| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Carrigain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail, herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 28, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Winter lot plowed. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All open, but rock hoppable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few duck-unders and some brushy areas, not nothing too bad. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Probably a good idea to be leashed on Sawyer River Road due to snowmobile traffic. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A trace to an inch of snow fell overnight into the morning on top of a breakable crust (not strong enough to support a snowshoe, but generally strong enough to support a dog). Full snow cover and not at all bony.
Sawyer River Road was packed out by snowmobile traffic. Sugar snow consistency in the morning made snowshoes or skis the ideal choice, as Microspikes would be like walking in sand.
Signal Ridge Trail had been previously broken out (thank you!), but a bunch of snowshoers today worked to improve the footbed and get rid of the crusty sideslope stretches. Unfortunately, three parasitic postholers got a late start (shocking) and beat up the footbed (can see them coming from far away - the duck walking short stride and slow progress). Some nasty postholes (including into waterbars and tree stumps). One group of overnight snowshoers will hopefully be able to fix some of the damage. Ironically the Massachusetts Microspikers (judging by the parking lot this afternoon) missed the turn onto the relo near the brook, resulting in them floundering around off trail when the snowshoe track turned around. One of the many reasons experienced hikers wear snowshoes this time of the year.
No tracks on Carrigain Notch or the swamp relo of Signal Ridge.
Approaching the ridge, there was active drifting from the early morning snow and whipping wind. Tracks were obliterated in minutes. The ridge itself is cornicing nicely, providing views over the trees that you don't get in the winter.
Nice mild day with clearing skies and temperatures rising into the 30s down low.
Other assorted parking lot notes: Nancy Pond plowed, Mt. Clinton Road/Crawford Connector not plowed, Haystack Road bump out not plowed, Five Corners plowed, Garfield winter lot not plowed (but some tracks). |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-01-28 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/ |
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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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