| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Carter, Middle Carter, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter Moriah Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail, Camp Dodge Cutoff, NH 16 |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 9, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room in the roadside lot off route 16. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Partial snow/ice bridge on lower brook crossing on Carter Dome Trail (two channels). Water low enough for many exposed rocks. The upper brook crossing on Carter Dome Trail has a solid snow/ice bridge.
Small brook crossing low on Imp Trail was an easy rock hop. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Many trees across Carter-Moriah Trail on south face of South Carter. Easy to get by (walk around or duck under). |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fine for dogs. Saw none today. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I hiked up to the south face of South Carter using microspikes as the surfaces were rock hard in the AM. The surfaces were rough/uneven on these trails that would make snowshoeing difficult. I switched to snowshoes near noon and remained in them until low on the Imp Trail when I encountered some bare rock, mud, and leaves. The surface was slick down low on the Imp Trail. The microspikes were only of limited benefit in the mushy snow surface.
The Cater-Moriah Trail was difficult to follow in places as there was no snowshoe track on the hard windblown snow surface in the open areas. Frequently, I walked amongst the top of evergreen trees. I sure I deviated from the trail on two occasions but managed to return to the boot churned snow. The sign at the junction of Carter-Moriah and North Carter trails was beneath the snow. The signage at Zeta Pass was just above the snow. Lots of evergreen boughs slapping one's face on Carter-Moriah and Noth Carter. I did appreciate the snow pack smoothing out the surfaces.
The forecasted warm-up later this week will most likely make for softer surfaces and cause water levels to rise and snow bridges to collapse.
The views were great due to the snowpack. Even a good view from the summit of South Carter. To the west the view is of Mt Washington, the eastern ravines, and the Northern Presidential Range. To the east the view is of the Wild River Valley and Evans Notch peaks.
Met Angie and Bob from So NH. Angie bagged 47 of 48 on Middle Carter. There were nine Quebec hikers enjoying the day. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-04-09 |
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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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