Copy/Repost Hike

On Saturday, October 18th, fourteen of us (Kevin, John, Charles, Mike, Rob, Mark, Doug, Peter, Fernando, Dan, Todd, Craig, Brian and myself) met up at the Signal Ridge Trailhead on Sawyer River Road at 8:30AM.  It was a bit chilly, but otherwise a gorgeous fall day in the White Mountains...deep blue skies with only the occasional passing cloud.  Everyone showed up pretty much on time, so after the usual introductions, we hit the trail a little before 9AM.  The initial portion of the trail was relatively flat with a couple of brook crossings (Carrigain Brook).  After the junction with Carrigain Notch Trail, the trail began to become more moderate in grade.  We had a couple of guys, who were relatively new to hiking, so we proceeded at a slow pace.  This worked out well as it was a very social group of guys.  Along the way there were a couple of very nice outlooks down into the valley and over to Vose Spur, but it didn't really open up until we reached the top of the ridge.  By that point part of the group had gone on to the summit, while the rest of us took our time.  One member of the group (Todd) did not want to cross the ridge, so he stayed there while we made the final push up to the summit.  we met up as a group at the peak at about 1PM under the viewing platform (which had served as a firetower at one point).  The views from the platform were awesome as the air was crystal clear.  It was fairly cold at the summit with ice covering the tower and the surrounding trees, but there was very little wind.  During lunch we popped open a couple of bottles of champagne to celebrate my final NH peak (thanks to Mike also for bringing a bottle).  A little before 2PM, we took a group photo, packed up and got ready for the return trip back down the Signal Ridge Trail.  On the way down we pretty much stayed together as a group, taking only a few breaks along the way.  We even had one adventurous soul (John), who decided to take the plunge into one of the pools in the Carrigain Brook (I can only imagine how cold it was!).  We made it back to the parking lot just past 5PM.  A few of the guys took off...the rest of us went over to Matty B's Mountainside Cafe for a nice dinner before heading back.  This couldn't have been a more perfect day to cap off my 4000-footers in NH...a beautiful day and a great group of guys.  Thanks to everyone who joined me!

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