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The Carter Dome Trail leads from the Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail about 1.9 miles from Route 16 to the summit of Carter Dome, partly in conjunction with the Carter-Moriah Trail. It is the former fire tower access path and provides the easiest and most popular day hike of the Carters, although there is substantial elevation gain.
Distance: From Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail to Zeta Pass, about 1.8 miles one-way
From NH Route 16 to Carter Dome, about 4.9 miles one-way
Elevation gain: From Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail to Zeta Pass, about 1600 feet
From NH Route 16 to Carter Dome, about 3400 feet
Nominal in reverse direction
Maps:
USGS Carter Dome
AMC Carter Range-Evans Notch
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map G-8
DeLorme NHA&G 45-A8/9 - Beans Purchase
The trail is located SE of US Route 2 and NH Route 16 at Gorham
Lower End: Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail, elevation about 2322 feet
Far End: Carter Dome, elevation about 4832 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: White Mountain National Forest
Special regulations: No camping within 1/4 mi. of Zeta Pass
From the junction with the Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail, the Carter Dome Trail follows the side brook uphill at a moderate grade, crossing at .5 miles and recrossing at .8 miles. From the second crossing, the trail ascends by 8 switchbacks, with the early ones being very short and the later ones longer. A last short uphill section leads to the first junction with the Carter-Moriah Trail near Zeta Pass at 1.8 miles. Just as the junction comes in view, a path R leads a short distance down to water. Due to past overuse, no camping is allowed near Zeta Pass, and the trails have been relocated and revegetated.
The Carter Dome Trail turns R and runs concurrently with the Carter-Moriah Trail for a long .1 miles. After the junction, the Carter Dome Trail angles up the slope to the R, bypassing the summit of Mount Hight and reaching the third and last junction with the Carter-Moriah Trail at 2.6 miles. The Black Angel Trail is on the L 30 yards further up, with the summit of Carter Dome another .4 miles up the ridge.
Snowdrifts several feet deep are common in winter near Carter Dome.
Map Notes: Neither the AMC nor USGS map correctly shows the brook crossings and switchbacks between the Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail and Zeta Pass. The old trail locations near Zeta Pass are shown on the USGS map instead of the current ones.
Bench at Zeta Pass
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