grouseking
Well-known member
One day after my summer camp ended, I wanted to go on a hike that would beat me up and hopefully give me some spectacular views. Carrigain sounded like it would fit the bill. My friend Rowan (co-counselor from ENgland) tagged along with me and my dad so I was really hoping for a nice day.
Of course the day started out cloudy, cool, raw and occasionally rainy. In fact the rain started in earnest when we hit Thorton and I began to worry. Once on the Kanc, the rain ended but it was replaced by thick fog above 2500 feet, and this pretty much continued all the way to the trailhead.
The first 1.7 mi was like I remembered when I took a trip to Carrigain Notch, fairly easy, pretty thanks to Whiteface Brook, but really wet. River crossings were simple thankfully and we breezed by both Whiteface brook and Carrigain brooks.
Then the steeps began. I honestly have to say that it probably wasn't too bad but I was slipping on the rocks and I haven't gone on a real hike all year, and haven't hiked a 4k since the Kinsmans last October, so I was banged up by 3500 ft. Views were limited all the way and they got worse the higher I went
. The trail was absolutely soaked...especially all the fir trees I brushed up against. I like narrow trails, except for that day. I was real wet, and of course wore cotton. Thankfuly I retain heat well, as I didn't get cold at all (no wind helped). As I finally hit Signal Ridge, I was greeted to fog for a view with an occasional glimpse of the steep slopes and occasionally VOse Spur. After a nice break we pushed for the summit. Nearly 4 hrs later I summited my 11th 4k, somehow under booktime. As usual I was bushed. And to top it off, there was a beautiful view of the middle of the clouds.
Then every once in awhile it would clear up, which gave us all hope. VIews were limited down into East Branch country westwardand a bit to the northwest. Originally we planned to head down the Desolation trail and make the loop, but our late start, late arrival and conditions of the rocks put an end to that real fast. Desolation trail sounds pretty difficult to begin with, I can only inagine what its like when its wet.
So down we went after a 45 minute break. Then when we hit the Ridge, views east and northeast opened up and were quite spectacular down towards Carrigain Notch, Mt Lowell and over to Crawford Notch. Also views southeast opened up. That made the trip, but unfortunately, it as time to head down. I will have to come back on a good day as I want to see clear skies.
The trip down was easier than I thought as I didnt slip at all. THe rocks had dried just enough to make me feel safer, but the were still quite wet as my Dad and Rowan took a tumble. Before we knew it, we were at the Carrigain Notch trail junction and then we were out, by about 5:10. Four hours up, 45 on top and nearly 3 hours down. Not bad considering the conditions and my groin injury . I'll be back here at some point as I'd like to descend via Desolation and maybe camp down near Stillwater and then hike out via Carrigain Notch. THat sounds like a great overnight.
Pics are here if anyone is interested
Carrigain
Of course the day started out cloudy, cool, raw and occasionally rainy. In fact the rain started in earnest when we hit Thorton and I began to worry. Once on the Kanc, the rain ended but it was replaced by thick fog above 2500 feet, and this pretty much continued all the way to the trailhead.
The first 1.7 mi was like I remembered when I took a trip to Carrigain Notch, fairly easy, pretty thanks to Whiteface Brook, but really wet. River crossings were simple thankfully and we breezed by both Whiteface brook and Carrigain brooks.
Then the steeps began. I honestly have to say that it probably wasn't too bad but I was slipping on the rocks and I haven't gone on a real hike all year, and haven't hiked a 4k since the Kinsmans last October, so I was banged up by 3500 ft. Views were limited all the way and they got worse the higher I went
. The trail was absolutely soaked...especially all the fir trees I brushed up against. I like narrow trails, except for that day. I was real wet, and of course wore cotton. Thankfuly I retain heat well, as I didn't get cold at all (no wind helped). As I finally hit Signal Ridge, I was greeted to fog for a view with an occasional glimpse of the steep slopes and occasionally VOse Spur. After a nice break we pushed for the summit. Nearly 4 hrs later I summited my 11th 4k, somehow under booktime. As usual I was bushed. And to top it off, there was a beautiful view of the middle of the clouds. Then every once in awhile it would clear up, which gave us all hope. VIews were limited down into East Branch country westwardand a bit to the northwest. Originally we planned to head down the Desolation trail and make the loop, but our late start, late arrival and conditions of the rocks put an end to that real fast. Desolation trail sounds pretty difficult to begin with, I can only inagine what its like when its wet.
So down we went after a 45 minute break. Then when we hit the Ridge, views east and northeast opened up and were quite spectacular down towards Carrigain Notch, Mt Lowell and over to Crawford Notch. Also views southeast opened up. That made the trip, but unfortunately, it as time to head down. I will have to come back on a good day as I want to see clear skies.
The trip down was easier than I thought as I didnt slip at all. THe rocks had dried just enough to make me feel safer, but the were still quite wet as my Dad and Rowan took a tumble. Before we knew it, we were at the Carrigain Notch trail junction and then we were out, by about 5:10. Four hours up, 45 on top and nearly 3 hours down. Not bad considering the conditions and my groin injury
. I'll be back here at some point as I'd like to descend via Desolation and maybe camp down near Stillwater and then hike out via Carrigain Notch. THat sounds like a great overnight. Pics are here if anyone is interested
Carrigain
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