| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Carter Dome, Mt. Hight, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, November 1, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
When I got there only an AMC vehicle was parked, and on my return the USFS worker now volunteers's vehicle was there too. There were very few vehicles on most the roads and few if any at the trailheads we passed. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All doable today, if a bit tricky. An AMC person said they weren't doable yesterday. The bridge over the major crossing on 19 Mile Brk is a bridge to nowhere. But people have been going upstream to cross and it worked with wet boots. The first crossing on Carter Dome is a double one, and it too was doable with wet boots slightly upsteam for both. Those who don't like crossing over rushing water may not like either. The third is the easiest, but wet boots covers it. Poles made things more secure but they weren't necessary. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There were two 3"ish blowdowns across Carter Moriah and I cut them out. There was one on 19 Mile that was bigger and bouncier, so I elected to cut and trim its tip so its easy to slip by and still be on the trail, but someone with a bigger saw or more time should take it out. It was odd seeing a dry streambed along the trail near the trailhead as 19 Mile Brook has cut into the opposite bank and jumped over to it with an island of trees between it and old bed. In one other place 19 Mile Brook may have jumped the bank long enough to add a lot to Irene's damage, but for the most part trail erosion was due to side drainages or just water in the trail. The new major work from this summer survived with a a bit of erosion. Mostly it looked like a big rainstorm that continued the erosion of Irene. This is especially true of Carter Dome & Carter Moriah as most of the waterbars are failing, or filled or in several places they are stranded with the trail draining them. I kicked a fair number that still worked to reduce or get rid of blocks but that's minor. A summer USFS worker on her own came up to see how her group's work had survived, and she was cleaning out waterbars with her bare hands. Now she deserves kudos. These two trails till have remants of theor nice bootpaths, but so much is erodied and they are on the move. Carter Moriah over to Hight has a big puddle that one can get around, some other mude, and it could use a brushing in addition to the already mentioned water bar work. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Pepper had a few anxious moments at the stream crossings on the way up, as it has been awhile since he needed to jump roaring water from and to water covered rocks. But on the return they were pretty easy for him. Plenty of water of course, but no rodents or grouse to chase, and the brooks were too fast to sip n dip. There are no rocks/ledge that can be tough on newbie dogs pads. Slopes are pretty easy too. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
After seeing Per's report for Field & Willey, I was really curious to see what damage I'd find on Carter Dome. Seeing the Brook jump and erosioin near the parking area perked things up, but after that it didn't seem like a hurricane had hit, just a prolonged rainstorm or spring runoff event. Irene is the one that did the major damage, and these other events are basically just adding to it; the trails are so exposed with so many waterbars not working. Even so it's great to be on the trails with the little mutt, and I'm sure after substituting big for little he would say the same. |
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 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
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 | E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-11-01 |
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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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