Carr Mtn. 6/12

[Double Bow]

Well, only one person has viewed my 6/10 trip report for Sandwich Dome and Jennings Peak so I'm sure no one is going to look at this one. It sort of makes me wonder why I post my non-4K trips...

Maybe I just like to hear myself type.

Anyway, this was a trip I was coleading and it was a lot of fun. We went at an easy pace since there were numerous folks who really hadn't done much with a 2000' ft climb. We started on the Three Ponds trail, which is really muddy and eroded in sections and opted to bypass the crossing of Sucker Brook on the way up by continuing to the bridge and then going back to the Carr Mtn trail via the old logging road. The road was really wet and the grass was pretty tall. The wetness conbined with the heat and humidity really made for a field day for the bugs.

Carr Mtn trail is definately in nedd of work. I've been considering adopting it. It is quite wet and needs serious brush work and blazing and we approached from the east where the trail is in better shape!

Once we reached the summit we found the pointless cannister (see other thread) and hung out for awhile. I climb up on the first knob to get a better view of the shadow of ridge that could be seen.

We went back down the way we came except this time, we decided to try the crossing. Happily, everyone made it across safe and dry. It made for an exciting conclusion to a very enjoyable hike.

 

[SAR-EMT40]

Don't trust the viewer number right now.

Possible problem

Keith

 

[grouseking]

Carr Mtn trail is definately in nedd of work. I've been considering adopting it. It is quite wet and needs serious brush work and blazing and we approached from the east where the trail is in better shape!

I have a question. Is the trail difficult to follow? Would I have a difficult time following it if I went up by myself? Stories of bad trail maintanence have kept me away from hiking this even though I went to Plymouth State for 3 years and was literally 10 minutes away. So I hiked Stinson instead...


Also, when it comes to views, I hear its kind of overgrown. But I'm not picky. If there is nice forest with a somewhat pretty view I'm set. Would this fit the bill? Solitude needed as well

 

[Double Bow]

If you know what a trail looks like, it's not too dificult to follow. The trail has been used enough that it's pretty well beaten. The rut is well defined. Basically, you just need to pay a little bit of attention in some areas. As far as solitude, this is it!

Pretty much only locals climb it so it's rare to see someone on the summit. The summit has limited views. Stinson certainly has the better ones. but, if you climb up the first knob or stand on the highest part of the boulder the tower saw on you can see some stuff though. The woods are very nice and fairly open. There is also plenty of signs of bear activity. It's only 6.8mi RT and a constant grade that's not too steep.

I think it's a hidden gem worth visiting.

 

[dms]

Double Bow I agree that this is a hidden gem, in 4 trips I have never seen another person on the trail or peak. You can also follow the older portion of the Carr Mountain Trail up to the summit from the west. That way you can also check out Waternomee Falls, which is a nice spot. The Trail begins on a dirt road off of Rte. 25 at the NH Fish Hatchery, it's not too difficult to follow.

 

[dr_wu002]

Keep Posting!

Well, only one person has viewed my 6/10 trip report for Sandwich Dome and Jennings Peak so I'm sure no one is going to look at this one. It sort of makes me wonder why I post my non-4K trips...

No, seriously... these peaks get a lot less travel so whenever there's a trip report I (and a lot of other people) take notice. Carr has been in my sights for a while so I was glad to see the TR.

-Dr. Wu

 

[grouseking]

Excellent

Well geez, now I feel like an idiot for not summiting Carr Mtn on multiple occasions. I love 4,000 footers, but there is nothing quite like the solitude of a mountain that isn't well known. Every time I drive by Carr or view it from a distance I am amazed by its size (in area). Its kind of like Owls Head in a way. There are all these mountains that sharply rise up and have pointy summits. Then, almost in the middle of nowhere, there is Owls Head with what seems to be a never-ending ridge, if that makes any sense. I am just amazed by the area that Carr Mtn or Owls Head takes up compared to nearby mountains like Lincoln, which may be taller, but have to be formed/eroded differently and probably take up less area. Anyways, I like that because anything can live on these mountains and they will probably never see a human being. Heck, Bigfoot could live on Carr and never see someone!

After saying that, I think I'll head for Carr soon, and bring a camera for the forests, the brooks, the unique views, and maybe Sasquatch!!

Thanks for the quick response and advice!

 

[Double Bow]

Well! Thanks Doc et all for letting me know that there is actually interest in these reports. I hadn't posted some of them because I figured that folks only wanted to hear about the big peaks (though Carr IS just a little shy of making the NH 100 Highest )I'll be sure to keep 'em coming.

One word of caution if you do want to try the western approach, it is cool but due to the fact that not all of the land is protected, it has been subject to cutting. Extra care needs to be taken using that approach but, it's not too bad (or at least it wasn't when I did it awhile ago). The falls are worth checking out.

I find it very interesting that with all the peaks between routes 25, 118, and 93 (they form a circle) only three have trails to the summit. That's what makes this area so nice! People mostly go to Stinson and some may scramble up Rattlesnake but, I'll be happy bushwacking up Eagle Cliff!

 

[Dalraida]

Carr from the west

Since I look out my windows directly to Carr I thought I might chime in here too. I took the trail from the west last fall. It is very easy to follow, and open, but not blazed. There is only one sign and that is an arrow pointing right where the old logging road goes straight on to Waternomee Falls. The only other sign is at the fish hatchery on Rte 25. Parking is questionable because it is located at an old summer house at the end of the road on a turn around a big apple tree. Once you park, head directly across the big field towards Carr and you will eventually see where the old logging road/trail heads into the woods. This is a very nice hike on a trail like they were 50 years ago. No people

 

[Davehiker]

Carr Mt. trip

I climbed Carr Mt. on 7/12/05 from the Stinson Lake end, and came down the western side to the Fish Hatchery. The entire trail has seen some maintenance, with all blowdowns removed, and water bars cleaned out.

The crossing at Sucker Brook was fine, no problem. The lower part of the east side seems to maintained for snow machines. It's wide, but small brush encroaches on the trail. Partway up the snowmobile trail turns off to the left on a newly cut trail, while the hiking trail turns away to the right. After that the trail becomes a little more rugged. Further up the trail has been brushed out very nicely. Up here there's more water, with muddy sections and erosion. The summit views are growing in, with the best views to the north and east.

Coming down the west side, the trail seems much less used. Near the top, it passes through an area with a lot of dead and fallen spruce. Here there's a good view straight down to Warren. Here also, the little spruces are growing into the trail and need to be brushed out. I saw an EMS Nalgene water-bottle that someone left in the brook here! Further down, the trail joins logging roads. Here it is straight and easy to follow, and further down has been brushed out very well. (It looks like a weed-whacker came through!) As Dalraida said, there's a sign at the only turn to mark it. Some logging has gone on near the bottom, but wasn't intrusive to me. At the bottom, you cross a field and cut through the driveway for a house. A parking area that is clearly marked is just out of sight of the house. The trailhead sign is located a little further at the corner of the dirt road, near the Fish Hatchery.

I had a great time, and realy enjoyed it. I took about 4 hours, including about a half-hour at the summit.

 

[bigmoose]

I agree that the West trail is better than the east...no matter what the guidebook says. The only problem you may encounter after you park by the little camp is traversing the weedy field to get to the trail. If you go on a dewy morning or after rain, your legs will get soaked before you start.

 

[Double Bow]

Glad to hear that you had a good trip and that conditions have improved. I did some trail work there but not as much as it sounds like you found had been done. This is definately a great hike if you are looking for isolation. I have never seen another person that I didn't come in with on the Carr Mtn trail. Truly a gem of a hike!