| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Middle Carter, South Carter, Hight, Carter Dome, Wildcat through E, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Appalachian Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, bushwhack back to Lost Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 17, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All but Ellis River crossable. Ellis River was borderline but reaching at end of hike, opted to head down river. Bridge is available to Pinkham (despite Appalachian signs saying otherwise). |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Sign during descent down Wildcat Ridge Trail at 44.24664N 71.24813W. The crack descent there looks like many I've seen on trail until you get to about 10ft from the platform and hopefully have the skills to descend free solo.
Based on the number of belongings littering the drop into the woods after the platform- I assume this is commonly mistaken as the route. From above it looks like a planned crack trail step down with rocks jammed intentionally to facilitate descent. Although once down, it looked like an alternative option to go around was there but not obvious from above.
Maintenance- add signs if not supposed to use the crack descent or replace rock steps that maybe were dislodged during winter to prevent an unexpected free solo descent for the last 10 ft. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Other than that final section of Wildcat Ridge Trail to 16- I wouldn't hesitate to bring my dogs along. |
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 | Bugs: |
Black flies & deer flies but they were shockingly not being their typical stalker, pestering selves. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a bright pink "BP" glasses case under a blowdown between Mt Hight and descent to Carter Notch. Left it with Carter Notch Hut caretaker who said they'd get it to AMC lost & found. |
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 | Comments: |
Short version: SEND IT!
Night & day from my experience in this range last Friday. Some running water on trails primarily above 2800' but all 1-2" at most. Plenty of washout debris on trails from the waterfall Friday- sticks, leaf piles, logs, etc. but nothing hazardous. Snow hanging on primarily from ascent to Hight through Carter Dome. Some ice but all manageable without the need to pull out micros.
Gorgeous day and was able to take my time having done Moriah already off my originally planned day route. Hight is a treat!!! |
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 | Name: |
AlpineTrailblazer |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-05-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfELzNER0s11AD0mAECAnLv_QJ3gGaBaxXj3I0/?igsh=enkyOGM0M3c4N3Fj |
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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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