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Jackson, NH, Bean's Purchase, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up Rainbow Trail
Having always ascended Carter Dome via some combination of trails from Nineteen Mile Brook, I was eager to try something new. Having seen the neat terrain of the Rainbow Trail from afar, it looked like an interesting choice.
After parking at the small roadside 'parking area,' we soon set foot on the Bog Brook Trail. The first section of this trail was basically an old logging road of some sort - a bit muddy and, other than the difficult water crossings, not too memorable.
After passing the Wildcat River Trail junction, the Bog Brook Trail became a bit more interesting. Still a bit muddy and very gradual, it started to pass through some nice hardwood glades. Reaching the Rainbow Trail junction, we passed through a marsh and were soon climbing.
The first part of the climb was through a very nice birch glade - open and filled with greenery. Eventually, the trail climbed into softwood before reaching the subpeak of Carter Dome. At this subpeak, the views were nearly 360 degrees - this would certainly be a popular peak if it had a slightly deeper col (thus putting it on the official 4,000 footer list).
There was a brief moment of confusion on the peak, though, as the trail seemed to lead into an open area without any exit point. Backtracking to the last known trail marking, we realized the blazed rock had been turned. Moving the rock back to its proper orientation, we continued on the trail, dropping into the col and then ascending Carter Dome proper. Never becoming overly steep, it was a nice way to the peak.
Though the sky was clouding over, the views from the near-summit vista were still quite strong. After having some lunch, our next stop was Wildcat A. Other than dealing with thick bug clouds near the ponds in Carter Notch, it was a fairly eventless descent and ascent. As was the case with Carter Dome, the views from the Wildcat A vista were strong under cloudy skies.
After fighting through the bugs again in the notch, we stopped at the Carter Notch Hut for another break. After having some lemonade and baked goods, we set foot on the Wildcat River Trail. Though perhaps not as neat as the Rainbow Trail, it was still new to me and thus a bit interesting. The tricky brook crossings and rotten bogwalks, however, were not much fun. Reaching Forest Road 233, we decided to take it back to Carter Notch Road, rather than deal with the Wildcat River crossing. The skeeters were out at this point, thus making the bland roadwalk even less enjoyable. Nonetheless, it was a refreshingly unique way to hike Carter Dome and Wildcat A.
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The Bog Brook Trail trailhead on Carter Notch Road
The Rainbow Trail at the subpeak on the way to Carter Dome
Looking at the Northern Presidentials from the Carter Dome viewpoint
The Wildcat Ridge Trail
Looking at South Baldface, the Doubleheads, and Kearsarge North Mountain from near the summit of Wildcat A
Back to Carter Dome Profile
Back to Wildcat A Profile
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