NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Carrigain, NH
Trails
Trails: Signal Ridge Trail, herd path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Sawyer River Road is open, so the summer lot is accessible (about half full today). 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Main crossing was tricky this morning and higher early in the afternoon (rocks further submerged). Current crossing is more hoppable than the abandoned crossing at current levels. Other crossings were rock hoppable. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Stepovers of various sizes throughout. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Mosquitoes were out prior to the temperatures hitting 90. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: The first half of the trail is snow free and fairly dry. Took the abandoned trail to avoid the circuitous relo.

Patchy monorail started near the top of the long switchback. More consistent monorail (up to about 3 feet deep) started on the steeper portion of the ascent to the ridge; Microspikes were very useful on descent.

The open ridge itself is mostly bare. Deeper snow starts immediately upon reentering the woods. The trickiest part of the high was the last uphill (near the campsite), where the trail is blue ice. Microspikes were adequate on the descent with caution. Barebooters were struggling to get up this portion; can't imagine the descent.

I carried but did not consider using snowshoes. The snowpack is inconsistent below the ridge at this point, so their safety benefit is diminished. Though I may carry them elsewhere in the coming week or two, I would probably go without snowshoes if I did this trail again tomorrow. All bets would be off with the Desolation Trail, however.

Tower is big enough to allow 4 sets of hikers (one on each corner) to be distant from each other.

Nice views this morning before the storms moved in. Heard thunder rumbling and saw dark clouds to the north early this afternoon, likely related to the 90+ degree temperatures.

Trillium and bellwort in bloom, as well as hobblebush.  
Name
Name: rocket21 
E-Mail
E-Mail: rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-05-27 
Link
Link: https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos 
Bookmark and Share 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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved