Desolation Trail

To Mount Carrigain · New Hampshire

USFS trail #32165

Desolation Trail is a trail in the Pemigewasset Wilderness and the Willey Range, climbing about 2,450 ft from the Carrigain Notch Trail junction to Mount Carrigain.

Map length

1.7 mi

Climb from the low end

2,437 ft

Book time up / down (from map miles)

2 h 4 min / 51 min

High point

4,653 ft

Above treeline

None

Steepest ¼ mile

2,797 ft/mi

Stream crossings

1 (1 ford)

Low point

2,213 ft

Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer. The mapped trail stops just short of the summit of Mount Carrigain; these figures end there.

Desolation Trail

Elevation profile Steep (25%+)
2,000'3,500'5,000'Mount Carrigain, mile 1.690 mi1.7 mi

Mile by mile (map miles)

From Carrigain Notch Trail junction (the lower end) to Mount Carrigain.

  1. 0.0Carrigain Notch Trail junction
  2. 0.0Fords a stream
  3. 1.7Mount Carrigain

Summit conditions

Mount CarrigainmoderateOct 9, 8:20 PM
Today's conditions report

1 incident recorded on this trail: Mount Carrigain safety record

Connecting trails

Carrigain Notch Trail

What to bring

From the summit forecast, Sat to Mon

Paid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.

  • 67 mph

    Summit gusts

    Plan a below-treeline hike

    Daytime gusts near 67 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.

  • 29°F

    Summit low

    Microspikes

    Summit lows near 29°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.

    Kahtoola Microspikes at Backcountry.com ($89.95)

  • 11h 13m

    Daylight

    Headlamp

    Sunset around 6:08 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.

    Headlamps at Backcountry.com

The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear

Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.