Outdoor Diversion: Spring Conditions Across the Carters

Summit: Middle Carter (4,670'), South Carter (4,430')
Trail route: Dodge Camp cut-off, Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail
Trail conditions: Solid trail with loose unconsolidated snow and don't step off the trail
Weather: Cool, comfortable temps, partly sunny to cloudy with some brief light rain showers
Total miles: 10.7
Total time: 7:30

Another Spring hike and another day of uncertain conditions. While Spring might be noticeable in the lower elevations it is very much mid-winter conditions in the higher elevations. My two big concerns were deep, soft snow and unsafe water crossings. Today I would be hiking Middle and South Carters with Scott, Lisa, Jill, Robin and Guy. I was quite certain we were prepared for any conditions we might encounter.

We met at the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail parking lot. From there we road walked down to Dodge Camp. It was here that we put on microspikes before heading up to the Imp Trail. We quickly learned that it was imperative we stay in the middle of the packed trail. One step off trail would result in a deep posthole and it would only get deeper as we got into the higher elevations.

Our first water crossing resulted in a minor mishap as one of us fell into the water. It was a quick recovery with only a minor soaking and we continued on. We crossed a section of trail that was completely bare before moving back into deep snow again. We arrived at the North Carter Trail junction and were soon pushing our way through bent over spruce trees and branches. This would continue intermittently for most of the hike.

When we reached the Carter-Moriah Trail I barely noticed that we had turned onto it. The snow was very deep and completely covered the trail sign. It was only because I had been here several times before that I did recognize the area. The trail was unbroken going toward North Carter but an old trough was somewhat noticeable on careful observation.

We continued on to Middle Carter with microspikes but care had to be taken to stay exactly in the center of the packed trail. One step off trail would result in a very deep posthole. When we reached Mount Lethe Robin and Jill took an unbroken side path to the summit. Upon return they said there was some waist deep postholing and they crawled the last twenty feet to the summit. It was here that Jill put on snowshoes while the rest of us remained in microspikes. We passed over Middle Carter with barely a notice.

Dark clouds were starting to move in as we made our way to South Carter. The high summits were still in the clear and there was some spectacular views with snow-capped mountaintops against gray clouds. We arrived at South Carter as light frozen precipitation started to fall. We took a lunch break while Guy moved on to Carter Dome. The rest of us did not need that summit today.

It was a steep drop from South Carter and on to Zeta Pass. We descended the Carter Dome Trail. The one large water crossing I had been concerned about was easily crossed with a very thick and solid snow bridge. There were several more smaller water crossings that were either not bridged or had weak snow bridges but did not present a problem. It was down through here that I was becoming careless with not staying on the trail and postholed complete with faceplant twice.

Reaching the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail we were now on the 1.9 mile home stretch. There was still lots of ice and snow on the Nineteen Mile Brook with lots of water flow. We crossed two bridges that had a good monorail on them. Back at the parking lot there was no further precipitation but still cloudy. Guy arrived shortly thereafter, he must have run down from Carter Dome.

The trail and weather conditions were actually better than I was expecting. With warmer temps and more rain in the forecast for this week the hiking is going to get tough. Spring hiking will become very challenging with high water and soft, deep snow. But today was another fun hike on the trails with this awesome group of hikers!

Enjoy the photos and videos!