Hiya!
As mentioned in my last post which recapped Mt. Moriah and Shelburne-Moriah, it’s been another week of many hikes. I’m making it a point though to recap as many as I can, both because I love sharing these adventures in hopes to inspire/motivate others to get on trail and also it’s nice for my memory!
I’m writing this post on the 5th, and actually just got home from finishing my round 3 of the NH48 on Moosilauke as a solo frolic. Solo hiking is definitely good for the soul… Post to come soon! In the meantime, let’s chat about the Carrigain hike!
The hike: Carrigain via Carrigain Notch Trail > Desolation Trail > Signal Ridge Trail
Miles: 13.6
Vert: ~3,898ft (according to my Garmin watch)
I tend to be a 8-10am start hiker. Of course, this depends on the hike and forecast – mileage, terrain, afternoon t-storms, etc. Well, this hike was slightly different and something I don’t necessarily recommend unless you know what you’re doing, have the right gear (layers, e-bivvy, headlamp (and batteries?!), food, extra water or a filter, map), and are prepared mentally to handle something in the dark if that were to happen. I had a 11am appointment on Thursday, so 1pm start it was for this hike. Casual 13.6 miles, no big (this is me being sarcastic).
It amuses me, a 13 mile hike doesn’t feel overly taxing at this point. I hike A LOT and have been hiking for years. My body is used to it, I’m used to it. But I still like to circle back and remind myself that while for me it doesn’t feel like that much – it’s still 13 miles, in the mountains, with vert, varying terrain, etc. It’s a good reality check, puts things in perspective, and reminds me to make sure I am legit prepared when I decide to start things like this at 1pm in October.
My friend Katie joined me for this loop and I’m happy she did! We have mainly been doing hikes when she gets out of work, so even later starts, but small hikes. I think each hike we’ve done, we talk about the day we get to hike a longer hike… well this was the day (though, I am still looking forward to a earlier start hike with her too!).
We decided to swap things up from the typical out and back of Signal Ridge Trail, and instead made a loop by heading up via Carrigain Notch Trail and Desolation Trail, and then heading down via Signal Ridge. After my friend Jess told me she tends to go up Desolation, we decided to ascend via that direction also noting that if we were to be in the dark at all it would then be on Signal Ridge coming down which we have both hiked numerous times.
The approach to Carrigain from the notch and Desolation is quite mellow and then quite steep. The notch trail has some ups and downs, but nothing too much. At the junction with Desolation the trail begins to climb some, but not too much for the first third of a mile or so. Having heard numerous reactions about this trail, neither of us knew what to expect other than steep.
After hiking up Desolation, I would totally be fine hiking down it. I’d say, if you’re someone who is comfortable with steep, sometimes odd footing, mossy rocks – either way will be fine! I can see benefits to clockwise or counter-clockwise on this loop, and it’s mostly personal preference. I LOVE going up steep rock scrambly stuff (steep slabs, not so much), but don’t mind going down it either.
If I’m being honest, my favorite part of this hike was Carrigain Notch Trail. It’s beautiful, relatively flat, and has some solid stretches of trail without numerous rocks and/or roots. A pro of a clockwise loop would be running out most of this trail!!
A perk of later starts is having the summit to yourself. Although, thinking back, this is my fourth hike of Carrigain and I’m pretty sure each time the summit was empty for at least part of the time I was up there… and no, I don’t spend an hour on the summit 😉 Timing is everything. That said, these mountains do seem to be getting more traffic this year than before.
The Gray Jay’s were out on this day and one was even just hanging out on the fire tower when we climbed up. Katie put her (foodless) hand out and it landed on her hand a few times, the last time it nipped her finger and then quickly flew back into the forest! These birds have been so conditioned to humans = food. When more came back, probably 4 of them, we joked they were going to carry us away.
From the summit, our hike/run down was pretty quick. We were determined to not need headlamps or even question needing headlamps. Fine line people, fine line. We fast hiked down most of Signal Ridge, and then ran some of the flat spots – which right now is a bit tough with all the leaves down and not wanting to sprain an ankle or two.
I’m going to miss “summer” (June – September). As much as I love late fall and winter hiking… I hate wearing pants, am usually cold, and the running/jogging/fast hiking/running-vest summer situation is my favorite. But, nothing is permanent. Summer will be back again. In the meantime, the plan is to try and squeeze as much good out of the colder months as possible.
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
Rachel Carson