| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Carrigain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Carrigain Notch Trail, Desolation Trail, Signal Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, August 30, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Free parking. I was maybe the 7th car in the lot at 0730, probably 15 or so there upon return at 1430. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All rock hoppable. Everything is wicked low, even given the rains recently. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
To whoever placed the stepping stones long ago on Carrigain Notch Trail through the muddy sections (and whoever maintains them now), KUDOS! A few blowdowns here and there on all trails but nothing of note. On the upper/north end of Carrigain Notch, there are a few leaners at head height, so keep your eyes open!
Not on trail but...there is a decent sized leaner hanging over Sawyer River Road about 1/2 mile from Rte. 302 that looks like it'll come down sooner rather than later. When it falls, it'll make the road impassible until it gets cut out. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Mine was the only one out there today that we saw. Going up Desolation could be difficult for inexperienced hiker dogs or smaller ones. I had to lift my experienced Lab up about a half dozen times by his harness handle on some of the scrambles. Other than that, pretty good trail conditions for them.
Be aware that things are VERY dry out there. Washes/drainages/intermittent streams are all bone dry; the only things flowing are the main brooks and streams so make sure you bring extra water. From the Desolation/Carrigain Notch Junction to up and over Carrigain Summit then down Signal Ridge there is no water for 4+ miles. And this is the roughest most strenuous section. My guy went through an entire liter between streams. |
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 | Bugs: |
None! Cool temps int he AM so I didn't put on any spray, didn't regret it later as they stayed away, even down low in the warm air. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a frying pan! Not from a camp kitchen set either, just your regular old medium sized Teflon/nonstick frying pan left ON THE TRAIL. If it was yours, it's in the trash, sorry. |
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 | Comments: |
Excellent hike today, if a little long for the pup. Real flat easy going for the first 7.5 miles or so, as I went all the way to the end of Carrigain Notch for redlining. Back up Desolation was crazy steep and rough footing. Rocks were damp fromt he morning fog/dew so things were slick in spots. As stated above, had to boost the dog up in some spots, as the hand over hand was very rough in sections. Coming down Signal Ridge, all was good. Surprisingly not many people out there today, I saw about 15, but had the summit to myself for 25 minutes. |
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 | Name: |
captainicebeard |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-08-30 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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