| 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: |
Wednesday, February 9, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Sawyer River Trailhead lot just off 302 was very well plowed. I was only car at 8:30am, 3 when I finished. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock Hopping at split with the Carrigain/Vose Spur trail. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None. |
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 | Bugs: |
Nope. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Wore snowshoes from start until final walk out on Sawyer River Rd. I took the trail along the river at the far end of the parking lot from 302. It was pretty postholed, and initially I missed the switchback about .8 miles in that takes you up to Sawyer River Rd. A good reminder that if you get off the previously consolidated trail, it is waist deep at least. Once on Sawyer River Rd, it is groomed for snowmobiles. You could easily bareboot this, I did on the way down. I'd suggest just taking the Sawyer River rd from the lot although the river walk was kind of nice so if you want extra credit, maybe do it on the way down...look to the right about 300 yds past the cabin (going down) for the trail. Was a little sad when I got to Signal Ridge Trailhead that there were no tracks since last storm. It had rained a bit up to 2500' so snow was a little crusty on top, but still sinking in even with snowshoes...imo def want snowshoes the whole way. A lot of off-camber traversing on this route, which was tricky with the loose snow. Trail was obliterated with drifts in several places above 3800'. Views were spectacular from Signal Ridge and the summit, very little wind. Didn't see anyone else until the way down just past Signal Ridge. Was psyched to run into 3 hikers on the way up packing out the trail. Unfortunately, turns out they had barefooted for the first 2.5 miles and then switched to shoes so it was pretty chopped up for the last half of my descent. For the most part they were sinking in 4-8" but several deep postholes into water. If they kept their shoes on for the whole way down the trail is prob in pretty good shape. If they switched back to bareboating for the descent, the trail is going to be pretty chopped up. I really don't get why people carry snowshoes in conditions like today as opposed to using them.
Bottom line, snowshoes the whole way. 4 people hiked it since the last storm. Enjoy! |
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 | Name: |
KDW |
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 | E-Mail: |
kwelch@alum.mit.edu |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-02-09 |
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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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