Mount Carrigain (4,700')

The NH48 Four Thousand-Footer Club

We learn to identify each other
in the wilderness of New Hampshire,
those of us on this quest,
along the ridge, on a narrow path,
we do double takes for telltale signs—
that golden sparkle under her arm
is a deflated balloon of the number 48
or there is an empty champagne bottle
where her water is usually stored
or at the top, while we take in the view,
faces red from sun and wind, our eyes catch
at a message on a wooden plank of the fire
tower, written not more than an hour before
by a finger dug into last night's frost—
it confirms our suspicion that while
for us, it’s just another peak, for her
it was the final, triumphant summit.

Summit of Mount Carrigain (sign credits Ami Garcia Kuper)

Hike level: Moderate

Location: Livermore, NH

Driving distance from Boston: About 3 hours

Cost: FREE to hike

Description:  We hiked Mount Carrigain via Signal Ridge Trail (off Sawyer River Road). The first 2 miles are relatively flat and easy, making this a moderate hike for the great, 360 degree view from the fire tower. The total mileage was 10.0 with 3,300 ft. elevation gain.