| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Vose Spur, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Signal Ridge Trail, Carrigain Notch Trail, herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, November 15, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Sawyer river road was open and in good shape. At 8:30 AM there were only three vehicles in the lot other than mine. At 3:45 PM those three were gone and just two other ones had arrived. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Only one of note and it was rock-hoppable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A duck under and a stepover on Signal ridge trail that have been there a while and aren't a problem. Lots of blowdowns on the herd path, but it's not a trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I don't hike with a dog, so I may be a poor judge. However, I think it would take an athletic and sure-footed canine to handle a few of the steep spots higher up that were slippery due to snow. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Someone's dog poop bag carted out. I lost my personal ziploc trash bag which will probably stay on the mountain for hundreds of years. :( |
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 | Comments: |
Unfortunately, due to precipitation this evening, some of the trip report information is already obsolete.
Didn't see another soul all day. Signal ridge and Carrigain notch trails were fairly dry. Mud was still present in the usual spots, but it was avoidable.
Tiny cairn marking the entrance to the herd path. Despite leaf fall the herd path was easy to follow in the deciduous forest section. When in doubt, look for the dry drainage. Once you hit the pine trees the herd path narrows and was harder to follow at times due to light snow cover and especially blowdowns. Still, it was possible to regain the path quickly after detours.
When you pop out onto the Talus field there is a cairn. However, I couldn't discern any other cairns from there initially. After I had gone up and to the right for about 40 feet I spotted a cairn marking the exit of talus field and moved a bit back to the left to go up to it. On the way back down, I realized someone more observant could have seen the cairn earlier.
The exposed nature of the talus field meant it was mostly dry. Other areas at elevation were a bit slick from a light covering of snow or frost, but no traction was needed thanks to the ample presence of hand holds.
Near the summit, blowdowns, new and old, were plentiful. There were also several leaners and swayers.There's a large summit canister and sign.
A previous report mentioned ribbons somebody had put up as blazes. I believe only three are left, all near the peak.
Following the herd path back down was initially harder than when ascending, despite having the benefit of occasionally seeing my own footsteps in the snow. I was pretty sure I had veered North of the herd path when I came to an opening to the Talus field and a cairn. However, it was different than the cairns I had seen on the way up. So, there are different herd paths. The Southernmost cairn at the top of the field is the better one to aim for. It's closer to the bottom talus field entrance and leads to an easier herd path. |
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 | Name: |
Al S |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-11-15 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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