The route begins on the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, travelling along the north bank of Nineteen Mile Brook. Before going a mile the trail crosses the brook and heads up stone steps, then crosses a bridge over a large tributary of the brook. The trail soon becomes rougher, until reaching the junction with the Carter Dome Trail.
From this junction, the Carter Dome Trail ascends moderately and steadily along a small tributary, crossing it a number of times, and passing by a small but noteworthy cascade. Taking a sharp left away from the tributary, the trail proceeds up a series of switchbacks to Zeta Pass and the junction with the Carter-Moriah Trail, 1.9 miles from the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail.
The Carter Dome Trail travels along the Carter-Moriah Trail briefly before the Carter-Moriah Trail turns left to the bare summit of Mount Hight. This 0.8-mile section of the Carter Moriah Trail offers a scenic detour from the Carter Dome Trail; the views are spectacular, but the way is steep and very exposed to weather. The Carter Dome Trail heads left at this junction, continuing its steady, moderate, and sheltered ascent until meeting back up with the Carter-Moriah Trail 0.6 miles later. From here the trail ascends through high scrub to the small clearing at the summit of Carter Dome (elevation 4,823), with some limited views.
The route continues south from Carter Dome on the Carter-Moriah Trail. It descends moderately, passing a spring and a viewpoint overlooking Carter Notch and the talus slope above known as the Ramparts. Near the top of the Ramparts, a house-sized boulder named Pulpit Rock sits precariously above the Notch. The trail then descends more steeply into Carter Notch and meets the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail at the shore of Carter Lake. Carter Notch Hut is located just a few hundred feet above the upper lake.
Heading back downhill for the Nineteen Mile Brook Trailhead, there is a short steep climb up from Carter Lake along the Carter-Moriah Trail to the junction with the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail. The route heads right onto the Nineteen Mile Brook trail to a steep descent for a half-mile before the grade moderates for the mile before returning to the junction of the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail and the Carter Dome Trail, from which the Carter Dome trail began.
Before you hike, know the hiker responsibility code and be prepared:
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These trails are managed by the White Mountains National Forest and maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club. For more information, visit the Forest Service trail page, or contact:
The trailhead is located on the east side NH-16, 1 mile north of the Mount Washington Auto Road, or 6.8 miles south of Gorham. There is a parking area off the road. This parking area is also a stop for the AMC Hiker Shuttle.
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