Franconia Ridge

Franconia Ridge

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Spectacular Sunday Hike to Mount Carrigain


Summit: Mount Carrigain (4,700')
Trail route: Signal Ridge Trail
Trail conditions: Mostly dry with a few wet areas
Weather: Warm sunny day with a cool dry wind
Total miles: 10
Total time:  7:51

Cool, dry air arrived overnight after a week of heat and humidity. It was going to be a great day to get up in the mountains. I would be joining Amy and Amy and Brenda and Jill for a hike to Mount Carrigain.

This is a very popular hike and I was expecting the parking lot to be full but there were several available spots remaining when I arrived. We were all able to get into the parking lot even as more hikers were arriving. It was apparent there would be many people on the trail today.

It was a nice cool start on the trail. As we gained elevation there was a good breeze blowing especially up on the exposed area of Signal Ridge. We arrived at the summit and were not alone as there was a group of hikers sitting below the summit tower. There was no one on the tower so we went up. The views were spectacular and we got plenty of pics. Back down below the tower we sat in the sun and ate lunch. 

After a nice break we started our descent. We met many hikers coming up as we were going down, also many dogs enjoying the trail today. It was a pleasant hike back to the trailhead. What a difference a day makes as yesterday would've been a miserable muggy slog with the heat and humidity. It was nice to hike this summit with a fun group of hikers today!

I have now hiked to Mount Carrigain in nine different months but I have some tough months ahead of me to grid this summit out, February, March and April. Those months also include an additional two mile road walk each way in a variety of winter conditions. I have two more hikes this month to grid out three more summits and the month of August!

Enjoy the photos and video!

Sunrise on the drive to the trailhead

Scott, Lisa and Jim are up between Madison and Adams watching the sunrise on a Presi traverse

Sun rising above Mount Washington and the Presidential summits

The hike starts here

Easy water crossing

After 1.7 miles 3.3 more miles to the summit

Community of mushrooms

A view from the trail of Stairs Mountain

Indian pipe

A view from Signal Ridge

Summit up ahead

Summit observation tower

Signal Ridge below

The Sisters and Mount Chocorua

Lots of mountains can be seen from the summit of Mount Carrigain

Hancocks

Presidential summits under the clouds

Mount Chocorua

Vose Spur below

A last view before dropping below treeline

A mushroom mini me



Another 1.7 miles to the parking lot

Back at the trailhead

View From the Summit Observation Tower



Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!

No comments:

Post a Comment