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The Signal Ridge Trail mostly follows the old access trail to the former Mount Carrigain fire lookout, so grades are moderate. Good views can be obtained from the tower, which has been rebuilt as a viewing platform with less-steep stairs than the original.
Distance: To summit of Mount Carrigain, about 5.0 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 3300 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
Maps:
USGS Mount Carrigain
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset or Crawford Notch-Sandwich Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map H-7
DeLorme NHA&G 44-H4 to G3 - Livermore
The trail is located SW of US Route 302 in the unincorporated abandoned town of Livermore, between Twin Mountain and Conway
Trailhead: Sawyer River Road about 2.1 miles from US Route 302, elevation about 1400 feet
44.0704°N, 71.3830°W (WGS84)
WMNF fee site
From I-93 exit 35 near Franconia Notch, follow US Route 3 about 11 miles N to the junction of US Route 302 in Twin Mountain, then turn R on US Route 302 and go E about 19 miles through Crawford Notch to the Sawyer River Road. (This is about 10 miles W of NH Route 16 at Glen.) Go up the Sawyer River Road 2.1 miles, the trail starts on the R just before the Whiteface Brook bridge and the parking lot is on the L across the bridge.
Far End: Summit Mt. Carrigain, elevation about 4700 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: WMNF
Special regulations: No fires or camping near trailhead
The Forest Service has proposed a relocation of the first part of this trail. Hikers should follow the new route when it opens.
From the parking lot, walk back on the road toward US Route 302 and the Signal Ridge trailhead is just across the bridge. The trail quickly climbs to and turns L on a woods road which is rocky and eroded. At .2 miles the trail crosses a small brook and then Whiteface Brook, continuing on sidehill above the brook and passing many small falls and deep pools which may be inviting on a hot day. The trail then passes over a minor divide to the watershed of Carrigain Brook, crossing the overgrown Carrigain Brook Road at 1.4 miles.
At 1.7 miles the Carrigain Notch Trail leaves R while the Signal Ridge Trail turns L and descends slightly to a crossing of Carrigain Brook shortly followed by a minor brook crossing at a swampy area. The trail now climbs slightly to another minor brook crossing, then runs parallel to the brook and recrosses it. After a steeper ascent, the trail makes L-R-L switchbacks. The next switchback R is about a mile long and ascends about 1000 feet. The birch glades on this traverse are growing in with evergreens which obstruct the trail, and at a couple places large trees have blown over exposing bedrock for the trail to cross. At the end of the long switchback at about 3.9 miles, the trail ascends by short switchbacks and sometimes straight uphill, finally coming out on open ledges on Signal Ridge. The high point at 4.5 miles offers views in all directions, although to the NW the summit of Mount Carrigain blocks more distant views.
The trail now descends slightly, then angles up to the L to the brackish covered well at the site of the fire lookout's cabin. Now the trail descends slightly to the L before angling back R up to a minor col between the twin summits of Carrigain. The trail reaches the base of the lookout tower at 5.0 miles, where the Desolation Trail descends L into the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
Sawyer River Road usually gated during snow and mud seasons. Parking area plowed just off US Route 302. (WMNF fee site) Experts have skied to the summit.
Map Notes: Carrigain Notch Trail junction shown in wrong place on USGS map, should be E of brook crossing.
Footway Signal Ridge Trail
Mt Carrigain from Signal Ridge
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