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About


Mt. Carrigain
Livermore, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
The drifted Signal Ridge Trail
The drifted Signal Ridge Trail

Route: Sawyer River Road, bushwhack, Signal Ridge Trail, (Mt. Carrigain), Signal Ridge Trail, Sawyer River Road

After days of warm weather and rain, things appeared to be becoming more seasonable. With brooks finally dropping after excessively high run off, we opted to give Carrigain a go.

After walking Sawyer River Road (completely bare until the Signal Ridge Trail trailhead), we continued over the road bridge, then bushwhacked south of the brook, reaching the trail just after the on-trail crossing. From there, we alternated barebooting and snowshoeing. The brook crossing immediately after the Carrigain Notch junction was also running high, with stepping stones a few inches under water. We were fortunately able to keep our snowshoes on once we reached the actual climb.

Conditions weren't great, as the trail was filled with leaning spruce and featured a somewhat dangerous monorail - very deep with a decent drop off on the downhill side. Reaching Signal Ridge, the drift had melted significantly since my visit in March. Nonetheless, it was still pretty impressive.

Having been hiking in light snow for the bulk of the ascent, we had no views from the somewhat windy summit. Pressed for time, we opted to descend right away. Of course, within maybe an hour, the skies cleared.

Reaching the brook crossings and already having damp feet, we opted to cross the Whiteface Brook (stepping stones a few inches underwater), rather than partake in the bushwhack. While Sawyer River Road was still closed to the public as we walked back, some vehicles were using it to access the house near the height of land - it would be nice to be able to have a key to the gate for this time of the year!


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Difficult
Destination: Mt. Carrigain
Length: Difficult
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Difficult
Views: Minimal (due to weather)
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Saturday, April 10, 2010
Hike Commenced: 7:28 AM
Parking Elevation: 900'
Destination: Mt. Carrigain
Ascent Commenced: 8:06 AM
Summit Reached: 11:43 AM
Time Elapsed: 03:37
Trailhead Elevation: 1,370'
Summit Elevation: 4,700'
Vertical Gain: 3,460'
Hike Ended: 3:10 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 07:42
Hike Vertical Gain: 4,070'


The start of the bushwhack just beyond the Signal Ridge Trail trailhead on Sawyer River Road
The start of the bushwhack just beyond the Signal Ridge Trail trailhead on Sawyer River Road

Fog as seen from Mt. Carrigain - Click to enlarge
Fog as seen from Mt. Carrigain




Directions to trailhead: Take Route 302 West from Bartlett to Sawyer River Road. In winter, there is a WMNF fee parking lot located to the left of the closed Sawyer River Road. The Signal Ridge Trail is 2 miles up Sawyer River Road, on the right. When the Whiteface Brook is running high, one can bushwhack south of the brook, reaching the Signal Ridge Trail less than a quarter of a mile later.

Back to Mt. Carrigain Profile




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