Mount Carrigain Backpacking

 

Mount Carrigain is 4700 feet mountain in New Hampshire. We went climbed there with overnight backpacking. This is 13.5 miles total, 3900 feet elevation gain. We did as a loop. First we climbed via Carrigain Notch Trail and the Desolation Trail. Desolation trail is very rocky and steep. It was like a rock climbing. In general, trails in New England is rocky and steep, so it is tougher than Californian trails, if elevation gain and distance is the same. For example, there is not a single switch back in New England.

It is true. When you need to go to point A to point B with 1000 feet elevation gain, a trail go up to point B with switchback in California, it is one straight way up to point B in New England. Besides, New England terrain is very rocky. The Desolation trail is steepness is 70%. It is the same slope as the steep part of Mt.Shasta!

Once there was one section a sort of switch back somewhere. The hikers there said, "Wow Is it a switchback?"

The other hiker said, "No, it was just winding portion and go straight up. No switchback in New England." 

I almost laughed about the statement. 

Anyway. Although it was super steep, I saw many interesting mushrooms and plants. Most mushrooms are very colorful, so they must be toxic. Some mushrooms are poka dots with red and white. They reminded me of mushrooms in Nintendo Super Mario. 

Mountains in White Mountains in New Hampshire are moist. So there are many mushrooms, ferns, moss, and trees. It is sort of similar to Japanese mountains.

We saw sunset at the mountain top. The sun has set over the undulating mountains.  It was pretty. I like staring at sun setting because every moment is a different view and all the moments are beautiful. It doesn't bore me. 

 

On the way back was via Signal Ridge trail, which is much less steeper. I saw cute camouflage frog along the trail. Also a cute squirrel who was so focused on eating nuts.

It is always nice to have weekend in the wilderness.