Plan B Save on Carrigain, 7/24/2010

[BIGEarl]

July 24, 2010: Carrigain

Trails: Signal Ridge Trail

Summits: Carrigain

Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me



Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Sue and I met early with a different plan for the day. On the drive north a significant oil leak was found and we needed to turn back to swap vehicles. First, we needed to get some oil into the truck. In the end, we lost three hours to this fire drill. Our original plan didn’t have an extra three hours to work with so we looked at Plan B options. Sue suggested Carrigain and we were headed for the trailhead of Signal Ridge Trail on Sawyer River Road. After losing the three hours with the truck, we still managed to arrive at the trailhead for a 9:30am on-trail time – not bad. The trailhead lot was jammed with vehicles and it seemed obvious we were in for a busy day on the trail.

The hike to Carrigain is a moderate one with great trails all the way to the summit. The dry conditions have left very little mud along the way. We hiked to the Signal Ridge – Carrigain Notch trail split without seeing another hiker. After the stream crossings the real work starts. We started into the climb and quickly knew it was going to be a slow one. The temperature was high and the humidity was way up. It’s a short hike and we had a start that meant there was no need to rush the day. We could take our time on the hike and easily hit the summit and be back out by late afternoon to early evening.

By the time we started into the huge ramp we were soaked with perspiration. Already I was thinking I should have brought extra water, or my filter. The extra water stayed with the car at the trailhead, the filter was in the truck at the Park & Ride in Nashua. Three liters for ten miles should be enough, even on a hot and very humid day.

As we were making our way up the ramp the other hikers started to appear. Group after group after group passed on the climb. I lost count. The interesting point I noticed was there were no descending hikers, only people headed for the summit. Signal Ridge and the summit tower were sure to be busy places. We managed to fall into a speed where we were leapfrogging with a couple other groups all of the way to Signal Ridge. Everybody was making extra stops on the climb. Finally, we reached the wooded section of Signal Ridge but the breeze was getting through the trees – nice change! Soon, we stepped out of the trees and the conditions on the exposed section of Signal Ridge were very comfortable. Here we also started to meet hikers on their descent. In one of the groups was our friend Keith Malone. We stopped for a brief visit but Keith needed to keep moving to stay with his group.

From there we could see the Carrigain Tower and a large number of people there. We kept moving back into the trees and on to the final climb to the summit. A steady stream of hikers passed in both directions on our final climb. We hit the summit and stopped for a quick break under the tower. Sue decided to make a couple friends by feeding two red squirrels that were working the crowd. We decided to pay the tower a visit. When we reached the observation deck we found it completely packed with people enjoying the day. Sue managed to locate a short section of railing where she could get some unobstructed pictures. We got the usual summit shots and headed back to ground level, where we had a quick lunch break.

While we were sitting having our lunch orange peels started raining down from the observation deck. Some idiot was tossing the peels over the railing without any concern for those below. Why can’t these people carry their garbage back out with them? Leave no trace?

Soon we were packed back up and ready for the hike out. The reverse hike was completely uneventful. We made our way back across Signal Ridge, down to the stream crossings, and on to the trailhead with only a couple stops along the way. Earlier than expected we were at the trailhead and packing our things into Sue’s car for the drive south.

On the way out of town we made a quick stop at the Highland Center and were soon on the highway south to Nashua.

Thanks for driving Sue, sorry for the difficult parts to the day.


I’ve posted some pictures from the day.


BIGEarl's Pictures


Straight to the slideshow

 

[KPMMBM]

nice to run into you two, wish I could chatted longer!

 

[Tom Rankin]

July 24, 2010: Carrigain ---
While we were sitting having our lunch orange peels started raining down from the observation deck. Some idiot was tossing the peels over the railing without any concern for those below. Why can’t these people carry their garbage back out with them? Leave no trace?

Perhaps they have never considered what the summit would look like if everyone of these hikers threw just a little bit of garbage down from the tower?

When I an 'on duty' at Balsam Lake Mountain, I mention this to people who litter. Most throw bananas or apple cores into the woods. I tell them that, yes, they will decompose, some stuff more slowly than others, but in the meantime, *I*, as the volunteer who is up here a lot, have to smell all that crap. Most people then go into the woods and retrieve their garbage. Don't get mad at them, just offer your insight.

 

[BIGEarl]

nice to run into you two, wish I could chatted longer!

One of these days we need to get together for another hike. The Wildcats on New Year’s Eve was a terrific day.

Perhaps they have never considered what the summit would look like if everyone of these hikers threw just a little bit of garbage down from the tower?

…..
Don't get mad at them, just offer your insight.

You’re probably correct with the approach of education.

On the other hand, I find having garbage thrown on my head to be somewhat annoying.

Not long ago while hiking Moosilauke I came to the McKenney memorial placque and there were the peels of three or four oranges scattered on the grounds around the memorial. All appeared to be fresh. What were these people thinking? They hauled the stuff into the woods, they should haul the waste from it back out.

 

[Dave Bear]

You’re probably correct with the approach of education.

On the other hand, I find having garbage thrown on my head to be somewhat annoying.

Not long ago while hiking Moosilauke I came to the McKenney memorial placque and there were the peels of three or four oranges scattered on the grounds around the memorial. All appeared to be fresh. What were these people thinking? They hauled the stuff into the woods, they should haul the waste from it back out.

Probably got this head strong idea about the peels being biodgradeable and it doesn't matter!

When I was in highschool they tended to over emphasize that topic. I made the foolish mistake of trying it on my dad when I threw a banana peel next to our barn and told him not to worry "its biodegradeable". He told me "So is $hit! Now pick it up! I learned my lesson!

Nice TR as always Earl! Had thoughts of going there today but headed to Tripyramids instead. We could see rain going across the lower pemi from North Tripyramid Slide.

 

[Tom Rankin]

I made the foolish mistake of trying it on my dad when I threw a banana peel next to our barn and told him not to worry "its biodegradeable". He told me "So is $hit! Now pick it up! I learned my lesson!

I've also heard that argument a little differently:

"Well, it's biodegradable!"

"So are YOU, but we aren't leaving you behind!"

 

[BIGEarl]

Probably got this head strong idea about the peels being biodgradeable and it doesn't matter!

When I was in highschool they tended to over emphasize that topic. I made the foolish mistake of trying it on my dad when I threw a banana peel next to our barn and told him not to worry "its biodegradeable". He told me "So is $hit! Now pick it up! I learned my lesson!

Nice TR as always Earl! Had thoughts of going there today but headed to Tripyramids instead. We could see rain going across the lower pemi from North Tripyramid Slide.

Thanks Dave,

Being biodegradeable doesn't matter - it's garbage. If you carry it in, carry it back out. That's not a landfill. A small plastic bag for trash is nothing to carry and doesn't require an advanced degree to operate properly.

I'm guessing Kim is getting close. There's only a couple left to go??

 

[Mike P.]

I've also heard that argument a little differently:

"Well, it's biodegradable!"

"So are YOU, but we aren't leaving you behind!"

I'll have to remember that one!