Summit: Middle Carter (4,670'), South Carter (4,430')
Trail route: Camp Dodge cut-off, Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail
Trail conditions: Solid snowshoe trail to start then loose, unconsolidated snow at higher elevations then a bare booting mess on the way down
Weather: Frigid to start and cold thereafter, partly cloudy with sunshine
Total miles: 10.7
Total time: 6:43
When I woke up this morning I checked the outside temperature and almost went back to bed, it was 15 below zero! I would be hiking with Scott, Lisa, Jim, Guy and Brent today and knew that frigid temps wouldn't stop them. The area received a foot of snow two days ago and it was going to be interesting to see what the trail conditions would be. Scott, Lisa and Jim would be continuing on to the Wildcats summits, Guy was going to Carter Dome, Brent and I only needed Middle and South Carters.
It was a short drive to the trailhead and I was soon on my way. I arrived at the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail parking lot and the others were already there. I got the last parking space so I thought we would see a lot of hikers on the trails. The starting temp was 10 below zero. It was a short road walk to Camp Dodge. We were glad to see a well packed snowshoe trench to start and it continued on the Imp Trail then up the North Carter Trail to the Carter-Moriah Trail where conditions would change.
The Carter-Moriah Trail had been broke out but consisted of several inches of soft unconsolidated snow probably due to wind blown snow and drifting overnight. It was a soft powder slog all the way across and over Middle and South Carters. Scott, Lisa and Jim were far ahead as they needed more summits and they are faster. When we arrived at Zeta Pass Guy turned left to ascend Carter Dome. Brent and I turned right and descended Carter Dome Trail.
This is where it got frustrating. What was initially a trail broken out with snowshoes was now a torn up, rototilled mess created by a group of bare booters, hikers that were not wearing snowshoes. There is really no excuse for not wearing snowshoes after a major snowstorm. I'm not sure what the mindset is of an individual that would venture out into the wilderness in deep snow conditions without the proper equipment. At the very least it is irresponsible as well as inconsiderate of other hikers that are going to use the trails.
We got down to Nineteen Mile Brook Trail and found it to be well packed and soft due to more hiker traffic but we met bare booters coming up the trail tearing it up. Back at the parking lot Brent and I completed the loop. The temp was a bit "warmer" than this morning but it was cold all day. I was glad I ventured out of my warm house this morning and got these two summits done for February.
This hike today brought my grid count to 520/576. This can be a tough month for hiking and I have eleven more summits to grid out February.
Enjoy the photos and videos!
Sun shines on the high summits during our road walk to Camp Dodge
A nicely packed snowshoe trench going into Camp Dodge
Heeding the sign
Snow surrounds a building at Camp Dodge
Blue sky and clouds through the trees
The snowshoe trench continues up the Imp Trail
Trail junction ahead
Heading up the North Carter Trail
Another trail junction
On the Carter-Moriah Trail
Sun trying to break through the clouds
Lisa and Scott on the ridge up ahead
Zooming in on Lisa and Scott
Presidential summits
A look back
Brent on his way after adding some layers
Middle Carter up ahead
A view of Wildcat Ski Area
On the summit of Middle Carter
View from Middle Carter
Mount Washington
Mount Jefferson
Mount Adams
Mount Madison
A tricky section of trail to get up and over
Brent coming up
South Carter ahead
Beautiful stretch of trail
Another steep section of trail
A look back at Middle Carter
Here comes Brent up another steep section
Woods full of frozen Old Man's Beard
On the summit of South Carter
On our way to Zeta Pass
Easy under blowdown
Arriving at Zeta Pass
Guy on his way to Carter Dome
Very nice snow bridge over this water crossing
Lots of snow on this brook
Snow covered dam
One last mile to the trailhead from here
Back at the parking lot completes the loop after 10.7 miles
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
No comments:
Post a Comment