Typical winter ascent route of the Carters

[Barkingcat]

Since I will likely be hiking this with you, I vote for #3 including Hight! I would even skip Middle Carter to do Hight.

I can tell you that on a clear day with limited wind, I'd skip Middle Carter to get the views from Hight. In a hearbeat.

Disclaimer: I've not hiked ANY of these trails EXCEPT in winter.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

If your goal is peak bagging, then go left first out of Zeta Pass. If, while standing on Carter Dome (peak #3 (well, 4, but SC only counts once)) you have not had enough views, and on the way down you notice that CMT to Hight is broken out, and you have daylight and energy, then by all means continue on to Hight. By the way, you can slide back down to Zeta Pass with good snow in just a few minutes, making it even cheaper than it already is.

If you want a hike with views, and have no bagging goals, it's hard to argue with Hight.

Aren't you glad you asked?

Tim