feldmrschl
New member
Date Hiked: Oct 16, 2006
Trails Hiked: 19 Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail
Total Distance: 10.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Conditions: Superb visibility, clear, cold
Special Required Equipment: Fleece layers, gloves
Trip Report:
For my first solo hike in over 16 years, I decided to hike up to Carter Dome and bag my 20th 4Ker. After coming up with a variety of hiking plans, the one I intended to follow was to hike up to Zeta Pass, bag South Carter, backtrack and hike up Hight, bag the Dome, continue on into Carter Notch and come back via 19 Mile Brook, completing the loop. However, after developing a nagging blister on my left heel on the way up to the Pass, I decided to follow my original, simpler route and take Carter Dome Trail to the Dome, backtrack along the ridge to Hight, descend via Carter-Moriah and backtrack my way out.
Even though the weather was cold, as expected, it was a gorgeous day to be out. The trails were in decent shape, though there were a few blowdowns along the way. The grades were moderate and very accessible. The only steep section was the Carter-Moriah Trail between Hight and its intersection with Carter Dome Trail, but this wasn't bad at all, though I'm glad I didn't climb it due to my aforementioned blister.
I began the hike at 6:35am with the rising sun. I had packed my headlamp for an earlier start to the hike, but misjudged the driving time to the trailhead. When I set off, there was enough twilight to hike by without the lamp.
19 Mile Brook Trail and the lower section of Carter Dome Trail are in the shadow of the eastern ridge, so I was in the cool shadows throughout most of the hike. I frequently wore my winter gloves and relied on my fleece layers to ward off the chill. Carrying lots of food and water helped as well.
Two minutes into my climb to Carter Dome from Zeta Pass, I found my first snow and ice crystals both on the greenery and the edges of the trail itself. The ice crystals on the trail edge were growing in tubes from the moss and stones and reminded me of bristles of a hairbrush. Very interesting upon closer examination. Further up the trail, I found more ice and some large icicles, but it was a minor hindrance to get around.
I reached the summit of Carter Dome at 11am, a roughly 4.5 hour ascent, a few minutes shy of book time, a result I'm happy with now that I'm not the speed hiker madman I was in my youth. As I said, visibility was superb. All the Presidentials were in the clear; black wisps from the Cog could clearly be seen peeking over the ridge. Peaks could also be clearly seen to the south and southwest through the treetops.
Backtracking over to Hight was enjoyable. Boot and dog prints were encased in the frozen mud in a couple of spots, frozen in time 'til the next spring.
The views from Mt. Hight were indescribable. While not a true 4Ker, this peak should not be ignored. The views are more expansive than the ones from Carter Dome, the Dome itself being the only impediment to a true 360 degree experience. On this day, I could clearly see for tens of miles deep into Maine if not further. Absolutely breathtaking.
The descent was quick and uneventful. I made it back to my car at 2pm, a 2.5 hour descent from Hight. By the time I arrived, I had blisters on both heels; I think I need new hiking socks. While the serenity of 19 Mile Brook was enjoyable at the start of the hike, it was merely lengthy at the end.
Overall, it was an excellent day out for many reasons. At 40, it was my first solo in over 16 years and, I'm glad to say, I still have it. In my youth, I used to hike every weekend. Now, I'm lucky if I can get three hikes in in a season. It was also a challenge to set my own pace and deal with the cold. I was able to push myself enough, hiking through the growing blisters on my heels and I had the right equipment to fend off the cold. Layers, layers, layers. I almost turned back on Zeta Pass b/c of the blister on my left foot, but I hiked through it and I'm glad I did. It was all worth it.
Trails Hiked: 19 Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail
Total Distance: 10.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Conditions: Superb visibility, clear, cold
Special Required Equipment: Fleece layers, gloves
Trip Report:
For my first solo hike in over 16 years, I decided to hike up to Carter Dome and bag my 20th 4Ker. After coming up with a variety of hiking plans, the one I intended to follow was to hike up to Zeta Pass, bag South Carter, backtrack and hike up Hight, bag the Dome, continue on into Carter Notch and come back via 19 Mile Brook, completing the loop. However, after developing a nagging blister on my left heel on the way up to the Pass, I decided to follow my original, simpler route and take Carter Dome Trail to the Dome, backtrack along the ridge to Hight, descend via Carter-Moriah and backtrack my way out.
Even though the weather was cold, as expected, it was a gorgeous day to be out. The trails were in decent shape, though there were a few blowdowns along the way. The grades were moderate and very accessible. The only steep section was the Carter-Moriah Trail between Hight and its intersection with Carter Dome Trail, but this wasn't bad at all, though I'm glad I didn't climb it due to my aforementioned blister.
I began the hike at 6:35am with the rising sun. I had packed my headlamp for an earlier start to the hike, but misjudged the driving time to the trailhead. When I set off, there was enough twilight to hike by without the lamp.
19 Mile Brook Trail and the lower section of Carter Dome Trail are in the shadow of the eastern ridge, so I was in the cool shadows throughout most of the hike. I frequently wore my winter gloves and relied on my fleece layers to ward off the chill. Carrying lots of food and water helped as well.
Two minutes into my climb to Carter Dome from Zeta Pass, I found my first snow and ice crystals both on the greenery and the edges of the trail itself. The ice crystals on the trail edge were growing in tubes from the moss and stones and reminded me of bristles of a hairbrush. Very interesting upon closer examination. Further up the trail, I found more ice and some large icicles, but it was a minor hindrance to get around.
I reached the summit of Carter Dome at 11am, a roughly 4.5 hour ascent, a few minutes shy of book time, a result I'm happy with now that I'm not the speed hiker madman I was in my youth. As I said, visibility was superb. All the Presidentials were in the clear; black wisps from the Cog could clearly be seen peeking over the ridge. Peaks could also be clearly seen to the south and southwest through the treetops.
Backtracking over to Hight was enjoyable. Boot and dog prints were encased in the frozen mud in a couple of spots, frozen in time 'til the next spring.
The views from Mt. Hight were indescribable. While not a true 4Ker, this peak should not be ignored. The views are more expansive than the ones from Carter Dome, the Dome itself being the only impediment to a true 360 degree experience. On this day, I could clearly see for tens of miles deep into Maine if not further. Absolutely breathtaking.
The descent was quick and uneventful. I made it back to my car at 2pm, a 2.5 hour descent from Hight. By the time I arrived, I had blisters on both heels; I think I need new hiking socks. While the serenity of 19 Mile Brook was enjoyable at the start of the hike, it was merely lengthy at the end.
Overall, it was an excellent day out for many reasons. At 40, it was my first solo in over 16 years and, I'm glad to say, I still have it. In my youth, I used to hike every weekend. Now, I'm lucky if I can get three hikes in in a season. It was also a challenge to set my own pace and deal with the cold. I was able to push myself enough, hiking through the growing blisters on my heels and I had the right equipment to fend off the cold. Layers, layers, layers. I almost turned back on Zeta Pass b/c of the blister on my left foot, but I hiked through it and I'm glad I did. It was all worth it.
