| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Carter, Middle Carter, North Carter, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Moriah Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 9, 2017 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No problems parking at 19 mile brook lot |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Surprisingly tame. Only one worth mentioning on the Imp trail that was easily navigable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some scattered recent blowdowns that could usually be stepped over or under. Because of the ~4 feet of snow on the trail, there was a ton of brush lining the trail most of the way. Don't neglect that trusty pole saw! Think of the tall guys and snowpack! :) |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
Only snowfleas |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Lost my temper several times. Please write if found. |
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 | Comments: |
Afternoon slush and massive melting made for a difficult descent after 12pm. Be wary of heavy frozen ice chunks clinging to coniferous trees that hang precariously over the trail; many times I heard loud crashes nearby from a chunk coming loose and smashing on the ground below. Be prepared to get soaked! It was really warm today so I didn't mind as much, but because the trees are all hanging in the trail it is impossible not to brush past them and pick up all the loose condensation and meltoff. The winds in the exposed areas between South and Middle Carter have drifted the snow enough to cover most of the established tracks, but you can still make out some lines if you look really carefully.
The only bad part of the hike was totally missing the turn to descend on the North Carter Trail after bagging Middle Carter. Coming from Middle Carter, it is basically impossible to see the sign because it is obscured by a low hanging tree and buried in a mound of snow. I overshot and ended up following a previous set of tracks to North Carter where I lost the trail and turned around for fear of getting terribly lost. Coming back from North Carter, the sign is still a little hidden on the left but much, much more visible. If you find yourself with a clear and just-cold-enough day, you will have an awesome hike, especially if you get out early before it gets too mushy. PS Snowshoes are a must unless you want to posthole all the way up and down; there is a very narrow patch of packed snow a little wider than a foot but you will posthole down 3 or 4 feet if your step is slightly off when barebooting. |
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 | Name: |
Old Man Turtle Lips |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-04-09 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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