brobichaud
Member
Trails: Nancy Pond Trail, herd path, Carrigain Notch Trail, Signal Ridge Trail, Sawyer River Road, Rt. 302
Nancy Pond Trail clear up to the base of the cascade. Up through the switchbacks, there are at least two dozen blowdowns, of the step over, climb over, and duck under varieties. A couple stepovers here and there up to Norcross Pond. The herd path up Nancy was in good shape, a couple blowdowns, but nothing of consequence. Nancy Pond Trail descending towards the Carrigain Notch junction was in good shape for the most part. There was a cluster of blowdowns that requires a bit of care to get around just after the first crossing. I came over it on its left side, and was glad I was paying attention, the trail jogs right at this spot. Just after the second crossing, there's a blowdown that obscures the trail, and a herd path goes right... the trail goes straight ahead through the top of the blown down tree. There is also a small cluster down a few 10ths before the Carrigain Notch junction, requiring an interesting climb over. Carrigain Notch Trail was in decent shape for the most part, pretty leaf covered in spots. Within 1/10th of the junction, there are a couple sections of serious erosion, 3 to 4 feet deep in spots. The two dry crossings beyond the height of land were confusing for a second, then I saw the trail on the other side of the rocks. Signal Ridge Trail in good shape, the two relocations were the only sections where I ran into mud that wasn't frozen.
Perfect weather today for this loop. Was going to hit Vose Spur, but arrived past my cut-off, so I scratched it. Good going up to the base of the cascade, then a ton of blowdowns to negotiate up to the ponds. Nancy herd path in good shape, minimal blowdowns. The north and east views from Nancy are superb, couldn't ask for better. View from the outlet of Norcross Pond is stunning as well. Fairly smooth sailing down into the wilderness, some blowdowns to wrestle with, and the stream crossings would definitely be interesting with more water. Carrigain Notch is a beautiful place, I want to take some time to explore more when I'm there next... the maneuvers happening overhead took away from the experience a bit, but there you have it. Didn't recognize Signal Ridge at all until near the end on the relocations. Road walk out Sawyer River Road and down 302. Carried spikes, never even thought about using them. ~17.5 miles, ~4000 feet of gain, 7:52.
Also, no real ice of consequence today. What is there is easily avoidable. Ground is mostly frozen, there were a couple of soft sections which was nice on my tired feet.
The full story with pictures is HERE.
Cheers,
Bill
Nancy Pond Trail clear up to the base of the cascade. Up through the switchbacks, there are at least two dozen blowdowns, of the step over, climb over, and duck under varieties. A couple stepovers here and there up to Norcross Pond. The herd path up Nancy was in good shape, a couple blowdowns, but nothing of consequence. Nancy Pond Trail descending towards the Carrigain Notch junction was in good shape for the most part. There was a cluster of blowdowns that requires a bit of care to get around just after the first crossing. I came over it on its left side, and was glad I was paying attention, the trail jogs right at this spot. Just after the second crossing, there's a blowdown that obscures the trail, and a herd path goes right... the trail goes straight ahead through the top of the blown down tree. There is also a small cluster down a few 10ths before the Carrigain Notch junction, requiring an interesting climb over. Carrigain Notch Trail was in decent shape for the most part, pretty leaf covered in spots. Within 1/10th of the junction, there are a couple sections of serious erosion, 3 to 4 feet deep in spots. The two dry crossings beyond the height of land were confusing for a second, then I saw the trail on the other side of the rocks. Signal Ridge Trail in good shape, the two relocations were the only sections where I ran into mud that wasn't frozen.
Perfect weather today for this loop. Was going to hit Vose Spur, but arrived past my cut-off, so I scratched it. Good going up to the base of the cascade, then a ton of blowdowns to negotiate up to the ponds. Nancy herd path in good shape, minimal blowdowns. The north and east views from Nancy are superb, couldn't ask for better. View from the outlet of Norcross Pond is stunning as well. Fairly smooth sailing down into the wilderness, some blowdowns to wrestle with, and the stream crossings would definitely be interesting with more water. Carrigain Notch is a beautiful place, I want to take some time to explore more when I'm there next... the maneuvers happening overhead took away from the experience a bit, but there you have it. Didn't recognize Signal Ridge at all until near the end on the relocations. Road walk out Sawyer River Road and down 302. Carried spikes, never even thought about using them. ~17.5 miles, ~4000 feet of gain, 7:52.
Also, no real ice of consequence today. What is there is easily avoidable. Ground is mostly frozen, there were a couple of soft sections which was nice on my tired feet.
The full story with pictures is HERE.
Cheers,
Bill
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