| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Carrigain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, February 14, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plowed parking area with kiosk off US 302. There is a sign saying “Sawyer River†but it is quickly being buried by the snow bank. The parking area can hold at least 10 cars. I made it fine in front wheel drive (FWD). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The small crossings of the Carrigain Brook are mostly open. These are shallow with enough rocks protruding above the water level to permit crossing without getting feet wet. I crossed in snowshoes and no poles and did fine. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One blowdown still present just before the one opening in the trees on the upper slopes. Last year I had to walk around it. This year I could walk under it. So maybe remove it, maybe not. I saw no sign for the junction with Carrigain Notch Trail. I was not really sure where that junction was... |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
This would be a good trail for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I was the only one on trail (and road) today. Surprising, considering the phenomenal view from the summit of Carrigain on clear days. And, man, was it a wicked nice view today. No clouds anywhere! So many mountains showing off their winter beauty from the Pemigewasset Wilderness peaks all the way to Mount Washington. So what if it was at least -30 degrees in the wind? :)
This trail is not blazed other than a few yellow blazes guiding the hiker over the reroute. There was a gorgeous foot path trench in the lower elevations. Looks like everyone was wearing snowshoes. Thanks! The upper elevations had many drifts but none deeper than my shin. These drifts obscured the snowshoed path from time to time but the trail corridor is easy to discern this year.
Solid monorail under the 1-3 inches of new powder snow. I wore snowshoes after the road walk all the way to the summit and back. Even with the frozen monorail in today’s frigid conditions, the walkway will not support microspikes. I tried the spikes on the start of Signal Ridge but quickly switched to the shoes because the snow is just deep enough to make the microspikes the most ineffective mode of foot travel. The trail is so nice right now: no postholes, well broken out by shoes, and clear (minus one blowdown to walk under). It’s a winter sidewalk up a 4500 foot mountain! |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-02-14 |
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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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