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- Mount Carrigain
4,700 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire
Mount Carrigain
Mount Carrigain is a 4,700 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the Via Sawyer River Road & Signal Ridge Trail: 14 mi, 3,895 ft of gain, Class 2.
Mount Carrigain at a glance
- Elevation4,700 ft1,432 m
- RouteVia Sawyer River Road & Signal Ridge TrailClass 2
- Distance14 mi3,895 ft gain
- Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJun – Oct
- RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire
Climbing the Via Sawyer River Road & Signal Ridge Trail
From Sawyer River Road off Route 302, the Signal Ridge Trail climbs steadily to a scenic open ridge, then a short final pitch to the summit and its restored observation tower. Carrigain sits deep in the Whites and the tower gives one of the finest 360-degree panoramas in New Hampshire. Since a December 2023 washout, Sawyer River Road is closed to vehicles indefinitely - park at the Route 302 lot and walk about 2 miles of road each way to the Signal Ridge trailhead (already included in this route's distance). Signal Ridge is exposed to wind near the top. Start early for the long day, carry water and layers, and enjoy the wilderness views.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (20–30 L)
Water
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Whistle
Offline Maps- Compass
Headlamp
Power Bank
Hiking Boots
Trekking Poles
Base Layer
Midlayer
Hardshell Jacket
Buff
Sun Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
What to watch for
- Stream crossing
- Slippery terrain
- Insects
Quests with Mount Carrigain
New England 4,000ers
NH 48Peaks near Mount Carrigain
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Carrigain?
Mount Carrigain is 4,700 feet (1,432 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.
How does Mount Carrigain rank among the New England 4,000ers?
At 4,700 feet, Mount Carrigain is the 15th highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.
How hard is it to hike Mount Carrigain?
The Via Sawyer River Road & Signal Ridge Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 14 miles with 3,895 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Mount Carrigain?
Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Via Sawyer River Road & Signal Ridge Trail, covering 14 miles with 3,895 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Can a beginner hike Mount Carrigain?
The Via Sawyer River Road & Signal Ridge Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 14 miles with 3,895 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
When is the best time to hike Mount Carrigain?
The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
What is the trailhead elevation for Mount Carrigain?
The Via Sawyer River Road & Signal Ridge Trail starts at about 900 feet, roughly 3,800 feet below the summit.
Climb Mount Carrigain with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list