| 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, May 16, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
1 other car in lot just off 302. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Used the Winter route, on the way up the first crossing required stepping in ~2" deep water. On the way down, after the rain started, the trail was basically 2" deep in most places, and wading across the 1st and 3rd river crossings was maybe shin deep...amazing how quickly the river levels rose once the rain started (for 1 hour, it rained as hard as I've ever seen it). If hiking tomorrow, you'll likely need to get your feet wet both on the crossings and the trail in places...it was a mess. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few trees across the trail but nothing that a normal sized person couldn't easily step over. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Normally a good hike for a pup. There is a lot of poison ivy along Sawyer River Rd, so keep the pooch off you lap on the drive home if they are going through it. |
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 | Bugs: |
A few...I'd expect bugs if hiking on a warm day going forward...although maybe they all washed away. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
My own hat was both lost and found. |
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 | Comments: |
Forecast was for chance of showers. Trail was in great conditions on the way up, and the views from the summit tower were outstanding. Only 1 other hiker today, and passed him about 2/3s of the way up. It was pretty warm, and we agreed a little rain might be nice. 1 very small patch of snow, maybe 3 snowballs worth. Just as I got to the bottom of the steep part, there was an uncomfortably close clap of thunder, and a few minutes later it started to pour. I stopped to put my phone in a waterproof bag, and in the process dropped my hat and didn't notice for 3/4 of a mile...quite the dilemma...initially said F it and continued down but then self-shamed and figured I'd give the hat instant sentimental value and dropped the pack and turned around. This meant doing the 3 river crossings on the winter route 2 additional times as the deluge continued, and each time the water was noticeably deeper.
The final 2 miles of the Signal Ridge trail to Sawyer River Rd was an absolute river, from 2"-1' deep. There were additional lightning/thunder for the full hour it rained, but none as close as the first one. If hiking tomorrow, expect the trail to be wet, muddy, and washed out in some places. I don't think I've ever seen it rain that hard for 1 hour straight. By the time I got to the road walk portion, the rain had stopped and for the final mile the sun came back out. From reading other trip reports, it seems the rain was very localized, but Carrigain got the full monty. I only got 1 second of video of the rain fairly early on in the storm because the rain hitting my phone kept stopping the recording, but it is in the link below. Hope the other hiker got across the ridge before the lightning started! |
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 | Name: |
Borealis |
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 | E-Mail: |
kdwelch1@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-05-16 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/14503223017 |
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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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