Being back in NH gives me a chance to hike in the White Mountains and gives Paul a chance to knock some more peaks off his NH 4,000 footer list.  We had decided a couple months ago to shoot for the Carters which includes 4 peaks over 4K feet, but only 3 count because of the “rules” (check out the FAQ page on the 4,000 footer link for why).

Paul and I were joined by our nephew Jacob and our friend Scott (AKA Gomer).  The forecast really couldn’t have been better for the hike either.  Low humidity, by NH standards, nice breeze and clear sky.  Just what we needed.

We didn’t get to the trailhead until about 9:30-9:45 which by NH hiking standards is late.  19 Mile Brook parking lot was packed so we ended up a couple hundred feet down the road.

The plan was hike up to Carter Notch Hut, then up to Carter Dome and across the ridge to South, Middle and North Carter then back down the Imp Trail.  Roughly 13 miles.

I never knew how rugged the trails in the Northeast were until we moved away.  It’s what I grew up hiking and it’s all I really knew.  Now with 2 years of hiking in the Cascades in the PNW, I have grown to appreciate the character of our White Mountain trails back here in the Northeast.

I was not informed that today’s attire would require blue shirts and gray shorts

I’ve always been a big fan of the AMC Huts.  Never had the opportunity to stay overnight in one, but I have taken advantage of their food and warmth on some pretty epic days of hiking.

It’s an almost 1,000 foot gain from the hut to Carter Dome in just over 1 mile, but then you get some spectacular views of the Presidential Range to the West and then East into Maine and lots and lots of woods.

You can just make out in this picture the green roofs of the main Carter Notch Hut and then the associated bunkhouses.  Plus the slide from Carter Dome just in the lower left hand corner.

Carter Dome has the best views, South and Middle are just treed summits and North has some decent views, but not as nice.  We saw quite a few other hikers today and even a couple with a Chinook, the official NH dog.

It was a great day to spend with my brother, nephew and friend.  We couldn’t have asked for better weather and it was good to just be able to catch up.

The goal will be to get in at least one peak per visit.  Paul still has like 30 summits to go.  Not sure how many Jacob needs and I don’t know if Scott is even keeping track.

All the pics here

That’s about it for now.  Thanks for reading

-Pete