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4,832 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

Carter Dome

Carter Dome is a 4,832 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the 19 Mile Brook Trail: 10 mi, 3,546 ft of gain, Class 2.

Carter Dome in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Carter Dome at a glance

  • Elevation4,832 ft1,472 m
  • Route19 Mile Brook TrailClass 2
  • Distance10 mi3,546 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire

Climbing the 19 Mile Brook Trail

From Route 16 north of Pinkham Notch, the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail leads to Carter Notch, then the Carter-Moriah Trail climbs steeply to the wooded summit. Carter Dome is the high point of the Carter Range, across Pinkham Notch from the Presidentials. The trail is well-graded low down but steep near the notch, with rock steps that get slick in wet weather. Views open from ledges near the top. Start early for the round trip and carry layers, since the ridge holds wind and cold. Often paired with Wildcat or Hight.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (20–30 L)
  • Water
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • Headlamp
  • Power Bank
  • Hiking Boots
  • Trekking Poles
  • Base Layer
  • Midlayer
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • Stream crossing
  • Slippery terrain
  • Insects

Quests with Carter Dome

Peaks near Carter Dome

  1. Wildcat Mountain

    Wildcat Mountain

    4,422 ft · 1.2 mi away

  2. South Carter Mountain

    South Carter Mountain

    4,430 ft · 1.6 mi away

  3. Wildcat D

    Wildcat D

    4,062 ft · 2.5 mi away

  4. Middle Carter Mountain

    Middle Carter Mountain

    4,610 ft · 2.5 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Carter Dome?

Carter Dome is 4,832 feet (1,472 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

How does Carter Dome rank among the New England 4,000ers?

At 4,832 feet, Carter Dome is the 10th highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike Carter Dome?

The 19 Mile Brook Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 10 miles with 3,546 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Carter Dome?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the 19 Mile Brook Trail, covering 10 miles with 3,546 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Carter Dome?

The 19 Mile Brook Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 10 miles with 3,546 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

When is the best time to hike Carter Dome?

The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

What is the trailhead elevation for Carter Dome?

The 19 Mile Brook Trail starts at about 1,490 feet, roughly 3,342 feet below the summit.

Climb Carter Dome with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list