| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Carrigain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sawyer River Road, herd path, Signal Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 23, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The area that was repaired after the 2017 storm (or Irene?) has again catastrophically failed - but not to the levels from before. This will require engineering to fix. The USFS has proposed a bridge in this area - for this exact reason. I do not see this road reopening to general vehicular traffic until this is repaired for safety reasons. It will likely cave in more. Several other minor to moderate washouts, all before the Saunders Estate. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
(OLD TRAIL) The first and largest crossing is not unpassable, but it requires some level of heroics in order to get across. We found passage upstream but it involved icy rocks, roots, and your boots in the water. This will NOT improve, especially as it warms up early next week, and with rain on Wednesday. You will need garbage bags of waders
(ACTUAL TRAIL) Two folks had done it and it sounded like they got a running start and leapt. They said if they missed it would have been a turn around. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Signal Ridge Trail should be renamed Signal River Trail. It did not fair that well in many spots with the storm. It's evident that a large volume of water went through this area by leaves frozen to small trees over knee height. There is significant erosion just past where the old and new trails rejoin down low (the new trail takes you upslope, old along river). Specifically in the area just after the moderate climb and it plateaus. This will require some hoe work in the summer time. The low spot in the railroad tunnel will also require some remediation work as well. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US! We will begin this report with our airing of grievances. I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH YOU PEOPLE - AND YOU'RE GONNA HEAR ABOUT IT. Why, on the 23rd of December, do the trails resemble that of May or October? The road walk was quick, albeit bullet ice for about half of it. Bare boot. Entering the hemlocks at the start, its a constant mix tape of bare ground, snow, ice flows, sort of like hitting the 'scan' button on your radio back in the day. Ever changing. For the kids there used to be a dial for this. There is significant silt everywhere from new river tributaries and channels. We opted for the old version of the trail as to go for three littler crossings, that only mildly helped (see above). I'd say spikes went on about 3600, same as yesterday on LW, and stayed on until maybe 3200 upon return, or thereabouts. Rock solid snow for now but it was noted severe undermining and washout through large sections, specifically in the switchbacks. You may end up feeling like Fred Costanza and rain blows upon the trail when you break through constantly on a warmup. I enjoyed a bagel (not H&H though) on the summit. I also was able to put a sawbuck on the #5 at Aqueduct while up there. Great views of 44 of 48, including the Bonds which I feel like I was just there. Weird. Ran into a Wolf and a Gorilla on the way down, they where in good spirits. Tedious hike out as it's a constant repeat and you couldn't really get a rhythm. We where able to exchange gifts as well, much to my dismay, I did not receive a gift of a donation to the Human Fund (Money for People!) I am not sure if it was Festivus Miracle - or a Feat of strength, to get up at 0330 to hike this. Congrats to Lil Squirt for finishing out December, and CaptChris for round 15 finish. Now to figure out tomorrows tedious task, but first I need to quit crying about the trails, eat my meatloaf, and go fight my father.
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat, CaptChris, Lil Squirt |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-23 |
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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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