough to be a problem. We were able to bare boot the full hike with only a couple places that required some extra attention.
Before long we made it to the open areas of Signal Ridge and slowed to enjoy the views at the various viewpoints as we made our way across. Back into the conifers and back on lightly icy trail past the site of the fire warden’s cabin and on to the summit.
There was nobody on the summit when we arrived. The conditions were generally as they were at the start; warm, sunny, dry, a beautiful day. We climbed the tower and enjoyed the views. Sue stretched out in the sun for a power nap; ten minutes and Sue’s recharged – it doesn’t take much. After the nap it was Snowman Time! Near the base of the tower there was a good supply of snowman body parts that just needed assembly and Sue knew how to put them together. Soon we had a Carrigain Snowman smiling at us.
After the snowman it was time to make the u-turn and hike back out the way we came in. There were no real surprises along the way except possibly one. We headed back across Signal Ridge, and down from signal ridge to the middle and lower stream crossings, to Sawyer River Road and on to the trailhead and the predicted rain never came. Still dry we reached the trailhead, packed our things, and said our goodbyes. Sandy took off a few minutes before Sue and me.
As usual when hiking in the area, we headed to The Highland Center for a quick stop. As we approached Crawford Notch very dark clouds were hanging over the notch. Just before the climb to the notch the rain started; light at first but it really cut loose by the time we reached the Webster-Jackson Trailhead. We pulled into The Highland Center, grabbed our things, and ran inside. After the quick-change routine and back on the road the rain stayed heavy until we reached the Lincoln area. I’ll bet there were a few wet hikers and maybe a few wet hiker dogs in the Franconia Ridge – Twin Mountain area on Saturday afternoon. Between the hikers and the hiker dogs, I wonder which smelled better.
Eventually we drove out of the bad weather and enjoyed a pleasant drive south.
Thanks Sandy and Sue for a good hike to Carrigain. Even though it felt like we were dragging at times, we returned to the trailhead in straight book time for the hike and that’s with no extra for breaks, etc. That part feels good to me.
Gridiot check marks all around.
Pictures will follow.
