| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Middle Carter, South Carter, Carter Dome, NH |
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 | Trails: |
NH 16, Camp Dodge Cutoff, Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Carter Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 6, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at 19Mile Brook TH; lot pretty full by 7:30, not plowed but getting packed down by cars and ok to get in and out. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues; crossed on snow covered rocks mostly, traction on. Some partially bridge but check the ice before stepping. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
there was one step over just below the North Carter / Imp junction and one duck under above. There are a couple of leaner / duck unders heading up to Carter Dome, and at least one step / climb overs between the water crossings on the lower part of the Carter dome trail. All are easily negotiated right now, but may become an issue with additional snow. There may have been more, but that's what I remember. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We did the loop clockwise going up from Camp Dodge on Imp / North Carter trail first, over Middle and South Carter to Zeta Pass and then an out and back to Carter Dome from Zeta Pass. We broke trail through Camp Dodge up Imp / North Carter to the C-M junction. In spots there looked like some old boot /snowshoe traffic here and there, but it was either covered by new snow or drifted in. We barebooted up to the Imp/North Carter junction as it was still very bony down low with lots of rocks and roots, and open water/thin ice through the wet section. Snowshoes went on above the Imp/North Carter junction and stayed on for the rest of the trip until back to the CD/19 Mile junction at the end of the day. Still some rocks poking through on the North Carter trail, but snow was definitely softer and deeper here with some drifting and snowshoes gave the best traction. We met up with another hiker at the North Carter/C-M trail junction, and he set off ahead of us making first tracks along the ridge. We came behind packing it down. Lots of loose snow with some rocks and other obstacles hiding below in places where the snow had been blown off. Ledgy areas were difficult with ice on the rocks under the snow. Somewhere between Middle and South Carter we met up with a group of four,and then another group of two just below South Carter that were all going in the opposite direction from us and all with snowshoes so the loop will have seen some more traffic to pack things down a bit more. Snowshoes definitely the footwear of choice though as the snow remains very loose and unconsolidated. The section of trail from Zeta Pass up to Carter Dome for the out and back was a snowshoe dream with great snow coverage and only an occasional rock - fun and fast. From Zeta Pass heading down to the 19 Mile trail junction, it is well packed...a bit tedious in places with all the rocks and roots, but snowshoes stayed on. Snowshoes came off at the CD/ 19Mile trail junction, spikes on for the last 1.9 out to the TH. Trail is well packed here with boot traffic, and you could bareboot or spike it depending on your preference. Heading down on tired legs after a long day, spikes were my choice. |
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 | Name: |
Dexter |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-12-07 |
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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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