BIGEarl
Well-known member
May 17, 2008: Carter Dome, Mount Hight, South Carter, Middle Carter
Trails: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, N. Carter Trail, Imp Trail, Bushwhack
Hikers:Trail Trotter (Sue), and me
I met Sue at the Exit 6 Park & Ride lot in Nashua at 5:30am, we quickly moved her things to the truck, and were off for Pinkham Notch, roughly a two and a half hour drive. When we left Nashua it was raining but the forecast indicated improved conditions (generally cloudy but only 20 percent POP) by 8:00am.
We arrived for a quick pit-stop at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center at 8:00am and headed for the trailhead a couple miles north on Route 16. The conditions were pretty good. High thin clouds, very light breeze, no rain, and a mild temperature. We wasted no time in getting ready and heading out. The plan was sure to produce a long day.
Trailhead – Carter Dome:
The initial 1.9 miles was on the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail. This trail is clear, mostly dry, and in great shape. There were no blowdowns and very little mud. We hiked at a moderate pace with stops along the way for pictures and to enjoy the scenery. The trail has a mild grade through this lower section which provides a good warm-up to the day. We arrived at the Carter Dome – Nineteen Mile Brook trails junction on book time and really happy with the hiking conditions. After a brief break we headed up the Carter Dome Trail to Zeta Pass. I have been on this trail a number of times but always in the winter. Now, I know there is a beautiful brook next to the trail for much of the distance and where it diverges there are some really nice cascades. At the bottom of the cascade area we found the first snow patches and Sue stopped to build a miniature snowman. On we hiked to Zeta pass. Along the way we could see the north-facing slope on the far side of the brook was loaded with snow. The higher we climbed the closer it came. Finally, roughly 50 – 100 feet in elevation below Zeta Pass the trail was generally snow and ice covered with a relatively solid monorail down the center. We continued to bare boot to Zeta Pass. Here, we both added light traction (Stabilicers) to help stay on the monorail. We continued on the Carter Dome Trail to the lower junction with the Carter-Moriah Trail. The snow cover was much deeper at this level and much softer. I decided to change to snowshoes, and Sue soon followed. We stayed with snowshoes all of the way to the Carter Dome summit. We arrived there to fine one other hiker enjoying a break. He was from Canada and waiting for two friends to join him. Sue and I stopped here for a quick lunch and to relax in the warm sun. The clouds had generally cleared out and we had terrific sunshine and blue-sky to enjoy. The three hikers from Canada were bare booting their hike and headed out ahead of us. Soon, we packed our things and set off for Mount Hight.
Carter Dome to Zeta Pass:
The trail to Mount Hight was snowshoe territory except for a very small bare section. We stayed with the snowshoes all of the way to the clear summit area. There we removed the snowshoes and packed them away. We decided the snow conditions and steepness of the trail made Stabilicers a better choice. Slowly we made our way off the bare summit and back into the spruce. This section of the Carter-Moriah trail leading to the lower junction with the Carter Dome Trail is quite steep for much of the distance. We carefully worked our way down to the trails junction and on to Zeta Pass. After a quick check of the trail heading toward South Carter we decided to bare boot the hike, at least for a while.
Zeta Pass to Middle Carter:
The trail heading north from Zeta Pass is constantly changing from snow-covered to bare with a little of everything in between. The monorail on the snow-covered sections is quite solid and we were able to bare boot the full distance. The south and southwest facing trail sections were generally clear while the sheltered sections including the north-facing sections were still well covered in snow and ice. Earlier we were making great time all the way to Zeta Pass on our initial arrival. The snow and ice has cost us a great deal of time and we’re now running later than planned. We generally stayed with the hike to Middle Carter with only necessary stops. The ledge sections north of Middle Carter provided some welcome bare and dry trail on which to hike.
Middle Carter to Route 16 and the Bushwhack:
The plan was to hike the North Carter Trail and Imp Trail to an elevation of approximately 1900 feet and bushwhack back to the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail. We made our way down the North Carter Trail, which is snow and ice covered for pretty much the full distance to the junction with the Imp Trail. More lost time. When we reached the junction with the Imp Trail I noticed the Sun had dropped below the Presidentials and we were losing daylight fast. I had run out of water at Middle Carter and considered hiking in to a stream to filter some additional water for the hike out but decided we should press on trying to save the bushwhack plans (which would save roughly 3 miles in distance including the roadwalk on Route 16). The Imp Trail hits Route 16 a couple miles north of the trailhead lot where the truck was parked. The bushwhack would eliminate the hike generally north to the trail junction with Route 16 and the hike south on Route 16 to the trailhead lot. By the time we reached the planned bushwhack start location it was too dark for a comfortable bushwhack of the distance involved. We instead set off for an alternate bushwhack that still made an early exit by way of Camp Dodge, which would place us on Route 16 a short distance north of the trailhead. I wanted to reach a location on the trail at approximately 1550 feet elevation. From here the bushwhack would be relatively short to Camp Dodge, assuming we used a correct bearing and were able to stay on it. I’ve heard there is an easy approach to Camp Dodge but knew nothing about it. The conditions were as dark as dark gets. The sky had clouded over leaving no reference such as a moon or stars to use in navigating the bushwhack. Consequently, it was necessary to keep one eye on the compass nearly all the time. At 1550 feet there is also a small stream. First things first, I reloaded with water and Sue also did a re-supply. Now, the small stream was generally headed west. Since my hearing is terrible (on a good day), I asked Sue to keep track of the stream because we wanted to use it to assist in keeping a bearing. We set off toward Camp Dodge. After a while and a number of small course adjustments, Sue commented she could hear water all around us. I concluded we were coming up on Cowboy Brook. I glanced to my right and there was a light at Camp Dodge – a couple hundred feet away. Well, that was easy. We stepped onto the drive and walked to Route 16 and then the trailhead lot.
What a day! Again, tough snow and ice conditions caused for a much longer day than planned. Before the hike Sue told me she expected a long day, and jerky. She got both.
Once again Sue, thanks. It was a great day in the mountains.
By the way – I ran out of water early as a result of a leak that developed in my reservoir. The inside of my pack is now clean. And, we took a little longer driving back to Nashua than we spent on the morning drive up because we stopped to visit with one of Moultonborough’s finest. He turned out to be a real nice guy that only wanted to talk.
I've posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarls pictures.
Straight to the slideshow.
Trails: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, N. Carter Trail, Imp Trail, Bushwhack
Hikers:Trail Trotter (Sue), and me
I met Sue at the Exit 6 Park & Ride lot in Nashua at 5:30am, we quickly moved her things to the truck, and were off for Pinkham Notch, roughly a two and a half hour drive. When we left Nashua it was raining but the forecast indicated improved conditions (generally cloudy but only 20 percent POP) by 8:00am.
We arrived for a quick pit-stop at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center at 8:00am and headed for the trailhead a couple miles north on Route 16. The conditions were pretty good. High thin clouds, very light breeze, no rain, and a mild temperature. We wasted no time in getting ready and heading out. The plan was sure to produce a long day.
Trailhead – Carter Dome:
The initial 1.9 miles was on the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail. This trail is clear, mostly dry, and in great shape. There were no blowdowns and very little mud. We hiked at a moderate pace with stops along the way for pictures and to enjoy the scenery. The trail has a mild grade through this lower section which provides a good warm-up to the day. We arrived at the Carter Dome – Nineteen Mile Brook trails junction on book time and really happy with the hiking conditions. After a brief break we headed up the Carter Dome Trail to Zeta Pass. I have been on this trail a number of times but always in the winter. Now, I know there is a beautiful brook next to the trail for much of the distance and where it diverges there are some really nice cascades. At the bottom of the cascade area we found the first snow patches and Sue stopped to build a miniature snowman. On we hiked to Zeta pass. Along the way we could see the north-facing slope on the far side of the brook was loaded with snow. The higher we climbed the closer it came. Finally, roughly 50 – 100 feet in elevation below Zeta Pass the trail was generally snow and ice covered with a relatively solid monorail down the center. We continued to bare boot to Zeta Pass. Here, we both added light traction (Stabilicers) to help stay on the monorail. We continued on the Carter Dome Trail to the lower junction with the Carter-Moriah Trail. The snow cover was much deeper at this level and much softer. I decided to change to snowshoes, and Sue soon followed. We stayed with snowshoes all of the way to the Carter Dome summit. We arrived there to fine one other hiker enjoying a break. He was from Canada and waiting for two friends to join him. Sue and I stopped here for a quick lunch and to relax in the warm sun. The clouds had generally cleared out and we had terrific sunshine and blue-sky to enjoy. The three hikers from Canada were bare booting their hike and headed out ahead of us. Soon, we packed our things and set off for Mount Hight.
Carter Dome to Zeta Pass:
The trail to Mount Hight was snowshoe territory except for a very small bare section. We stayed with the snowshoes all of the way to the clear summit area. There we removed the snowshoes and packed them away. We decided the snow conditions and steepness of the trail made Stabilicers a better choice. Slowly we made our way off the bare summit and back into the spruce. This section of the Carter-Moriah trail leading to the lower junction with the Carter Dome Trail is quite steep for much of the distance. We carefully worked our way down to the trails junction and on to Zeta Pass. After a quick check of the trail heading toward South Carter we decided to bare boot the hike, at least for a while.
Zeta Pass to Middle Carter:
The trail heading north from Zeta Pass is constantly changing from snow-covered to bare with a little of everything in between. The monorail on the snow-covered sections is quite solid and we were able to bare boot the full distance. The south and southwest facing trail sections were generally clear while the sheltered sections including the north-facing sections were still well covered in snow and ice. Earlier we were making great time all the way to Zeta Pass on our initial arrival. The snow and ice has cost us a great deal of time and we’re now running later than planned. We generally stayed with the hike to Middle Carter with only necessary stops. The ledge sections north of Middle Carter provided some welcome bare and dry trail on which to hike.
Middle Carter to Route 16 and the Bushwhack:
The plan was to hike the North Carter Trail and Imp Trail to an elevation of approximately 1900 feet and bushwhack back to the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail. We made our way down the North Carter Trail, which is snow and ice covered for pretty much the full distance to the junction with the Imp Trail. More lost time. When we reached the junction with the Imp Trail I noticed the Sun had dropped below the Presidentials and we were losing daylight fast. I had run out of water at Middle Carter and considered hiking in to a stream to filter some additional water for the hike out but decided we should press on trying to save the bushwhack plans (which would save roughly 3 miles in distance including the roadwalk on Route 16). The Imp Trail hits Route 16 a couple miles north of the trailhead lot where the truck was parked. The bushwhack would eliminate the hike generally north to the trail junction with Route 16 and the hike south on Route 16 to the trailhead lot. By the time we reached the planned bushwhack start location it was too dark for a comfortable bushwhack of the distance involved. We instead set off for an alternate bushwhack that still made an early exit by way of Camp Dodge, which would place us on Route 16 a short distance north of the trailhead. I wanted to reach a location on the trail at approximately 1550 feet elevation. From here the bushwhack would be relatively short to Camp Dodge, assuming we used a correct bearing and were able to stay on it. I’ve heard there is an easy approach to Camp Dodge but knew nothing about it. The conditions were as dark as dark gets. The sky had clouded over leaving no reference such as a moon or stars to use in navigating the bushwhack. Consequently, it was necessary to keep one eye on the compass nearly all the time. At 1550 feet there is also a small stream. First things first, I reloaded with water and Sue also did a re-supply. Now, the small stream was generally headed west. Since my hearing is terrible (on a good day), I asked Sue to keep track of the stream because we wanted to use it to assist in keeping a bearing. We set off toward Camp Dodge. After a while and a number of small course adjustments, Sue commented she could hear water all around us. I concluded we were coming up on Cowboy Brook. I glanced to my right and there was a light at Camp Dodge – a couple hundred feet away. Well, that was easy. We stepped onto the drive and walked to Route 16 and then the trailhead lot.
What a day! Again, tough snow and ice conditions caused for a much longer day than planned. Before the hike Sue told me she expected a long day, and jerky. She got both.
Once again Sue, thanks. It was a great day in the mountains.
By the way – I ran out of water early as a result of a leak that developed in my reservoir. The inside of my pack is now clean. And, we took a little longer driving back to Nashua than we spent on the morning drive up because we stopped to visit with one of Moultonborough’s finest. He turned out to be a real nice guy that only wanted to talk.
I've posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarls pictures.
Straight to the slideshow.
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