Mt. Carrigain (4,700 ft) 11-8-14

Distance: 10.5 mi.
Elevation: 3,392 ft. (overall) 3,572 ft. (total)
Time: 4:04 (Summit) 6:36 (Total)
Trails: Signal Ridge Trail

With WMNF roads expected to start closing for winter soon, I made sure to hike Mt. Carrigain while Sawyer River Road was still open. The road isn't a hard "hike" in or out, it's just unneeded extra time and distance when it can easily be avoided.

The trail from the start had just a dusting of snow on it. The rerouted start of the Signal Ridge Trail was still a bit soft in places, but now nicely avoids the river crossing. The trail stays gradual along an old rail bed for quite some time with only short ascents thrown in. It's actually a pretty nice walk in the woods to get you warmed up.

The last time I hiked here, the intersection with the Carrigain Notch Trail hadn't been relocated yet. It didn't seem to take long for me to get here. There is now a tree down across what was the Signal Ridge Trail to help discourage hikers from using it. Wanting to see the new reroute, I headed past the old section of trail. There is one brook crossing, but it was easily managed on exposed rocks. Soon I was at the new intersection.

Start of the trail reroute

The new section of trail feels like it wanders a bit through the woods before meeting up with the old trail. The GPS didn't really show this, but it certainly felt like it wasn't as direct as it could be. The route was easy to follow though and not difficult.

Heading up the trail further, you soon start the real climb of the day. The trail isn't steep by White Mountain standards, but the climb is steady and goes on for quite a while. There are a few switchbacks on the way up that help out the hikers. For a short distance before the limited viewpoint, the trail does level out some while following the side hill. But then it starts the climb again before getting into some smaller switchbacks shortly before coming up onto Signal Ridge. While there was snow on the ground today for the hike, microspikes were all that were needed to keep you from slipping.

The climb before Signal Ridge

Once you pop up onto the ridge, the summit is in sight and you can see how close you are now. I've only been here when there was snow on the ground, but Signal Ridge is a pretty cool place. There are great views, the summit is just ahead, and the terrain is quite interesting with the steep and open drop on your right. Even with that drop though, the trail is just far enough away that you can stay safe.

The summit from Signal Ridge

The final push to the summit went well. A few other hikers were now catching up to me, including some hiking with dogs. There was now about 6-8 inches of snow on the ground, but footing was still good with my microspikes on. By the time I made it to the summit, there were now a few others there.

Knowing the wind was blowing pretty well, I changed out my wet layers for dry before climbing up the tower to take in the views and grab some pictures. While I was on the summit, the wind was averaging 16 mph and gusting to 19 mph. It was 19 degrees out and the windchill made it feel like 2 degrees. I made sure to have on a good pair of gloves and my balaclava. While I was on the summit, the clouds cleared up some, which made the views even better. Since we were just starting into winter weather for the season, you could see a snowline on the other peaks which showed where temperatures became cold enough for snow to gather. There was also quite a bit of rim ice that had formed along the tower and summit trees.

Rime Ice

The snowline visible on other summits

Summit view

Summit View

I went down the same route that I came up. There were more hikers headed up now than while I was ascending. This included a family with young kids that were definitely under prepared with poor footwear and gloves for all, plus a general lack of layers and gear for a hike at this time of year. Back down on the rerouted section of trail, I headed out the old section so that I could compare the two routes on the GPS later. The old route is definitely more direct, but the terrain has been washed out pretty bad in places. I can see the being a popular "shortcut" in winter though. The final walk out was easy and quick as I chatted with a fellow hiker about some of the various hikes we had each done.

Signal Ridge on the descent

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE

Mt. Carrigain (4,700 ft) 2-4-12

Distance: 9.2 mi. (Mountain hiking) 4.0 mi. (Road hiking) 13.2 mi. (Total)
Elevation: 3,768 ft. (Overall) 3,952 ft. (Total)
Time: 5:34 (Summit) 9:04 (Total)
Trails: Sawyer River Rd, Signal Ridge Trail

The trail starts off pretty easy with the two mile warmup walk along Sawyer River Rd. The road was freshly groomed and hadn't been ridden on much yet today so it was pretty firm. I wore microspikes through here, but could have gotten away without them just fine. After a little under an hour, I was at the Signal Ridge Trail and stopped for a drink. The trail starts off easy and soon reaches a crossing of Whiteface Brook. This was well bridged out with a bit of a zig-zag path across it.

Sawyer River Rd

Whiteface Brook crossing

From here the trail follows the edge of the brook for quite a ways while slowly gaining a bit of elevation. A couple very small brooks cross the trail to the river, but you can easily step over them. Soon the trail turns away from the brook. The trail heads northwest with some long mostly flat straights. So far it has been pretty easy going.

Long mostly flat straight

After 1.7 miles on the trail, you reach the junction with Carrigain Notch Trail which was used recently, but certainly not as heavily. In about 50 ft you come to the crossing of Carrigain Brook. There are plenty of small stones to step across to stay out of the water here. With microspikes it was nice and quick. The group I was behind at this point had mostly been wearing snowshoes so far and took those off to cross. They went a little slower across with bareboots. After some more straight easy stuff, the trail crosses on small brook (bridged) and then starts to head uphill some more. About 4 miles in, and finally getting to some climbing.

Carrigain Brook crossing

The trail isn't overly steep, but it is finally heading uphill. After a short distance, you come to a series of small switchbacks that are pretty easy. After these, you are still heading up steadily. Now you go through a long section of hiking along the side of the mountain. For the most part, you do this all the way to Signal Ridge except for the second set of switchbacks.

Sidehill trail

It was towards the end of this section that my legs started acting up. The upper thighs were getting a bit tired, and near the viewpoint just before the upper switchbacks, my lower thighs cramped up quite bad. I think this was mostly due to poor meal choice this morning and last night, and not drinking enough water so far this trip. I took a break at the viewpoint to get rid of the cramps.

Nearing the ridge

Going up through the switchbacks, my legs were still bothering me some and made this section seem much longer than it did on the way back down. I kept hiking when I could and took breaks when I needed to. Eventually, you hike straight while heading uphill for a short bit and pop out on the ridge. There is a small viewpoint on the right, but just a few feet further you get a much better view up on the ridge.

Carrigain Notch

I stopped here for some pictures and to give my legs a break. The summit was finally in sight and I knew I could slowly make it the rest of the way up. I was out in the open on the ridge, but there were clouds around in almost all directions other than south. It had been predicted to be somewhere between partly cloudy and partlly sunny, but it was looking like it would stay cloudy. But since it was snowing heavy for the last hour of the drive up, that wasn't surprising.

The summit in sight

I headed over the ridge and back into the trees. The last stretch up to the summit is probably the steepest, but isn't overly long and was still pretty easy today. When I got to the base of the tower, the two hikers just packing up said I was there at a perfect time as the clouds were starting to clear. I guess tired and crampy legs can have a benefit. I set down my stuff and geared up for the wind I knew I would see on the tower. Up I went and sure enough, It was clearing off nicely. The Presidentials were still mostly in the clouds, but most other directions were clear.

View towards the presidentials

I took a bunch of pictures and took in the views. I got out my weather meter and it was 5 degrees with a -17 windchill. The wind was averaging around 10 mph and gusting around 22 mph. It certainly seemed windier than those numbers show though. After enjoying the view and having something to eat, I geared up and started back down. It was after 2pm and I was already glad I had what I needed to hike in the dark. The legs slowed me down almost an hour more than expected for the hike up.

Towards the Bonds

Going down, my legs felt pretty good and the hike went smooth and pretty quick. Once off the ridge, I was always in the mountains shadow as the sun was getting lower. My main goal was to get to the Carrigain Notch Trail before sunset, but would really like to get to Sawyer River Rd by that point. The hike went quick enough, that I came out to the road 15 minutes before sunset and was back to the truck 40 minutes later. With a nearly full moon and clear skies, the headlamp was never used.

This hike retaught me a lesson I thought I had already learned about meal planning before hiking. But considering it was probably the longest hike distance wise and possibly elevation gain wise, it went pretty well. The day turned out great and I enjoyed some terrific views. I can't complain about that.

Looking back at the ridge

Crawford Notch and Washington trying to come out

Another look back up to the summit

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE