Summit: Mount Carrigain (4,700')
Trail route: Sawyer Pond Road, Signal Ridge Trail
Trail conditions: Snow, cold, windy with partial sun
Weather: Cold and windy
Total miles: 13.5
Total time: 9:00
I would be joining Steve and Guy for this hike today. A trail report and weather conditions looked tolerable. The recent closing of the Sawyer River Road gate would add an extra four miles making it almost 14 miles out and back.
We put on microspikes at the parking lot and it was an easy walk up the road that had a thin cover of snow and ice. There was a couple of inches of snow at the trailhead. We took the old trail across the water crossing that posed no problem as the water level was low.
The snow depth increased going up Signal Ridge to about 4-5". The exposed areas of the ridge had a thin coating of snow from being wind blown. It was very frigid crossing the ridge and we wasted no time getting across and back into the trees. There was about 6-8" of snow going up the last section of trail to the summit with deeper drifts.
The summit observation tower was covered in rime ice. We climbed to the top platform but there were no views today due to the cloud cover. The temperature was 10°F with a howling wind. It was not a day for lingering and we soon started our descent. It was nice to get down below Signal Ridge and out of the cold wind.
It was a good hike back to the trailhead. Although the gate was closed there were fresh tire tracks on the road. Someone had driven in here today although not hikers as they drove past the trailhead parking area. The final two miles of road walk seemed the longest.
I found this to be a tough hike today with the new snow, cold temps and wind. It was definitely mid-winter conditions throughout the hike. Winter has arrived in the mountains and is probably here to stay.
Enjoy the photos and videos!
Whiteface Brook
After a 2-mile road walk the trail starts here
Ice formation around a submerged stick
Sun rising over a snow covered trail
Easy water crossing
Another water crossing
Ice formation
One more water crossing
Layering up in preparation for the frigid wind on Signal Ridge
Not much of a view on Signal Ridge
Arriving at the summit
Desolation Trail sign covered in rime ice
Climbing the summit tower
Guy and Steve on the summit tower
View from the summit
Tower covered in rime ice
Gray jay visiting and looking for a handout
Frosted trees
On a very windy and frigid Signal Ridge
Steve has frosted eye lashes after crossing Signal Ridge
Crossing the water again
Steve doing the low squat under a blowdown
Back at the trailhead with two more miles of road walk to the parking lot
The end of the road and hike are just ahead
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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