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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Carrigain, NH
Trails
Trails: Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, January 27, 2023
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at the winter lot on Sawyer River Rd. This lot was well plowed today and would be fine for any vehicle. Kiosk in lot pertains to snowmobile trail. No privy. This is a large lot as it is often used to park and unload snowmobile trailers.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: I elected to take the old trail that has two water crossings vs the reroute. This is the second reroute heading in the direction of the summit. The water crossings were simple to cross, they were open, though. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: My dog did awesome, even with deep snow at higher elevations. I kept him close on the spine of Signal Ridge as there is a substantial drop off on the right (as making your way to the summit). It’s not a cliff, just something I didn’t want him to slide down forcing me to rescue him through innumerable tree wells. 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Route:
Roadwalk on Sawyer River rd > Signal Ridge Trail > back the way we came.

Sawyer River rd: closed in winter to vehicles as it is a popular snowmobile route. 5 snowmobiles encountered today. Drivers all courteous, slowing down to give me time to grab my dog. I still got off the road to let them pass, though. I used snowshoes on the road for traction and flotation. The snow is not deep, feel free to wear whatever you want.

Signal Ridge: totally unbroken when I started out today. In the morning I was able to stay on top of the barely visible trench in snowshoes as it was nice and frozen up to about 2000 feet. The corridor was simple to discern, though note that this is my 6th time here. The first reroute is well blazed in yellow and I took this as the old route is washed out in sections. Then the snow got thicker, but nothing insane. Further along the trail splits again, though there is not blazing at first to signify this. I elected to take the old route rather than the new one that goes out to junction with Carrigan Notch Trail. In winter, the old route is often used and simple to follow.

Once beginning the true climb (I think this is 2.2 miles from the summit), the terrain got steep, fast. The snow was softening a bit in the warming temps. I was starting to really break trail through several inches of new snow. There did not seem like there was a solid trench underneath the new snow. But it’s hard to say while wearing snowshoes. Still not insane amounts of snow. Not long after the climbing begins the side hills come on with a vengeance. My gad the side hills. This nearly killed my spirit (not to mention my ankles and knees). They went on well up to nearly the ridge. There were significant drifts starting just below the ridge, stopping along the wind swept semi exposed ridge line, then resuming for the duration up to the summit. Without snowshoes I would have been miserable. I was able to follow the corridor without any issue.

The summit tower was covered in a few inches of crusty snow and I was able to go up and down the steps in snowshoes.

Then the descent began. It felt like I was re-breaking trail as my body weight and increased velocity from going down was causing me to punch though another layer of snow. Plus, at this point, the snow was turning into styrofoam flipping thick shards up in the trail or along the sides. It was really quite messy.

Only three other persons encountered, all wearing snowshoes. Hopefully, by the time they all exit, the trail will be a bit better pounded down.

I encourage everyone attempting to do this trail in the next few days to wear snowshoes. There really isn’t a good enough trench yet to support spikes. Tonight’s freezing temps will help, but the trail is choppy and covered in thick crusty snow, especially above 2500 feet.  
Name
Name: Remington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2023-01-27 
Link
Link: https:// 
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