Carter Dome
#9 of 48Difficult
4,832 ft | Carter | 1 route
24°F / Feels 9°F
23 mph NW
ConditionsDifficult
At the summit, Oct 17, 3:20 AM ETAs of October 16, 2026
Trail conditions on Carter Dome are currently rated Difficult. At 8:40 PM ET it was 47°F at the summit (4,832 ft), feeling like 37°F, with W winds at 20 mph. The listed route, Carter Dome via Nineteen-Mile Brook, is 9.8 miles round trip with 3,321 ft of elevation gain, taking about 5-8 hours. Carter Dome (4,832 ft) is #9 of 48 on the NH 48 list. See the hour-by-hour Carter Dome weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Routes
Trails that reach the summit
Rainbow Trail (2.2 mi) · Carter Dome Trail (2.8 mi) · Carter-Moriah Trail (12.5 mi)
Trail Map
Today's Conditions
Updated Oct 16, 8:40 PM ETCurrent Weather
47°F
Feels like 37°F
20 mph W · Gusts 37 mph
97% humidity
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.05" (24h) · 0.38" (48h)
Snow: 0.2" (24h) · 0.2" (48h)
AI Trail Conditions
Difficult
AI Synthesized
medium confidence
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
A cold front brings rain turning to snow and possible freezing rain overnight, with the freezing line dropping to trailhead elevations by late Saturday morning. Strong winds, upslope snow, low visibility, and slick, icy trails make Saturday a poor choice. Sunday offers a much better window as winds ease, skies clear, and temperatures climb above freezing.
Expect roughly a 20°F drop and sharply increasing wind from the trailhead (around 2,000 ft) to the summit, with the freezing line dropping to near trailhead level by late Saturday morning. Start in a breathable base and mid-layer, carry a insulated jacket and waterproof shell, and add layers and traction at the first sign of ice and wind as you approach treeline near 4,000 ft.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday, mid-morning through early afternoon, once winds ease, clouds break, and temperatures rise above freezing. Saturday is best avoided or reserved for experienced hikers with full winter-ready gear and a conservative turnaround plan.
Hazards
Rain changing to snow with a brief chance of freezing rain, creating slick rock, roots, and ice on trails
Snow and ice accumulation at all elevations by late Saturday morning, making footing treacherous
Strong winds near the summit (around 55 mph in the elevation profile) with wind chill near 18°F raising frostbite and hypothermia risk
Low visibility in clouds and upslope snow through Saturday
Rapid temperature swings from the 50s at the trailhead to near-freezing wind chill on the upper mountain
Limited above-treeline exposure near the summit, but the ridge approaches and open ledges will feel the full force of the westerly wind
Short daylight (about 11 hours) with a slow, cautious pace expected on icy terrain
Stream crossings may be higher after rain, then icy as temperatures fall
Recommended Gear
Microspikes or traction devices (essential Saturday)
Insulated waterproof jacket and rain shell
Warm hat, insulated gloves, and spare gloves
Insulating mid-layers (avoid cotton)
Waterproof boots with gaiters
Trekking poles
Headlamp with spare batteries
Goggles or glasses for wind-driven snow
Hand and toe warmers
Map and compass or offline GPS since views will be limited
Last synthesized Oct 16, 8:40 PM ET
Planning a hike here this week?
Trailblazer adds the full 7-day summit forecast, the best day to go for every peak, and conditions for each route up.
Recent Trail Reports
10Sep. 13, 2026by KenM
Trail: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Flags on the 48 on Carter Dome. Our team did the big loop over the summit with a side trip to Mt. Hight on the way, which was of course spectacular. Hadn't been up this way in 13 years and Hight reminded me of North Brother in Baxter State Park. Had the flag up shortly before noon. A steady stream of hikers came through before 2 pm when the flag came down. The descent into Carter Notch was as bananas as I remembered it -- super steep and rough. That is a crazy section of trail. Took a water refill break at the hut which was very busy before making the easy but long-feeling walk out. Despite the forecast for chilly weather and moderate winds, there was barely a breeze up top and the bright sun made it feel hot. Sounded like folks over on the Presidentials were bearing the brunt of the elements for us.”
Sep. 12, 2026by Heat Lightning
Trail: Camp Dodge Cutoff, Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, ski trails, NH Route 16
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Parked at Great gulf so I could actually have a semi-decent spot to set up and get ready for ripping up and across some ridges. There was also a Gorham 10k race starting outta this lot in addition to flags on the 48 and typical weekend 4k madness so simply leaving the lot, crossing the road and getting above camp dodge felt like the first monumental achievement of the day. Pretty basic slog up to the ridge then Middle carter was rather muddy, otherwise very dry, basic and straightforward cross the ridge and down to the hut. Amazing break and then another stiff climb up to Wildcat A and summit mudpits. Pretty dry from B summit over to the ski area and down Polecat. 48x11 on Carter Dome and month 11 gridout on Wildcat D. (OMG I'm gonna finish the grid next month!!!) Walked a couple miles of route 16 before getting a much enjoyed ride the last mile to my car”
Sep. 5, 2026by Chad
Trail: NH 16, Camp Dodge Cutoff, Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Carter Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, ski trails
Conditions: Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“What a day to hike in the clouds! If you have to get wet, it might as be about 60 degrees while you are. Trails are in mostly good shape but have gotten muddy in spots, particularly on Wildcat Ridge Trail. Go out with confidence, but be ready to get muddy. Also great to run into jeffb for the second day in a row, as well as seeing the most recent Trailwrights 72 completer Barry! A great day to see friendly faces. Fun note: Boston groups of 10 people, you don't need to tell others you're from Boston. We know.”
Planning a hike here? Add it to your hikes and, with Trailblazer, we'll email you new trail reports before you go.
Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
62 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 62 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
16°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 16°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
-6°F
Wind chill
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Get condition updates for Carter Dome
About Carter Dome
Highest peak in the Carter-Moriah Range. Carter Notch Hut is located nearby. Part of the scenic Carter Range traverse.
Elevation
4,832 ft
Range
Carter
Rank
#9 of 48
Difficulty
Difficult
Coordinates
44.2674, -71.1791
Nearby Peaks
Trip Reports
4.0 (1 trip report)
Pollyana A.
Jun 28, 2026
Hiked on June 27, 2026
With Dan. Wildcats were very hard but with very nice views. Carters sucked. The descent from north carter to moriah was wild! Nice views getting to moriah too. Last 2 miles wiped me out. 15.5h total
RockyMuddy