Carrigain via Signal Ridge July 25th

[grumpygran]

Our goal today was Owl's Head but after consultation with Silverfox about water levels we settled for Carrigain... a good choice. Discussed the idea of bushwhacking to avoid high water. The decision was made to chance getting the tops of our boots wet instead of drying off all those wet trees on the bushwhack! Having conquered the first crossing we headed up the trail encountering mud ...surprise!...and more mud, some areas of the trail quite widened by those going around. Once over Carrigain Brook, no problem, we started the steady climb to the top of the ridge. The rocks were wet and slippy, the roots were wet and slippy and here and there rivers ran down the trail. It was humid. Once on the ridge there were some views as the clouds lifted and blew by. We climbed on to the fire tower, completely covered when we arrived but a group of young men arrived, willed the clouds away and we ended up with some views from the top.
We ate lunch in a sunny spot on the ridge and greeted some folks arriving there. Met a large AMC group as we descended plus several other pairs of hikers wending their way up. No doubt they had sharpened the rocks as they passed by as the trail down seemed even rockier than it had on the way up. The sun was out by the time to reached the bottom so I am sure that all the others had great vftt!
We were satisfied that we had made the right choice for the day as Laura got #40, accompanied by son of grumpygran and grumpygran herself!

 

[Cymbidium]

Great report GG! Sounds like a great day in the mountains. See you when I get back from Acadia!

 

[Silverfox]

Nice report Mary and i am glad things worked out nicely today from one of the finer summits...

Good Job Laura!!!

 

[eddie]

Glad you had a great day. Our group went to Owl's Head today, and made the crossings that we knee deep and no problem. We will be heading to Carrigain tomorrow morning for our NH48/48.

 

[una_dogger]

Nice hike, Mary! I was hoping to twist your arm (and Finn's paw), plus Mark, to head out there again this September with Terra and I.