Trails Used
Carter-Morian
Trail Conditions
Notes
Not much to comment on. A bit wet and slow on the descent, cold and rainy on top. Only 6 others on the trail today that I saw. New trail is a nice addition.
Parking
Plenty of room
Water Crossings
n/a which is why I chose this trail today.
Wildlife
Too cool
Trails Used
Carter Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
Moriah is wet and muddy. Take your time and you'll be fine.
Parking
3 cars at 7am. About 10 mid-day.
Water Crossings
The little stream .25 miles in is muddy but you can get over it with a few careful steps.
Wildlife
A few biters in the lot, but none otherwise.
Trails Used
Carter-Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
First hike of the day before Mt Winthrop for NH1500 Footers. This was another peak for 4K a day grid. I was unaware of the new parking situation and official change to the trail down low, though I was mostly familiar with both from my time gridding (just wasn't official yet). The reroute doesn't exactly follow the way people used to go up in winter, though: there's a new section of trail (or mountain bike trail; to me, it looks like a mountain bike trail, but maybe that's just because it's so new) that connects to the old road you used to follow. Instead of following the old road/snowmobile trail very briefly, then turning right to connect to the C-M Trail, you follow it a little longer (another 0.1mi), then turn right onto the new trail that connects to the C-M Trail. This is all marked well and signed. The jct with the old section of trail is very much blocked off with debris. The trail was mostly dry down low but had some very wet and muddy spots higher up. The ledges were almost totally dry from the rain the past few days (I almost hiked this yesterday afternoon once the rain stopped, but decided on Hale instead to give the ledges some more time to dry). The trail has a bit of a warm-up to start, but also throws in some steeper pitches, though with generally good footing. The ledges offer a good place for a break and a great view. The first ledges you come to aren't that steep and certainly don't involve any scrambling, but after you duck back into the woods and come to the second set of ledges, the scrambling begins. More steep stuff, some rougher footing, etc., higher up as the woods change. This section felt longer than I remember. Great views from the top, and I only saw one man shortly after I started, two women not too far from the top, and a rather worrisome group of teens without water, just shy of the ledges that were coming up as I was heading down. Luckily, they were only heading to Mt. Surprise. I waited around a bit at the bottom, and I was glad to see them return before I left. Gaia had me at 8.9mi, 3200ft of gain, 4hr35min.
Parking
This probably happened years ago, and I was just unaware, but it looks like the official trailhead has changed and is no longer at the end of the street, but is rather a short way before at the powerlines. Room for many cars, but I was only one of four at 2pm.
Water Crossings
There's a very small crossing on the new reroute. However small it may be, it's eroded. They should make a really small bridge or something.
Wildlife
Not too bad, actually. Black flies at the summit, and mosquitoes coming out down low as it was evening by that point, but overall, nowhere near as bad as I might have expected.
Trails Used
Stoney Brook Trail, Carter Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
I knew if I didn’t get out today I was leaving a chance my grid would end on Moriah next May… so I figured I had to try and see if the rain held back. I talked Ann into coming thankfully so I had some good company. Stoney brook is such a pretty trail and way less used! It was raining when we left, and thankfully the trees kept us mostly dry. We started in rain jackets but pretty soon I was in my shortsleeve shirt. We only saw 2 backpackers coming down and 2 up on the ridge. The rain stopped just after 10 and we hit the AT around 11ish when it started back up. It was a little windy on the slabs which thankfully made them stay dry going up. It started actually raining right before the summit, which the summit almost blew us off! We quickly went down and kept the rainjackets on for the rest of the trip down. The slabs were a little slow going down with them now being wet but we made it safely. We made quick time on stoney brook after a brownie and a cookie and before we knew it we were back to the lot! Only 1 peak left for the grid and thankfully in a few months!
Parking
Weird I know… but lot only had 2 probably hikers and 1 buyer in the lot
Water Crossings
No issues
Wildlife
Rain scared them away
Trails Used
Carter Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
I had forgotten how unrelenting this trail is! It lulls you into a false sense of security at the beginning - gentle slopes and beautiful forest, then BAM! You hit the ledges that last longer than I remembered. At least they are grippy, although I wouldn't want to try them when they are wet. Then comes the PUDS and more steep trail. Worth it for the view at the top though.
Parking
Park under powerlines on Bangor Road.
Water Crossings
nothing major
Trails Used
wildcat ridge, carter moriah, stony brook, route 16
Trail Conditions
Notes
It was an amazing weekend to backpack the wildcat carter moriah traverse. The only snow i encountered was between carter dome and hight. Otherwise there was wet rock slab and running water on trail. I had the imp campsite all to myself. No traction was needed.
Water Crossings
All crossable
Wildlife
none
Also on this trip
Trails Used
Pine Mountain Tr, Chapel Rock Spur, Pine Mtn Horton Center Rd, Dolly Copp Rd, Campground Rd, Great Gulf Link, Great Gulf Tr, Route 16, 19 Mile Brook Tr, Carter Moriah Tr, Gorham Roads
Trail Conditions
Notes
The Carter Notch Hut caretaker told me they got 3" of rain in the recent storm. Overall, conditions were extremely wet for most of this route. I'd expect they would be noticeably better by tomorrow, though. Climbing up and over Pine Mountain wasn't too bad, mostly a mix of dry trail, wet trail, and relatively minor mud. The conditions on this part of the day were pretty much as good as I could have realistically expected. The Great Gulf Link and the very short stretch of the Great Gulf Trail were also in pretty good shape. 19 Mile Brook was decent with only a few really wet spots up to the Carter Dome Trail intersection, then between there and the hut I felt like I was climbing up a stream bed. I was able to rock hop pieces of it, but by that point, I mostly just accepted that my feet were going to be very wet all day. Above the hut heading to Carter Dome, the trail was more just damp with a lot less standing or running water. The only real stretch of significant/unavoidable snow I encountered was between the summit of Carter Dome and the intersection of the Carter Dome Trail and the Carter Moriah Trail. There was a fairly consistent monorail for this 0.4 mile stretch that was typically 2-3 feet tall and was often less than 8" wide. Shockingly, I did not posthole once and never felt the need to wear spikes. The Carter Moriah trail heading to Mount Hight and down to Zeta Pass was almost entirely snow free, and not terribly wet. The stretch of trail between Zeta Pass all the way to North Carter was 99% snow free, as well. Descending the north side of North Carter had a few small patches, but they were mostly avoidable. All the rocks were soaked, but I was able to descend safely when I watched my step. Between that ~0.3 mile rough stretch and the summit of Moriah, the conditions were a little better but still quite wet. The first 2.5 miles descending from the summit of Moriah down to Gorham were pretty frustrating with all the wetness and bad footing, but conditions improved dramatically after Mount Surprise. I ended up doing about 27 miles and 8,500' of gain in total. If you want to avoid the worst of the runoff from the storm, I would recommend hitting Pine Mountain. Otherwise, the Carters and Moriah will need a few more days to dry out.
Parking
Plenty of room in the Pine Mountain Trail parking lot on the corner of Railroad St and Church St.
Water Crossings
I don't recall having issues on any water crossings on this route, but to be fair, I think that may be because some of the trails themselves are basically streams at this point.
Trails Used
Decommissioned Trail to Stony Brook, Carter Moriah, North Carter Trail, & Imp
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Conditions have changed based on reports read from last week on here. Seems flash thawing out causing entire upper mountain to be one massive waterfall- water crossings are more than normal and most trails have 4 inches minimum moving/standing water (max routinely saw: 12"). North facing slopes still hanging on to some ice & snow but easily passable while staying on trail. South facing all clear of snow/ice. North Carter & Imp trail held many ice spots and beware of ice under water puddles on NC near ridge split off. Experienced a lot on trails- this was new for me, although I typically hike fall shoulder season and rarely hit early spring.
Water Crossings
Truly not possible for any on this route & assume in the range. If you are willing to travel up & down crossings to find a sketchy spot... still not advisable and got worse as day went on. Water crossings where none should be (melt off, waterfall- fast moving water everywhere above ~2.5k)
Wildlife
None at elevation. Mosquitos, flies, etc. once below 2.5k and rain stopped.
Trails Used
Stony Brook Trail : Carter-Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
The ledge surfaces on the Carter-Moriah Trail were dry. These ledges may be challenging if wet. The steep rock from the Carter-Moriah junction with the Kenduskeag Trail up to the summit is free of ice and snow. The only significant snow is at the junction of the Carter-Moriah Trail and the summit spur. This short stretch of snow can be safely walked upon without traction. Otherwise, there were only small patches of snow/ice on the Carter-Moriah Trail that were easily avoidable. There was some water running down the trail for short distances especially near the top of the Stony Brook Trail. One can rock hop to avoid the running water. No traction is needed for this hike. There are Painted Trillium, Red Trillium, Hobblebush, and violets in bloom on the Stony Brook Trail. Great views from the ledges on the Carter-Moriah Trail and at the summit. Nice to chat with Audrey, a hiker originally from Riga, Latvia, and Claude.
Parking
Plenty of space in the dirt lot just off route 16. The trailhead is a short distance up a road that leads to a residential area (signed with bridge over the brook).
Water Crossings
Lots of rocks at the crossing of Stony Brook. There were stones above the water level at the marked trail crossing or another spot just upstream using a well-worn path. The water level was not high. Nice green tinted pool just downstream of the crossing. The crossing of the tributaries was easy.
Wildlife
A few. Not bothersome.
Trails Used
Carter Moriah
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
I didn't read the reviews before starting Saturday. I was also not aware of the "known for its slabs" either. It started clear which was a gorgeous start. Definitely a challenge, definitely a calf burner, and definitely hard. We had everything you'd find on a trail right now. Mud, running water, ice (though only the final 50 feet before the summit) we took spikes as recommended and used them down that same 50 feet. Rocks, slabs, boulders, climbing, ice, water on trail, mud. But the views before the clouds and weather rolled in... oh my!!!! George, Madison, Carters, Baldfaces. Oh my!!! We were only on the summit for a minute taking in the views and recording videos before going back down as it was very windy and cold.
Parking
Very small. Start early
Wildlife
They're baaaack. Though once the clouds arrived, they went away.
Trails Used
Carter-Moriah
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Nice day to hike Moriah. There was a small section of ice at ~ 3,600 or 3,700 ft. I used spikes for ~ 75 feet. Most did not for this section. There was more consistent ice a a little higher up. Spikes went back on and stayed on until I was back down below the ice. There was a short monorail just below the summit. Beautiful views from the summit. Glad I made it back to the car before the rain! Saw my first red trillium this spring!
Parking
Parked at the lot at the new trailhead on Bangor Road.
Water Crossings
None
Wildlife
Saw a few but not biting.
Trails Used
Carter Moriah Tr
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
The trail re-route was very well done from the power line parking lot, it goes a bit higher up than the old trail did. Turned out to be a nicer day than I expected with some blue skies and a few other hikers on the trail. Therre was ice and monorail above 3900, I put on spikes for the last 10min up and down, but I think everyone else went without as you could avoid the ice if you went a bit off trail. I also meet Steve a fellow Grid hiker working on his over 65 grid. Nice to chat and hike a bit with you.
Parking
Plenty of space today at the power line trail head
Water Crossings
No issue on this hike
Wildlife
none
Trails Used
Stony Brook and Carter Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
No snow at all on Stony Brook Trail, short sections of fading packed monorail on Carter Moriah Trail and a couple of maneuverable hard packed snow/ice patches on summit spur. Carried Microspikes but didn't feel the need to use them at all. Flicked lots of sticks off trail. For April, trail is in good shape. Would have preferred cooler temps - not used to the heat of today but a great day to be out just the same.
Water Crossings
Easily rock hopped
Also on this trip
Trails Used
Carter-Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Notes
Bare wet trail with a slight rain to start. Snow started to accumulate about 1 mile in. Ledges before and after Mt. Surprise were grippy despite being wet (speedgoats for the win). About 3" of new snow up top, wet but not super slick, never thought about putting on traction. A lot of slushy standing water on the trail. The snow is wet and will disappear quickly with warmer temps coming.
Parking
Under power lines, new trailhead leaves from the lot so no need to do the road walk.
Trails Used
Stony Brook Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Bareboot all the way, up and down. I carried my rock spikes but did not need them, though I'm including "light traction" out of an abundance of caution for other people's comfort levels. Stony Brook Trail was mostly quite dry, a bit of water streaming down closer to the junction with Carter-Moriah, but nothing impeding or tedious at all. Carter-Moriah Trail ledges are completely void of snow and ice, though the tree debris (needles) from the winter creates some slick spots going up or down some of the rocks. In the wooded sections there were very small sections of monorail and some fresh icy spots (mostly breakable but some not as much as I expected) and a few muddy/wet spots. I found the monorail remnants to be easily avoided and when not, it was easily barebooted. Up the final two steeps from this side there were two sections of decent snow for a very, very small bit-steps were kicked into the snow and it was not an issue going up or coming down without traction. I took Stony Brook Trail back down. Saw only 4 people today.
Parking
Trailhead is easy to find on the corner of Stony Brook Rd and Route 16. Dirt lot, not very bumpy and not muddy at all. One car there at 12pm, 2 different cars at 4pm
Water Crossings
There's a couple small crossings, they were no issue at all
Wildlife
It has started. Those little teeny tiny ones that like your hair and the back of your neck are out and will probably get worse.
Trails Used
Carter Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Trail was mostly dry - ledges were bare and dry. Some ice in trail above ledges - easy walk around. Sigificant ice in last few pitches near the top - recomend traction up and down in this section. Best conditions for Moriah I've ever seen.
Parking
Gorham lot - Plenty of space
Water Crossings
None
Wildlife
None
Trails Used
Carter-Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
I was expecting more snow would have fallen last night but instead, it snowed most of the hike today. There is bare ground and a dusting of snow down low. The ledges around Mt Surprise had frozen run off mixed with bare rock to start. Initially I picked my way up them, trying to stay on the dry rock. But there was more ice as I ascended and it got too tedious so I put on Hillsound Pros. It continued alternating with ice, bare rock, sticky snow, breakable ice, etc all the way up. The new snow covered up the blue ice higher up and since it was cold today, the ice was not soft and I had trouble getting any traction in places. By the time I was within a mile of the summit it was like a blizzard up there and the snow was accumulating. Initially, even up high it was only an inch but on my way back down there was probably 3 inches. The trail is too lumpy for snowshoes so light traction is still going to be the best choice. On the descent even my Pros were balling up and I was kicking clumps of snow off at every rock and tree. I tried threats and foul language but that didn't work either. Finally just before Mt Surprise I took the spikes off and bare booted the rest of the way. That was much better and the ice from the morning had melted out. I am guessing the new snow won't stick around long but spikes will still be needed. I know it's April and we are all over the whole snow thing, but it sure was pretty up there this morning. It was like hiking in a little snow globe. :)
Parking
I was the first one in the lot and there is plenty of room for about 7 cars if folks park carefully.
Water Crossings
N/A
Wildlife
Still in Hell
Trails Used
Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Ski Trails
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Started up the Imp stream which was barebootable all the way up save for one or two short sections. I wanted to get Moriah too today and there was so little snow on Imp I figured I’d give the out-and-back a try rather than climbing all the way back up later. I knew it would be rough in there. Sketchy descent down N Carter, lots of post holing, especially into running water below on the bog bridge sections. This section needs a few more weeks to be enjoyable. Past the campsite was better, and up the Moriah ledges was mostly bare. Once back to the Carters it was narrow monorail until past S Carter where the trail was mostly bare until past Black Angel. Lots of snow up to Carter Dome still. Narrow monorail tough to stay on top of. Same for going down to the notch. Must have taken my spikes on and off a dozen times on the Wildcat Ridge trail. Some cruisy sections, others tricky monorail, and sometimes bare trail. Managed to get a hitch back to 19 mile pretty easily from a Tucks skier. This was a rough day but it felt good to get all these for April and make it halfway to the grid.
Trails Used
Carter-Moriah trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Great day today! Bare-booted first 3 miles; then put on spikes to the top and back to roughly the same spot. Thick ice at last 2.5 miles on trail to summit. Great views at summit with 360° and a beautiful view of Mt. Washington. Didn’t carry snowshoes and they weren’t needed. Definitely bring micro spikes.
Water Crossings
None
Trails Used
Stony brook, carter moriah
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
The first few miles were snow free. The top half mile of stony brook had thick ice covered in a layer of slush, so it was very difficult. I didnt encounter a monorail until carter moriah trail. It was off and on, becoming more consistent near the summit. The ledges were all melted and dry. Snowshoes would not have been useful at all today.
Water Crossings
All easy rock hops.
Trails Used
Carter-Moriah trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Bare-booted first 2.5 miles, trail wet with intermittent snow/ice, which was avoidable. Hillsounds to the summit. Couple of inches of snow hid the majority of the terrain so ice and rocks were indistinguishable. Crampons for the last mile to the summit weren’t have been overkill. Having said that the hike’s major challenge was the spring snow balling up on the traction. Every couple of steps you would grow at least 2 to 3 inches in height from the amount of snow stuck to the traction, rending them useless on ice, not sure crampons would have fared better. Bluebird day with comfortable temperatures and no river crossings.
Parking
No other cars at lot.
Water Crossings
None
Wildlife
N/A
Trails Used
Carter-Morianh
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Dry trail for the first 1.5 miles. Patches of ice (flat monorail) for the next .5, easy to work around but a pain. After Mt. Surprise, the trail merited spikes with on again, off again ice patches, but we stubbornly pushed on until half way up the rock slabs. Tough call because too much ice not to wear them but not enough to avoid walking on the rocks at times. Fortunately the ice was just soft enough for some purchase; in most places you could walk right up it. Other places called for cleat grinding, tree slinging and/or bushwhacking. At about 3.5 the ice turned mostly to packed snow, with a few icy patches, which were more manageable than the previous ones. Remained as such all the way to the summit, (about a mile). Snow stayed consistent for the way down, ice soften a bit more or had dissipated in sections, but not much. A bit more slippery mud near the bottom than when we started (9am). It was a challenging day but very doable if you are good with icy conditions. I used microspikes the whole way, no poles. (Needed my hands for the tree hugging!)Overall a great day in the mountains. Not too cold, no wind, rain or snow. Just ice!
Parking
Parking lot empty upon arrival and departure. No snow at all.
Water Crossings
None
Wildlife
None yet
Trails Used
Carter-Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Shoulder season in full effect here. Mix of bare trail and thin ice in the first mile. Rock spikes would be good for this bit. Then coverage get a bit more consistent. A couple big black ice flows early in the 2nd mile, then show coverage gets more consistent. Packed trail from here, a bit softer high up, but not use for snowshoes.
Trails Used
Carter-Moriah Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
1-3” down low on a somewhat bony trail gave way to increasing depth and drifts as we ascended (possibly 5-7” of new snow)…ALL the ledges above and including Mt Suprise had solid ice underneath the new snow…we did bring K-10’s but were able to stay in our snowshoes, sliding tree to tree… use caution on this trail..enjoy!
Parking
Lot on Bangor St was in good shape
Water Crossings
No issues here
Trails Used
Carter-Moriah Trail, Stony Brook Trail
Trail Conditions
Equipment
Notes
Conditions were something today. Trace snow down low and didnt even put microspikes on until Surprise, but I definitely could have. Snow depths probably at most were around 4" of fluff, but that concealed unavoidable ice. I wish I would have had something like a K-10/hillsound pro/ or even my petzl lynx crampons. The microspikes didn't cut it and I think my downhill was arguably slower having to be very cautious about foot placement. The thaw/freeze cycle didn't do the trail any favors. The most reliable traction was had when I could find the monorail under the fresh snow.
Parking
No parking issues
Water Crossings
Some of the lower crossings on Stony Brook were flowing pretty good, but I was still able to pick and choose which rocks to use.