| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Carrigain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Nancy Pond Trail, Carrigain Notch Trail, Desolation Trail, Signal Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 28, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We did not have trouble parking either at Nancy Pond Trailhead or at Signal Ridge Trailhead. The former was nearly full at 9am. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Of the many stream crossings on the route, all were doable with careful rock hopping. The most difficult was the crossing of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River 6.8 miles along the Nancy Pond Trail (0.3 miles west of where Anderson and Norcross Brooks merge - caltopo calls the merged brook Norcross Brook instead of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River). That crossing was rock-hoppable too by stepping on submerged rocks 1/2 inch deep, though the water flow will push water higher onto your boot if you spend more than a split second standing there. There were plenty of rocks around that could be moved to make things easier. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several blowdowns. Some annoying ones I remember were: 1. On Nancy Pond Trail after the sharp right turn at 1.9 miles but before the cascades. 2. Near Nancy Pond itself. 3. Along the descent beyond Norcross Pond. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Surprisingly not too bad on this warm day, though I did get bitten once or twice over the course of the day. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Saw some blue sunglasses hanging on a tree at Nancy Pond - left them there. |
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 | Comments: |
Nancy Pond Trail was dry, with a tiny bit of avoidable snow near the highest part, not really worth mentioning - might be gone in a few days. Lots of moose scat on the far end of Nancy Pond Trail and from there to the base of the Desolation Trail, but no moose! The steep upper half mile of Desolation Trail was mostly covered in snow, but in every place it was possible to step on horizontal steps in the snow made by previous hikers, or to step on rocks protruding from the snow, or to step on branches or moss on the sides of the trail. One could use microspikes here, but we found it just as easy to do with regular summer hiking boots. Descending Signal Ridge Trail from the summit, there was a tiny bit of avoidable snow at the very top, but then it was a dry rocky trail all the way down to the crossing of Carrigain Brook. In that area (near the intersection with Carrigain Notch Trail) the official trail goes a little to the north to have one easier stream crossing instead of three, but we took the older more direct route, and on this older route, only the easternmost of the three crossings required stepping on a half-inch-submerged rock, not really a problem if you are being careful, even if your boots are not waterproof. Below Carrigain Brook, the Signal Ridge Trail is less rocky and could be mostly hiked fast, though there were some wet sections with substantial mud. |
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 | Name: |
mathbp |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-05-29 |
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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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