| 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, December 5, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Very large lot, well plowed. No toilets. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The broken out trail takes the "Old" route, left at the fork. 3 crossings, all easily rock/log hop-able. The first one while ascending I had to step on a rock 1/2" under water, but the stream is only 6" deep. For the other two there are plenty of stepping things (rocks, logs, etc) |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Too cold for my pooch today. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Great Fall hike on Carrigain, but it took all the suds to get it done. Started at 8:30am, -1F, but no wind. 2 hikers went out about 10 mins ahead of me. Caught them about .5 miles up Signal Ridge Trail. We all wore snowshoes all day, any other option would be foolish. After passing them, I broke trail to the summit. The half mile prior to Signal Ridge, and on the Ridge itself, there were mid thigh deep drifts that sucked. These could easily be drifted in by tomorrow. Based on other reports I've seen, I think Carrigain might have the most snow in the Whites right now. Below 3000', the rocks are still an issue under the snow but I think between the 3 of us we uncovered most of them. The snow was dry and unconsolidated all day, so snowshoes will be the footwear of choice until we get some thaw/freeze. The trick to hiking Carrigain right now if you don't have snowshoes is to not hike Carrigain. I wore my Dion snowshoes thinking it would either be broken out Weds or Thurs, or not that deep. Bad call, it was not hiked Weds or Thurs, and it was deep...should have worn my Tubbs for more surface area, better grip in the loose snow. Some pics of the trail conditions in the link. Fantastic views from the summit as always on a clear day. If the only time you hiked Carrigain it was not a clear day, you should go back! |
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 | Name: |
Borealis |
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 | E-Mail: |
kdwelch1@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-12-05 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/16661701607 |
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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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