Summit: Carter Dome (4,832')
Trail route: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail
Trail conditions: Slushy, some ice and exposed rocks and roots
Weather: Cool temps, overcast sky with light drizzle and some snowflakes
Total miles: 10
Total time: 6:00
The weather report was not looking favorable with warm temps and drizzle turning to mixed precipitation and snow by noontime. Although the forecast was not looking ideal it was still acceptable for a hike to Carter Dome.
There was steady drizzle on the drive to the trailhead. The parking lot was icy but wasn't sure what the trail would be like with the recent warm temperatures. A couple hundred yards up the trail and the microspikes went on due to patches of ice and soft snow.
Turning onto the Carter Dome Trail there was a few more inches of soft snow, slush and some sections of flowing ice. The drizzle was making it a very wet hike. These conditions continued to Zeta Pass and beyond. The snow got a little deeper but still soft and slushy along the way to the summit.
With the overcast sky there were no views. The constant drizzle was now mixed with snow flakes at the summit. Not a day for lingering and basking so a quick summit pic before starting the descent back to the trailhead.
It was quite the slushfest on the way down. The precipitation turned to all snow which was much better than the drizzle. Except for the four hikers coming down at the start of the hike no others were seen.
Definitely a Type 2 Fun kind of day, not fun while doing it but fun when looking back on it. With lots of summits on my January grid list it was nice to get this one done. Hoping to get some better weather for my next hike this month!
Enjoy the photos!
Gloomy start
Bridge with slush
The slush trail continues
Easy water crossing
Another easy water crossing
Ice flow on the trail
Zeta Pass
Almost to the summit
No views from the summit
Descending
Snowy branch
Back at the trailhead
Having Type II Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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