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Mount Carrigain

Mount Carrigain is a 4,700-foot mountain in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, located in Grafton County.

Prominence: 2240 ft Range: Pemigewasset Wilderness
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Elevation: 4,700 ft

Mount Carrigain

Mountain Overview
General Info
Elevation
4,700 ft
Prominence
2240 ft
Range
Pemigewasset Wilderness
Trail Type
Out & back - common.
Difficulty
Difficult
Exposure
Medium - exposed ridge and tower; can be windy, but much of trail is in woods.
Typical Time
6–8 hours - out-and-back.
Best seasons
Summer and fall - Tower views best on clear days; Sawyer River Road closed in winter.
Water availability
Yes - Whiteface Brook near trail start; small streams along lower Signal Ridge Trail.
Cell reception
None/spotty - very limited due to remote location; occasional signal from tower if any.
First Photo & Camera
Mountain
Mount Carrigain
Photo
Snow-covered Trees with Peak under Clear Blue Winter Sky
Description
Captured on a cold December morning, this landscape photograph showcases the serene beauty of Mount Carrigain in the White Mountains. Snow blankets the dense forest trails and ridge lines, while the crisp air and clear sky reveal the mountain's textured summit. This scene epitomizes winter hiking conditions and mountain weather typical of New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest.
Dimensions
2200 x 1467
Credit
© Nathan Sobol / NH48pics.com

Area Map

OpenStreetMap area view with summit marker and nearby trail context.

Peak trail map

Static map preview

Mount Carrigain: summit area with linked trail context.

Summit: 44.0964, -71.4322

Trails: Signal Ridge Trail, Desolation Trail, Signal Ridge Trail - out & back., Desolation Trail - steep ascent, via Carrigain Notch loop.

Trails

Current Summit Weather

NOAA / NWS point forecast for this summit location.

NOAA / NWS Server snapshot pending

Static guide content is available now; the Worker injects the latest weather snapshot when the page is served.

Astronomy

Sun and moon timing for this peak.

USNO Server snapshot pending

The Worker injects the latest astronomy timing when the page is served.

Monthly Weather Averages

Climate context

Monthly climatology baseline near this summit elevation.

12-month profile

Water & Crossing Context

Stream context

Multi-source water data near routes, trailheads, and drainages associated with this peak. These readings and support layers provide runoff and crossing context, not a safe/unsafe crossing decision.

Route water note: Yes - Whiteface Brook near trail start; small streams along lower Signal Ridge Trail.

Saco River

SACO RIVER AT RIVER STREET, AT BARTLETT, NH

367 cfs · 3.49 ft gage · falling · fresh
USGS Historical, Observed NHDES Observed NWPS Forecast HADS Observed StreamStats Modeled

Broad Bartlett valley context for Sawyer River, Rocky Branch, and Kanc-side access days after heavy rain.

Observed May 2, 2026, 5:45 AM • 7.3 mi context

  • StreamStats / SS-Hydro modeled context: Configured support context for ungaged Saco/Crawford-side crossings; this is modeled planning context only.
Official source

Swift River

SWIFT RIVER 0.5 MI BL HOBBS BR, NR CONWAY, NH

No Current Core Data
USGS Historical, Observed

Swift River context for Kancamagus crossings and Sandwich / Passaconaway approach planning.

  • Nearby live proxy: Saco River near Conway, NH • SACO RIVER AT RIVER STREET, AT BARTLETT, NH
Official source

Observed gages, forecasts, and modeled support context provide drainage context only. They do not determine whether a specific crossing is safe. Treat rising, stale, modeled, or missing readings conservatively.

Nearby Peaks & Connections

Parking & Access

Signal Ridge Trailhead - Sawyer River Road.
Trailhead parking
Small lot off Sawyer River Road - road is gated in winter ~2 miles from trailhead.
Trailhead
Signal Ridge Trailhead - Sawyer River Road.
Capacity
15 vehicles (est.)
Last verified
2026-02-14

Access roads & trailheads

Sawyer River Rd

FR 34

Closed

District Saco • Last updated Nov 26, 2023

Trailheads: Signal Ridge / Carrigain Notch Trailhead

Heavily damaged by December 2023 storm. Closed until repaired.

Verify official sources and posted signs before driving to a trailhead.

Difficulty Metrics

Technical difficulty (1-10)
6
Physical effort (1-10)
7
Difficulty class
Difficult
Typical completion time
6–8 hours - out-and-back.

Risk & Preparation

Risk factors
Scramble / steep, No cell service
Preparation notes
Download offline maps and do not rely on cell service; leave a plan with someone.
Bailout distance
0 mi
Weather exposure
Medium - exposed ridge and tower; can be windy, but much of trail is in woods.
Field planning note
Signal Ridge Trail - out & back. - 10.0 - 3,250 - Difficult - Out & back Yes - Whiteface Brook near trail start; small streams along lower Signal Ridge Trail. Small lot off Sawyer River Road - road is gated in winter ~2 miles from trailhead.

Wilderness Safety

Water availability
Yes - Whiteface Brook near trail start; small streams along lower Signal Ridge Trail.
Cell reception
None/spotty - very limited due to remote location; occasional signal from tower if any.
Best seasons
Summer and fall - Tower views best on clear days; Sawyer River Road closed in winter.

Trail & Terrain

Terrain
Moderate grade through forest, then steep switchbacks; open ridge with some rock underfoot near summit
Scramble sections
No - steep hiking but no hand-and-foot climbing required.
View type
360° - fire tower on summit offers panoramic views.
Summit marker
Fire tower - observation platform on summit.
Flora / environment
Deciduous forest low - birch, beech.; boreal spruce-fir higher up; small alpine-like clearing on Signal Ridge with low scrub
Nearby 4,000-footer connections
None - Carrigain stands somewhat isolated in the Pemigewasset Wilderness.

Mount Carrigain Route & Conditions

Route
Mount Carrigain's standard hiking options include Signal Ridge Trail - out & back at 10 miles with 3,250 feet of gain and Desolation Trail - steep ascent, via Carrigain Notch loop at 13.5 miles with 3,300 feet of gain. A typical completion time is 6–8 hours - out-and-back.
Terrain and exposure
This is a difficult Pemigewasset Wilderness hike. Expect moderate grade through forest, then steep switchbacks; open ridge with some rock underfoot near summit. There are no major scrambling sections; expect steep hiking but no hand-and-foot climbing required. Upper-mountain terrain includes deciduous forest low, birch, beech.; boreal spruce-fir higher up; small alpine-like clearing on Signal Ridge with low scrub and 360°, fire tower on summit offers panoramic views. Weather and exposure are defining planning concerns here: medium, exposed ridge and tower; can be windy, but much of trail is in woods.
Weather window
The best normal hiking window is summer and fall, roughly Tower views best on clear days; Sawyer River Road closed in winter. Download offline maps and do not rely on cell service; leave a plan with someone.
Water, signal, and bailout
Water is available: whiteface Brook near trail start; small streams along lower Signal Ridge Trail. Cell reception is none/spotty, very limited due to remote location; occasional signal from tower if any. Bailout options include No quick bailout trails, must return via Signal Ridge or descend into Carrigain Notch which is very remote. Nearby live water context is available from Saco River and Swift River.
Trailhead and access
The most common trailhead is Signal Ridge / Carrigain Notch Trailhead, with room for about 15 vehicles. Small lot off Sawyer River Road - road is gated in winter ~2 miles from trailhead. Seasonal access-road context includes Sawyer River Rd.
Connected route context
Major linked trails include Signal Ridge Trail and Desolation Trail. Nearby 4,000-footer connections include Bondcliff, Mount Hancock - North Peak., Owl's Head, and West Bond.

Last Updated: 2026-02-14