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4,610 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

Middle Carter Mountain

Middle Carter Mountain is a 4,610 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter Loop: 13 mi, 4,488 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Middle Carter Mountain in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Middle Carter Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation4,610 ft1,405 m
  • RouteCarter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter LoopClass 2
  • Distance13 mi4,488 ft gain
  • Time9 – 11 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire

Climbing the Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter Loop

From Route 16 north of Pinkham Notch, the Imp Trail or North Carter Trail connects to the Carter-Moriah Trail along the wooded Carter Range crest. Middle Carter is a viewless forested summit reached by rolling ridge walking with several stiff climbs. The trail is rooty and rocky, slick when wet, with limited water on the ridge. Ledges along the way give views west to the Presidentials. Start early for the long ridge traverse and carry water. Often combined with South Carter and Carter Dome in one day.

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

  • Slippery terrain
  • Insects

Quests with Middle Carter Mountain

Peaks near Middle Carter Mountain

  1. South Carter Mountain

    South Carter Mountain

    4,430 ft · 1.0 mi away

  2. Carter Dome

    Carter Dome

    4,832 ft · 2.5 mi away

  3. Mount Moriah

    Mount Moriah

    4,049 ft · 3.1 mi away

  4. Wildcat Mountain

    Wildcat Mountain

    4,422 ft · 3.5 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Middle Carter Mountain?

Middle Carter Mountain is 4,610 feet (1,405 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

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

At 4,610 feet, Middle Carter Mountain is the 17th highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike Middle Carter Mountain?

The Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter Loop is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 13 miles with 4,488 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Middle Carter Mountain?

Most people take 9 – 11 hours round trip on the Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter Loop, covering 13 miles with 4,488 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Middle Carter Mountain?

The Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter Loop needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 13 miles with 4,488 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 Middle Carter Mountain?

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 Middle Carter Mountain?

The Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter Loop starts at about 1,480 feet, roughly 3,130 feet below the summit.

Climb Middle Carter Mountain 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

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