BIGEarl
Well-known member
May 26, 2013: Carrigain
Trails: Signal Ridge Trail
Summits: Carrigain
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
Carrigain was not our Plan A for the day but the weather conditions and time weren’t on our side. After traveling north of Franconia Notch and seeing the conditions along with the National Weather Service White Mountains Summit forecast for the day and the current point forecast for our planned hike, we decided on a target south of the notches believing the conditions would be better there. That turned out to be a terrific decision. By the time we reached the trailhead on Sawyer River Road we were treated to blue sky and sunshine. There were still plenty of clouds but we had a huge improvement compared to the north side. A number of times we’ve had a similar change of plans; always with positive results.
When we reached the trailhead lot on Sawyer River Road we found a number of vehicles already there but no people. Everybody was ahead of us for a change. We grabbed our things and started walking. We had broken clouds with occasional sun but I believe there were also rain showers in the area. The day also had a forecast for high winds and we were feeling some of them. From the start we had our rain jackets on for relief from the wind, the day was dry.
We passed through the first relocated section of Signal Ridge Trail and on to the second relocated section fairly quickly. The trail was in pretty good shape, and clear of obstacles. The second relocated section moved the trail to a higher location. I believe it was an attempt to get it out of a very muddy area. The new location has mud and lots of it. I realize there was a huge effort and expense to relocate the trail but I’m not sure the mud situation was improved. There are some areas that will need more work and possibly some bridging.
Back on the old trail and we were back with an old friend. We had clear sailing all of the way past the old trail split and on to the upper crossing of Carrigain Brook. The water is a little higher than it has been for our recent hikes to the area. Crossing required a little more thought and a little more care but we both reached the other side with dry feet.
Next up was the third and final relocated section of Signal Ridge Trail. We were able to cruise through this new route and back onto the old trail with no real trouble. A short distance after crossing Carrigain Brook we came to an area of work where additional bridging is being built to deal with a muddy section. The trail is marked and the materials are there; now it’s a matter of putting the pieces together.
We hit the old trail and started the climb. Up to this point there has been a very mild rate of elevation gain. From here to Signal ridge would be different. The first ~2 miles of our hike included roughly 500 feet in elevation gain. The next 2.8 miles includes roughly 2600 feet in elevation gain. The trail was clear with great footing; we found a comfortable pace and climbed. Slowly we climbed into the snow. By the time we reached 3000 feet the area was generally covered with fresh snow. As we climbed to the ridge the snow amount slowly increased. Along the way we met several of those that were out in front. Among those ahead of us were a couple familiar faces; Jeb Bradley and Bill Cronin. We stopped for a brief visit and were soon on our way.
A short distance below Signal Ridge the wind and wind noise had really increased. I told Sue I was thinking about pulling out another jacket. Sue suggested we hold off until reaching the thickets near the open section of the ridge. There we could decide the needed layers a little better. That made sense and we continued. As we approached the ridge we found conditions that weren’t as bad as expected. We secured our hoods and continued.
The cloud cover eliminated the views and the wind kept us moving. Soon we were across the ridge and working our way to the summit tower. We made our way past the site of the fire warden’s cabin and through the final short pitch to the summit. Before climbing the final few feet to the tower we needed a snowman break.
Sue went to work. Within a couple minutes she had the first ball at a size that clearly told me I’d be involved in the project before it was finished. Sue rolled the second ball and I provided an assist to lift it into place on top of the first. Sue took it from there. I enjoyed a Crunchy Granola Bar while I enjoyed the show. Sue installed the third ball and all of the other features. Soon, there was one of Sue’s snowy friends. He was a big guy, maybe a little bigger than Sue. We got a few pictures and headed to the tower.
The tower and surrounding trees were loaded with rime. We also had wind. Because of the clouds there were no views, and there was no reason to climb the tower. Our summit pictures were all at ground level. Above 4000 feet the temperature was predicted to remain below freezing all day and I believe the forecast was correct. The cool temperature combined with the wind made for uncomfortable conditions. Soon we were on our exit hike trying to generate some heat; we were both chilled from the snowman break and the time on the summit.
A short distance before the open section of Signal Ridge we met another pair on their ascent. We generally just kept hiking. We cleared Signal Ridge and started the real descent. As we lost elevation the snow amount decreased and the temperature increased. Eventually we were hiking bare, dry trail and stopping to remove layers. When we reached the crossing of Carrigain Brook it appeared the water level had increased in the course of the day. We were still able to hit the other side with dry feet.
From the crossing to the trailhead was an easy cruise. There were a few muddy areas on the way out but none presented a real test. Soon we reached the trailhead and Sue stepped onto Sawyer River Road; the trailhead lot was on the opposite side. To her surprise, a truck was approaching from the west and she quickly moved to the far side as it passed.
Only one other vehicle remained in the lot when we reached the end of our hike. We quickly packed and set off for the Highland Center, and then the highway south. As we approached Crawford Notch the general conditions were much worse than anything we had experienced on Carrigain; low cloud cover, gray, wet. Yeah, we made a good call on Plan B.
Pictures will follow.
Trails: Signal Ridge Trail
Summits: Carrigain
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
Carrigain was not our Plan A for the day but the weather conditions and time weren’t on our side. After traveling north of Franconia Notch and seeing the conditions along with the National Weather Service White Mountains Summit forecast for the day and the current point forecast for our planned hike, we decided on a target south of the notches believing the conditions would be better there. That turned out to be a terrific decision. By the time we reached the trailhead on Sawyer River Road we were treated to blue sky and sunshine. There were still plenty of clouds but we had a huge improvement compared to the north side. A number of times we’ve had a similar change of plans; always with positive results.
When we reached the trailhead lot on Sawyer River Road we found a number of vehicles already there but no people. Everybody was ahead of us for a change. We grabbed our things and started walking. We had broken clouds with occasional sun but I believe there were also rain showers in the area. The day also had a forecast for high winds and we were feeling some of them. From the start we had our rain jackets on for relief from the wind, the day was dry.
We passed through the first relocated section of Signal Ridge Trail and on to the second relocated section fairly quickly. The trail was in pretty good shape, and clear of obstacles. The second relocated section moved the trail to a higher location. I believe it was an attempt to get it out of a very muddy area. The new location has mud and lots of it. I realize there was a huge effort and expense to relocate the trail but I’m not sure the mud situation was improved. There are some areas that will need more work and possibly some bridging.
Back on the old trail and we were back with an old friend. We had clear sailing all of the way past the old trail split and on to the upper crossing of Carrigain Brook. The water is a little higher than it has been for our recent hikes to the area. Crossing required a little more thought and a little more care but we both reached the other side with dry feet.
Next up was the third and final relocated section of Signal Ridge Trail. We were able to cruise through this new route and back onto the old trail with no real trouble. A short distance after crossing Carrigain Brook we came to an area of work where additional bridging is being built to deal with a muddy section. The trail is marked and the materials are there; now it’s a matter of putting the pieces together.
We hit the old trail and started the climb. Up to this point there has been a very mild rate of elevation gain. From here to Signal ridge would be different. The first ~2 miles of our hike included roughly 500 feet in elevation gain. The next 2.8 miles includes roughly 2600 feet in elevation gain. The trail was clear with great footing; we found a comfortable pace and climbed. Slowly we climbed into the snow. By the time we reached 3000 feet the area was generally covered with fresh snow. As we climbed to the ridge the snow amount slowly increased. Along the way we met several of those that were out in front. Among those ahead of us were a couple familiar faces; Jeb Bradley and Bill Cronin. We stopped for a brief visit and were soon on our way.
A short distance below Signal Ridge the wind and wind noise had really increased. I told Sue I was thinking about pulling out another jacket. Sue suggested we hold off until reaching the thickets near the open section of the ridge. There we could decide the needed layers a little better. That made sense and we continued. As we approached the ridge we found conditions that weren’t as bad as expected. We secured our hoods and continued.
The cloud cover eliminated the views and the wind kept us moving. Soon we were across the ridge and working our way to the summit tower. We made our way past the site of the fire warden’s cabin and through the final short pitch to the summit. Before climbing the final few feet to the tower we needed a snowman break.
Sue went to work. Within a couple minutes she had the first ball at a size that clearly told me I’d be involved in the project before it was finished. Sue rolled the second ball and I provided an assist to lift it into place on top of the first. Sue took it from there. I enjoyed a Crunchy Granola Bar while I enjoyed the show. Sue installed the third ball and all of the other features. Soon, there was one of Sue’s snowy friends. He was a big guy, maybe a little bigger than Sue. We got a few pictures and headed to the tower.
The tower and surrounding trees were loaded with rime. We also had wind. Because of the clouds there were no views, and there was no reason to climb the tower. Our summit pictures were all at ground level. Above 4000 feet the temperature was predicted to remain below freezing all day and I believe the forecast was correct. The cool temperature combined with the wind made for uncomfortable conditions. Soon we were on our exit hike trying to generate some heat; we were both chilled from the snowman break and the time on the summit.
A short distance before the open section of Signal Ridge we met another pair on their ascent. We generally just kept hiking. We cleared Signal Ridge and started the real descent. As we lost elevation the snow amount decreased and the temperature increased. Eventually we were hiking bare, dry trail and stopping to remove layers. When we reached the crossing of Carrigain Brook it appeared the water level had increased in the course of the day. We were still able to hit the other side with dry feet.
From the crossing to the trailhead was an easy cruise. There were a few muddy areas on the way out but none presented a real test. Soon we reached the trailhead and Sue stepped onto Sawyer River Road; the trailhead lot was on the opposite side. To her surprise, a truck was approaching from the west and she quickly moved to the far side as it passed.
Only one other vehicle remained in the lot when we reached the end of our hike. We quickly packed and set off for the Highland Center, and then the highway south. As we approached Crawford Notch the general conditions were much worse than anything we had experienced on Carrigain; low cloud cover, gray, wet. Yeah, we made a good call on Plan B.
Pictures will follow.
