Trails Used

Sawyer River Road, Signal Ridge Trail, Carrigain Notch Trail, herd path, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

This was another installment of the Thag and Uki show and we lucked out and had Dave and Amy join us. We also noticed that grading had been done on Sawyer River Road but no work seemed to have occurred around the washout. We happily cruised along for the first 4 miles and then began our own whack prior the herd path by the boulder. We followed the ridge as long as we could and then cut over following the path of least resistance. This is one steep son of a gun. We were sure we close and then made the critical error of checking Amy's gps for our elevation and realized we still had another 700 feet of gain. Slogging on we reached the talus field. The rocks are wobbly but they were dry so it was far less terrifying. After crossing the talus field we followed a herd path that was relentlessly steep, almost comically steep in places. It meandered in and out but we just pushed up. We reached a flat area and found the remnants of the old summit cairn but couldn't find the canister. We fanned out in all directions determined to find it. Sure enough, after pushing through some additional blowdowns Steve found it. We celebrated with chocolate and snacks and then retraced our steps. We lost the herd path above the talus field and whacked our way down, popping out too far to the left. We opted to just cross the talus field from that side which was time consuming due to the footing and then picked the herd path back up. We followed that herd path back down (using the more traditional route) to connect to the Carrigain Notch trail near the big rock. This was a DAY. We all agreed we had a great time and that working on this list has been a blast. We have ventured to places we wouldn't have seen otherwise and hanging out with friends who like this kind of adventuring and can laugh over all our antics is priceless. Today was a test of our hiking relationships and we passed with flying colors. Yay to always seeming to find my people. Even in the middle of nowhere.

Parking

There were more cars in the lot at 7am than we expected. There was still plenty of room for more. I think there were 3 cars in the lot when we finished besides ours.

Water Crossings

The one crossing we had was super easy. The levels are very low. All others were dry.

Wildlife

We saw some yellow and black flying creatures around the talus field. No one was stung.

Trails Used

Road walk, Signal Ridge Tr, Carrigain Notch Tr, herd path/bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

Stunning Views from the boulder field atop Vose made this hike. The 0.7 mi bushwhack with 1700’ gain off of Carrigain Notch Trail? - not sure I’ve found a redeeming quality for it yet apart from a view nice views at Mt. Lowell and Signal Ridge. We lost and found the herd paths several times on both the bottom and top halves, even though there are occasional pink flagging tapes at a few spots. (Poor Gene Daniels is rolling over in his grave). That said, the pink flagging where you enter and exit the boulder field is extremely helpful - so thank you, whomever. Also the top tape is next to a sizable cairn to help you find your way. I’m sure we posted a new record for the Slowest Known Time (SKT) on this one due to the bushwhack. But this being #100 for us - who cares. We made it, and are boots are seasoned and ready for more.

Parking

Only 4-5 spots open at 7:30 am. Passed 4 sets of campers heading down from Carrigain - great night for it.

Water Crossings

Low and easy, because unlike in May, we carried water shoes.

Wildlife

Windy which kept them away.

Trails Used

Signal Ridge Trail, Carrigain Notch Trail, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

Tricky bushwhack on this day. It starts just past large rock on Carrigain Notch Trail, where trail curls sharply to the left. We then proceeded up a gully-like herd path, but then it got confusing. Edging to the right, we got to the scree field. We then went too far up it. Only go about halfway up and look for opening into the woods on your left. Then take an immediate sharp right and you'll see the steep herd path.

Parking

Carrigain winter lot has room for 20-plus cars.

Water Crossings

Dry and low crossings on both trails, but recent rains might have elevated the flow

Wildlife

Pesky to start the morning, but faded out as clouds rolled in.

Trails Used

Signal Ridge, Carrigain Notch, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

We took a left off Carrigain Notch Trail shortly after crossing the scree field at about 5.5 miles in from the parking lot. from there we followed the ridge up to the main scree field crossing the field and proceeding up the left side to the summit. the ridge was easy to follow without the use of GPS or a compass. Above the scree field, the herd path was easy to follow to the summit. there were several areas with tangles of blowdowns while crossing to the summit. on the way down we took an easier route by whacking to the NNE then looping to the right to a SSE direction back to the heard path below the scree field. This is a true bushwhack. We were able to avoid the blowdowns and steep areas up top and the scree field. We followed the same ridge line on the way down that we used on the way up thus avoiding the lower steep areas that you encounter if you turn off after the Rock. Please message me if you would like a copy of the track. NOTE: there was no water available after the main water crossing on the signal Ridge Trail.

Parking

plenty of parking at lot on Rt 302

Water Crossings

water levels are los so the crossing was easy and the feet came out dry

Wildlife

some but not bad

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Signal Ridge Trail, Carrigain Notch Trail, Vose Spur herd path, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

A worthy challenge today, tackling not only Vose Spur but also the connecting ridge to Carrigain so I could get my reward of sweeping views from the tower. The forecast was for potential rain showers, but fortunately there was only a couple occasions of drizzle lightly wetting things; the sun made quick work of that once it came out. I started the bushwhack up Vose Spur right upon the end of the last drizzle. The herd path to Vose Spur starts after (not at) the big rock at the south end of Carrigain Notch. The trail makes a bend left after the rock, and then you'll see an obvious path opening to the left (not marked by a cairn). It quickly becomes a stream and it's not always obvious that it's the herd path - but it is. After a few hundred vertical feet, it enters deciduous woods for another few hundred feet before entering the conifers for good. Someone has put down sporadic pink flagging to mark key locations of the path (they're more useful for ensuring you're on the right track rather than as a way to follow the trail). In general, if you're good at following such paths, you won't have a hard time staying reasonably on track. Once the herd path reaches the crest of the south slope of Vose Spur, it is pretty easy to follow to the rock slide. Occasional small blowdowns means you'll have to correct course a few times. Upon reaching the slide, move up along the right side for best footing. At the top end, the path exits to the left and then becomes quite steep and trickier to follow. You'll need to pull yourself up by tree roots, etc. Once you reach the summit crest, there is lots of blowdown and you'll need to navigate it to the summit on the far side. It was a nice workout to get here, and the temps were beautiful and the bugs kept at bay. I'm definitely going to consider this time of year to get in some of the other Hundred Highest semi-bushwhack peaks! Now for Carrigain. It is actually pretty easy to get to the col between Vose Spur and Carrigain if you stay on the N side of the Vose Spur crest on the way down - forest is relatively open. The col is a bit thicker, but it's not too hard to get to the rock slide below the NE sub peak of Carrigain. Some nice rare views from there. At the top of the right side of the slide is a small opening where it's evident others have gone before. But that route is only clear for about 50 feet - the next 200 feet or so is the crux, just straight up whacking through thick brush and doing your best to gain elevation. As you go higher, perhaps trend to the right to try to get more open woods, but you'll still need to work hard. It took me just over an hour to get from Vose Spur to the top of the sub peak. From the sub peak to Carrigain, there is a very faint herd path. Lots of little blowdowns means you must weave left and right along the ridge - but thankfully there's no huge deadfalls. Some snow patches were along the ridge in this section. Near the top of Carrigain the scrub gets a bit thicker. There is a nice small alpine meadow on the E side of the small bump just east of the Carrigain summit. My time from Vose Spur to Carrigain was 2 1/2 hours. Beautiful breeze and temps on the top. I only saw 2 people all day, on the Signal Ridge Trail. There were just 2 tiny avoidable monorails in one spot on the way down, the only actual snow on a maintained trail. The final upper elevations of deciduous forest (2000-2500 feet) are just beginning to leaf out.

Parking

As most know, Sawyer River Road is closed indefinitely, adding 4 miles to the round trip hike.

Water Crossings

Carrigain Brook is still running a bit high - had to take off my boots to ford it. On the way back, was able to rock hop due to more stable footing at the end of the hopping. Most would still want to ford though.

Wildlife

Some present, but thankfully not a nuisance yet! That will likely change quickly due to 5/19 and 5/20's warm weather.