 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
| Home | Trail Descriptions | Articles | Links | Seasonal Tips | Forum |
The Imp Trail makes a six-mile loop on the E side of NH Route 16 N of Pinkham Notch. It can be used as an up-and-back trip to an interesting viewpoint (about 4.4 miles round-trip with 1900 feet of elevation gain), a loop (about 6.6 miles with 2100 feet of elevation gain), or as access to the Carter-Moriah Trail (particularly South and Middle Carter Mountains). It has moderate grades but some rough walking.
To ascend South and Middle Carter via the Nineteen-Mile Brook and Carter Dome Trails and descend via the North Carter and Imp Trails is about 10.7 miles with about 3500 feet of elevation gain, but you are 1.3 miles from your starting point. To go up and back via the Nineteen-Mile Brook and Carter Dome Trails is about 11.4 miles with about 3600 feet of elevation gain, but you return to the same point. To ascend Middle and South Carter via the North Carter and Imp Trails and return via the other leg of the Imp Trail is about 12.3 miles with about 4200 feet of elevation gain so it is somewhat more difficult, but you are only .3 miles from your starting point and half of the way down is new scenery.
Distance: Around loop, about 6.3 miles plus .3 miles on road to starting point
Elevation gain: From NH Route 16 to North Carter Trail, about 2000 feet either way
Maps:
USGS Carter Dome
AMC Carter Range-Evans Notch
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map G-8
DeLorme NHA&G 49-K8/9 - Martins Location/Beans Purchase/Greens Grant
The trail is located S of Gorham and NE of Pinkham Notch
North Trailhead: Wide area on E side of NH Route 16 about 5.1 miles N of AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and 1.1 miles S of Dolly Copp Campground entrance, elevation about 1270 feet
44.3232°N, 71.2167°W (WGS84)
From I-93 exit 35 N of Franconia Notch, take US Route 3 N about 13 miles to NH Route 115. Turn R on NH Route 115 and follow it about 10 miles to its end at US Route 2. Turn R on US Route 2 and follow it 14.5 miles to Gorham town common with railroad station. Turn R on NH Route 16 and go S 5.5 miles to trailhead.
South Trailhead: Wide area on E side of NH Route 16 about 4.8 miles N of AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and 1.4 miles S of Dolly Copp Campground entrance, elevation about 1283 feet
44.3198°N, 71.2169°W (WGS84)
Follow directions to N trailhead and continue S another .3 miles.
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: White Mountain National Forest
Special regulations: No camping within 1/4 mi. of trailheads
From its N trailhead, the Imp Trail starts uphill at a moderate grade, soon crossing a powerline. After crossing Imp Brook at .7 miles it ascends steadily, making a long sidehill traverse L before zagging R to regain the ridge. After a steady climb, it veers R to the top of a cliff where W and S views are available well back from the edge. This is about 2.2 miles from the highway, and a profile on the cliff face seen from Dolly Copp Road is called The Imp or Imp Face. The trail ascends for another .1 miles, then makes a sudden short descent to another clifftop viewpoint with lesser views at more risk than the previous one. The trail passes S of the '3165' highpoint in the woods, and continues on sidehill with minor ups and downs, crossing several small brooks. At 3.1 miles, it makes a short descent to the junction with the North Carter Trail which leads uphill to the Carter-Moriah Trail on the ridgetop.
The Imp Trail continues downhill briefly, then continues L on sidehill with a general downhill trend, crossing several minor brooks. One interesting spot is where a brook runs in a stone ditch to the R of the trail, then down the middle of the trail, and then in a stone ditch to the L of the trail before finally running off downhill. At about 4.8 miles, the Imp Trail reaches a ridge above Cowboy Brook and turns downhill, then shortly starts to angle back to the R.
This is a good direction for hikers making the loop, but those who wish to return to the Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail parking lot occasionally bushwhack across the brook and back to that trail: there used to be connecting trails here but schemes to rebuild them never seem to happen. The Imp Trail continues to angle R and become less steep, and at about 5.3 miles it crosses a grassy woods road which leads L .2 miles to the AMC Camp Dodge Volunteer Center where they will sign you up for trail repairs. The Imp Trail crosses a minor ridge, then angles R downhill again crossing several brooks that have grown since they were previously crossed higher up. It ends at its S trailhead at NH Route 16 at 6.3 miles, go R .3 miles for the N trailhead.
Parking plowed in winter.
Map Notes: NA
| Start a discussion about this page | e-mail Content Manager |