It took me 3 years and 3 attempts but I finally made it to Carrigain Pond. From the Hancocks, I routed down along the wilderness boundary to the col at The Captain, then skirted around the backside of the Captain to the pond. The going was rough, requiring determination and a pointed disregard for skin and clothing. 3 hrs from Hancocks to Carrigain Pond with GPS routing.
The pond itself was lovely. On the South shore there’s an old fire ring and a flattish spot for camping. Otherwise, the whole area is as pristine as post-logged wilderness can be. Lots of Moose sign.
For exit, I followed Carrigain Branch 2 miles to the intersection with Desolation trail. It wasn’t that bad. The upper section was a bit steep but it was always manageable. It reminded me of the upper ledges of Ammo, no worse. It wasn’t that tangled either. Last year (without GPS) I tried to upwalk it from Desolation and I remembered the streambed as a maddening tangle of blowdowns. Not so this year. It was only half-maddening.
I've attached 2 pics. Not my best photographic effort
Cost: One LEki pole (bent), one bush hat (lost), one torn backpack and one techwick trashed. Well worth it though.
Couple of pointers..
1. If anyone is crazy enough to approach from the Hancocks, I would suggest targeting the Captain for the descent from Hancock (as opposed to a more direct route > Carrigain Pond). Otherwise, you’ll run into the cliffs and steep ledges which dominate the middle flanks of Hancock.
2. Carrigain Branch is a many-branched stream, more than maps show. Going upstream is tricky. There’s a left and a right feeder, of equal volume and size. Recommend you pick wisely or bring a GPS.
The pond itself was lovely. On the South shore there’s an old fire ring and a flattish spot for camping. Otherwise, the whole area is as pristine as post-logged wilderness can be. Lots of Moose sign.
For exit, I followed Carrigain Branch 2 miles to the intersection with Desolation trail. It wasn’t that bad. The upper section was a bit steep but it was always manageable. It reminded me of the upper ledges of Ammo, no worse. It wasn’t that tangled either. Last year (without GPS) I tried to upwalk it from Desolation and I remembered the streambed as a maddening tangle of blowdowns. Not so this year. It was only half-maddening.
I've attached 2 pics. Not my best photographic effort
Cost: One LEki pole (bent), one bush hat (lost), one torn backpack and one techwick trashed. Well worth it though.
Couple of pointers..
1. If anyone is crazy enough to approach from the Hancocks, I would suggest targeting the Captain for the descent from Hancock (as opposed to a more direct route > Carrigain Pond). Otherwise, you’ll run into the cliffs and steep ledges which dominate the middle flanks of Hancock.
2. Carrigain Branch is a many-branched stream, more than maps show. Going upstream is tricky. There’s a left and a right feeder, of equal volume and size. Recommend you pick wisely or bring a GPS.
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