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About


South Carter Mountain, Middle Carter Mountain
Green's Grant, NH, Bean's Purchase, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
The first water crossing on Carter Dome Trail on the way to South Carter
The first water crossing on Carter Dome Trail on the way to South Carter

Route: Nineteen Mile Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, (South Carter Mountain), Carter-Moriah Trail, (Middle Carter Mountain), Carter-Moriah Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail, unknown trail, Camp Dodge road, Route 16

After rain for 18 of the first 24 days in June, I've grown accustomed to hiking in the rain. With the weather forecast showing perhaps some clearing later in the day and only a chance of rain in the afternoon, I decided to give the Carters a go.

Of course, it started to downpour as I neared the parking area. Ascending to South Carter, Nineteen Mile Brook was roaring. The water crossings on the Carter Dome were barely doable.

After passing South Carter, I headed across to Middle Carter on very wet trails - standing water, mud, etc. Reaching Middle Carter (no views here or at South Carter), I continued to the North Carter Trail junction, at which I stopped and emptied my boots and rung out my socks.

The North Carter Trail and southern branch of the Imp Trail were both basically running brooks. At one point, I ran into a slight delay on the Imp Trail - a bear cup jumped out of the grass about ten feet in front of me and took off across the trail. After debating whether or not to bushwhack around the area, I decided to make some noise and just move forward - I was ready to get out of the rain, bear attack or not.

The logging road to Camp Dodge was a welcome sight - as was the parking lot after the short Route 16 roadwalk. Of course, reaching the parking lot, some blue sky started to pop up overhead, after a good 5 hours of rain.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: South Carter Mountain
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Minimal (due to weather)
Crowds: Minimal
Destination: Middle Carter Mountain
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Minimal (due to weather)
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hike Commenced: 2:50 PM
Parking Elevation: 1,485'
Destination: South Carter Mountain
Ascent Commenced: 2:50 PM
Summit Reached: 4:58 PM
Time Elapsed: 02:08
Trailhead Elevation: 1,485'
Summit Elevation: 4,430'
Vertical Gain: 3,015'
Destination: Middle Carter Mountain
Ascent Commenced: 4:59 PM
Summit Reached: 5:38 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:39
Trailhead Elevation: 4,430'
Summit Elevation: 4,610'
Vertical Gain: 595'
Hike Ended: 8:05 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 05:15
Hike Vertical Gain: 3,835'


The Nineteen Mile Brook Trail trailhead on Route 16
The Nineteen Mile Brook Trail trailhead on Route 16

Wet flowers on the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail
Wet flowers on the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail

A lack of a view in the clouds from South Carter - Click to enlarge
A lack of a view in the clouds from South Carter

The Carter-Moriah Trail between South and Middle Carter
The Carter-Moriah Trail between South and Middle Carter

Rhodora Rhododendron near Middle Carter
Rhodora Rhododendron near Middle Carter

Looking at clouds from near the summit of Middle Carter - Click to enlarge
Looking at clouds from near the summit of Middle Carter

Topographic map of South Carter Mountain, Middle Carter Mountain - Click to enlarge


Directions to trailhead: Take Route 16 North past the Mt. Washington Auto Road entrance. Shortly thereafter, the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail WMNF fee parking area and trailhead are on the right side of the road, immediately after the brook.

Back to South Carter Mountain Profile
Back to Middle Carter Mountain Profile




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