Trail Conditions
Snow - Packed PowderWet/Slippery Rock
Notes
Firm conditions on ascent, mushy conditions on descent
Photos
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Trail Reports(4)
Trails Used
Road Walk, Signal Ridge Trail
Trail Conditions
Mud - Minor/Avoidable
Equipment
SnowshoesMicrospikes
Notes
Nice seeing Chad out there today. Read his report first. We met Chad near the top of the "misery mile” as we were heading up and he was heading down. As we were on the trails later in the afternoon, the snow was softer so there was more posthole action up high by the three hikers that were not in snowshoes. 5 of us were in snowshoes for the steeps on the way up and down. The trail was mostly in good shape with some bare ground down low with small patches of ice throughout. The road walk was mostly clear with snow mostly at the start then patches ice and snow while the majority of the road was clear.
Parking
dry and clear
Water Crossings
The choice today was wet feet or plastic bags/waders. While we made it across mostly dry in the morning, conditions had changed by the time we returned with higher water levels.
Wildlife
I counted seven (7) little black flies on the flats.
Trails Used
Road Walk, Signal Ridge Trail
Trail Conditions
Dry TrailSnow - Trace/Minimal DepthWet TrailSnow - Packed Powder/Loose GranularWet/Slippery RockMud - Minor/Avoidable
Equipment
SnowshoesMicrospikes
Notes
Surprisingly good conditions for April. Barebooted all the way to the summit thanks to packed early morning trails. Wore spikes on the way down as the trails were getting soft. Post holed a few times, but the descent was best described as getting choppy and 3 inch divots every few steps. A few hikers were wearing snow shoes which helped pack the trail a bit, but it's very much a choose your own traction situation. Great to meet Chief and his crew today.
Parking
About 8 cars all morning
Water Crossings
Didn't have much luck finding a rock path, so I opted to cross in Crocs. The water is about a foot deep and much warmer than I expected.
Trails Used
Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail, cut off, Signal Ridge
Trail Conditions
Dry TrailSnow - Trace/Minimal Depth
Equipment
SnowshoesMicrospikes
Notes
The road has bare spots and was unpleasently slushy by day's end. The flat part of signal ridge is in great shape, very easy, I chose microspikes but probably could have barebooted. The 3 miles of incline was perfect sticky lumpy snow - not slushy - I switched to snowshoes which made it much easier. I only saw one posthole. I also saw a mink by the observation tower.
Water Crossings
on the cut off that bypasses the Carrigain Notch Trail there are 2 significant water crossing that require some balance skill, water rose throughout the day. All others are small and hoppable.
Wildlife
saw a few towards the base