3,165 ft | Carter | 0 routes
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Imp Face are currently rated Difficult. At 3:20 AM ET it was 30°F at the summit (3,165 ft), feeling like 19°F, with NW winds at 16 mph. See the hour-by-hour Imp Face weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
Feels like 19°F
Recent Precipitation
Rain: 0.02" (24h) · 0.42" (48h)
Snow: 0.1" (24h) · 0.1" (48h)
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Saturday brings freezing temperatures, dense fog, and gusty NW winds with wind chills near 4°F at the summit, a hard-edged early-season mix on a peak with no above-treeline exposure. Trails are likely wet, rimed, and icy after recent light snow and 0.42 inches of precip over 48 hours, and daylight is limited to 11 hours. Sunday offers noticeably better conditions with lighter precipitation chances and milder temperatures.
Expect a drop of roughly 5 degrees from trailhead to summit, with the freezing level spanning much of the route, so ice may appear partway up. Start with moderate layers at the trailhead and add insulation and a windproof shell before reaching the upper, windier sections; summit wind chill is near 4°F.
Best Hiking Window
Sunday late morning through mid-afternoon offers the best window, with milder temperatures, minimal precipitation chance, and no fog forecast. If hiking Saturday, wait for later in the day for any warming and keep a conservative turnaround time.
Last synthesized Oct 17, 3:20 AM 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.
Trail: Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Carter Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
Trail: Imp Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Excellent morning to hike the Imp Loop. Was lacking a .9 section for the WMG. A huge thanks to the trail crew working on trail today! Trails looking great!”
Trail: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter Moriah Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky
“The weather today was *chefs kiss*. We didn’t use traction until almost 3 miles in. Loads of ice - snow shoes were overkill. We encountered an extremely aggressive grouse going up to Carter dome as an fyi. The ice going down north Carter trail to Imp was very thick for extended periods of the trail (traction definitely needed!). We did Imp face which was a delight! Adds a few miles and a lot more fun.”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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23°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 23°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
51 mph
Summit gusts
Waterproof shell
Daytime gusts near 51 mph above treeline, and a shell is what blocks it.
10h 52m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 5:56 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
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.
Rising from the Carter-Moriah Range in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire, this 3,165-foot summit is best known for the dramatic Imp Profile, a natural rock formation visible from Route 16 in the valley below. The peak is accessible via the Imp Trail, a moderate loop that winds through northern hardwood and spruce-fir forest before reaching open ledges with sweeping views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range to the west. While the summit itself is largely wooded, the exposed ledges just below offer some of the finest panoramic views in the region relative to the effort required. The moderate rating and manageable mileage make it an appealing objective for intermediate hikers. As part of the 52 With a View list, Imp Face rewards those seeking rewarding scenery without committing to the more demanding peaks of the surrounding range.
Elevation
3,165 ft
Range
Carter
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
44.3211, -71.1898
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
3.7 mi away