South Carter Mountain (4,430') and Middle Carter Mountain (4,610')

TRILLIUM

When I hear the black-throated 

green warbler sing its return 

to these hemlock forests

and I smell the thaw 

of mountain soil, before the trees 

leaf-out to block my sun

or the snow lets go 

of its thick winter path

I’ll know it’s my chance

to unfurl my three-parted petals 

and catch the dew of early spring 

The summit of South Carter Mountain (sign credits: Rose Kiok-Kirshenbaum)

The summit of Middle Carter Mountain (sign credits: Rose Kiok-Kirshenbaum)

Hike level: Moderate

Location: Coös County, NH

Driving distance from Boston: About 3.5 hours

Cost: FREE to hike

Description: Middle Carter and South Carter Mountains are part of the
Carter-Moriah Range. Although both summits are wooded, there are some excellent views along the ridge between the two peaks. You can make a loop, starting at Nineteen Mile Brook Trail then turning left onto Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, North Carter Trail and Imp trail. We expected this loop to include a 1.5 mile road walk, but about 2/3 the way down the Imp trail there is an unmarked path on the left that leads to Camp Dodge which cuts the total mileage by about 2 miles and lessens the time on the road. Total mileage with the this shortcut it about 10.5.