1HappyHiker
Well-known member
TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail
On the outbound portion of our hike, this trail was a "sidewalk" of highly consolidated snowpack and we wore microspikes up to the junction with the Carter Dome Trail. However, the trail had softened considerably during the day, and we felt that snowshoes were more appropriate for our inbound trek to the trailhead.
Carter Dome Trail
This trail was only partially broken out, and then just up to the point of the second brook crossing. At the second brook crossing, there are a number of confusing tracks on the other side of the brook. If you pay special note to the directions provided in the WMG, you will end up on the trail. The WMG says that after the second brook crossing, the trail "swings left, then in 50 yd. turns sharp right". The sharp right turn is easy to miss, and seems counterintuitive to go in that direction.
The snow conditions on this trail varied from wet/sticky to loose granular. All water crossings were ice-bridged. Blowdowns were minimal and easily worked around.
Carter-Moriah Trail (to Mt. Hight)
If anyone should decide to go to Mt. Hight over the next few days, please be advised that we had some difficulty with locating the point where the Carter-Moriah Trail diverges from the Carter Dome Trail. If you go far enough along the Carter Dome Trail, you will see tracks leading off to the east in 3 different places. You can skip the first set of tracks. It's a dead end. The second and third set of tracks will get you to Mt. Hight. However, the third set of tracks follows the actual trail corridor for the entire distance.
It was quite a challenge breaking trail up the steep incline leading to Mt. Hight. The snow conditions are probably best described as an unpacked powder. Surprisingly, blowdowns were minimal and easily worked around.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: Both microspikes and snowshoes were used on this trek. I'd say that snowshoes are a must.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Photos and some additional details about this trek are located in the Trip Reports forum. (Click HERE)
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail
On the outbound portion of our hike, this trail was a "sidewalk" of highly consolidated snowpack and we wore microspikes up to the junction with the Carter Dome Trail. However, the trail had softened considerably during the day, and we felt that snowshoes were more appropriate for our inbound trek to the trailhead.
Carter Dome Trail
This trail was only partially broken out, and then just up to the point of the second brook crossing. At the second brook crossing, there are a number of confusing tracks on the other side of the brook. If you pay special note to the directions provided in the WMG, you will end up on the trail. The WMG says that after the second brook crossing, the trail "swings left, then in 50 yd. turns sharp right". The sharp right turn is easy to miss, and seems counterintuitive to go in that direction.
The snow conditions on this trail varied from wet/sticky to loose granular. All water crossings were ice-bridged. Blowdowns were minimal and easily worked around.
Carter-Moriah Trail (to Mt. Hight)
If anyone should decide to go to Mt. Hight over the next few days, please be advised that we had some difficulty with locating the point where the Carter-Moriah Trail diverges from the Carter Dome Trail. If you go far enough along the Carter Dome Trail, you will see tracks leading off to the east in 3 different places. You can skip the first set of tracks. It's a dead end. The second and third set of tracks will get you to Mt. Hight. However, the third set of tracks follows the actual trail corridor for the entire distance.
It was quite a challenge breaking trail up the steep incline leading to Mt. Hight. The snow conditions are probably best described as an unpacked powder. Surprisingly, blowdowns were minimal and easily worked around.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: Both microspikes and snowshoes were used on this trek. I'd say that snowshoes are a must.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Photos and some additional details about this trek are located in the Trip Reports forum. (Click HERE)
