Yak logoYAK
  1. …
  2. Yak
  3. Quests
  4. New England 4,000ers
  5. South Carter Mountain

4,430 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

South Carter Mountain

South Carter Mountain is a 4,430 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.

Plan this climbView New England 4,000ers
South Carter Mountain in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

South Carter Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation4,430 ft1,350 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 Nineteen Mile Brook and Carter-Moriah trails, or the Imp Trail, reach the wooded crest of the Carter Range. South Carter is a viewless forested summit along the rolling ridge, gained by steady climbing with several stiff pitches. The trail is rooty and rocky, slick when wet, with limited water once on the ridge. Start early for the long traverse and carry water. Almost always combined with Middle Carter and Carter Dome in a single long ridge 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 South Carter Mountain

Peaks near South Carter Mountain

  1. Middle Carter Mountain

    Middle Carter Mountain

    4,610 ft · 1.0 mi away

  2. Carter Dome

    Carter Dome

    4,832 ft · 1.6 mi away

  3. Wildcat Mountain

    Wildcat Mountain

    4,422 ft · 2.5 mi away

  4. Wildcat D

    Wildcat D

    4,062 ft · 3.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is South Carter Mountain?

South Carter Mountain is 4,430 feet (1,350 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

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

At 4,430 feet, South Carter Mountain is the 21st highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike South 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 South 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 South 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 South 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 South Carter Mountain?

The Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter Loop starts at about 1,480 feet, roughly 2,950 feet below the summit.

Climb South 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

App StoreGoogle Play