Mount Carrigain Hike

On Saturday, October 18th, fourteen of us (Kevin, John, Charles, Mike, Rob, Mark, Doug, Peter, Fernando, Dan, Todd, Craig, Brian and myself) met up at the Signal Ridge Trailhead on Sawyer River Road at 8:30AM.&nbsp It was a bit chilly, but otherwise a gorgeous fall day in the White Mountains...deep blue skies with only the occasional passing cloud.&nbsp Everyone showed up pretty much on time, so after the usual introductions, we hit the trail a little before 9AM.&nbsp The initial portion of the trail was relatively flat with a couple of brook crossings (Carrigain Brook).&nbsp After the junction with Carrigain Notch Trail, the trail began to become more moderate in grade.&nbsp We had a couple of guys, who were relatively new to hiking, so we proceeded at a slow pace.&nbsp This worked out well as it was a very social group of guys.&nbsp Along the way there were a couple of very nice outlooks down into the valley and over to Vose Spur, but it didn't really open up until we reached the top of the ridge.&nbsp By that point part of the group had gone on to the summit, while the rest of us took our time.&nbsp One member of the group (Todd) did not want to cross the ridge, so he stayed there while we made the final push up to the summit.&nbsp we met up as a group at the peak at about 1PM under the viewing platform (which had served as a firetower at one point).&nbsp The views from the platform were awesome as the air was crystal clear.&nbsp It was fairly cold at the summit with ice covering the tower and the surrounding trees, but there was very little wind.&nbsp During lunch we popped open a couple of bottles of champagne to celebrate my final NH peak (thanks to Mike also for bringing a bottle).&nbsp A little before 2PM, we took a group photo, packed up and got ready for the return trip back down the Signal Ridge Trail.&nbsp On the way down we pretty much stayed together as a group, taking only a few breaks along the way.&nbsp We even had one adventurous soul (John), who decided to take the plunge into one of the pools in the Carrigain Brook (I can only imagine how cold it was!).&nbsp We made it back to the parking lot just past 5PM.&nbsp A few of the guys took off...the rest of us went over to Matty B's Mountainside Cafe for a nice dinner before heading back.&nbsp This couldn't have been a more perfect day to cap off my 4000-footers in NH...a beautiful day and a great group of guys.&nbsp Thanks to everyone who joined me!

Join me for a fall hike up the distinctively-humped Mount Carrigain (4700') via the Signal Ridge.&nbsp Despite the 3300-foot elevation gain this trail mostly follows the old access route to the summit fire tower and its grades are relatively moderate.&nbsp There are great panoramic views from the summit and tower...in fact on a good day 43 other 4000-footers in the Whites can be seen from it's peak.&nbsp We'll meet at 8:30 AM at the parking area on Sawyer River Road (2 miles in from Route 302, which is west of Bartlett, NH) for this 10-miles hike.&nbsp Be prepared for chilly temperatures on the summit.&nbsp Also bring along/wear good hiking boots with thick socks, lunch, snacks and plenty of water.&nbsp If there's interest we'll cap off the hike with dinner at a local restaurant.