Carter Notch AMC Hut

Carter Notch Hut

Carter Notch Hut is one of eight backcountry huts managed by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) within the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. This hut is situated between the summits of Wildcat Mountain and Carter Dome and is adjacent to the Carter Lakes.

There are several different approach trails to this Hut. The most common (and easiest) route is via the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail from a parking area on the eastern side of NH-16. Take NH-16 north from the junction of US-302 and NH-16 in Bartlett.

The hut is open year-round and is a popular destination for snowshoers in the winter. It is possible but difficult to reach the hut by XC skiing when conditions are good.

Accomodations

According to the AMC's website (www.outdoors.org), the 2012 operating season is as follows:

2012: "Self Service" January 1 to May 28 & October 14 to December 31
2012: "Full Service" June 1 to October 13

"Self-Service" means that meals are not provided, but you may use their kitchen facilities to cook your own food. The hut provides mattresses and pillows during the self-service season, but you will need to bring an appropriately rated sleeping bag. I also recommend bringing a headlamp and earplugs.

"Full-Service" includes a full dinner and breakfast, and you are provided with a mattress, blankets and a pillow. Bring your own sleeping liner (recommended) or a very lightweight sleeping bag.

Water can be refilled at the hut (they have a well).

Carter Notch Hut sleeps 40 in two bunkhouses. Reservations are mandatory (except for A.T. thru-hikers). The Hut typically sells out well in advance for many summer & holiday weekends.

Check Availability (Reservations):
AMC Reservations

Access

Carter Notch Hut is the last AMC hut along the Appalachian Trail corridor in New Hampshire:

Note: Huts are listed in order from south to north as they lie on the A.T.
1st - Lonesome Lake Hut
2nd - Greenleaf Hut
3rd - Galehead Hut
4th - Zealand Falls Hut
5th - Mizpah Springs Hut
6th - Lakes of the Clouds Hut
7th - Madison Springs Hut
8th - Carter Notch Hut

The most common route to the Hut is via the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail via Valley Way (3.8 miles with 1,900ft of elevation gain).

Distances from the Hut to:
Wildcat Mountain (A Peak) - 1.0 miles with 1,150ft of elevation gain (via Nineteen Mile Brook Trail & Wildcat Ridge Trail)
Carter Dome - 1.3 miles with 1,550ft of elevation gain (via Nineteen Mile Brook Trail & Carter-Moriah Trail)
Mt. Hight - 2.1 miles with 1,700ft of elevation gain (via Nineteen Mile Brook Trail & Carter-Moriah Trail)
Wildcat Mountain (D Peak) - 3.2 miles with 1,700ft of elevation gain (via Nineteen Mile Brook Trail & Wildcat Ridge Trail)
South Carter Mountain - 3.5 miles with 2,250ft of elevation gain (via Nineteen Mile Brook Trail & Carter-Moriah Trail)
Middle Carter Mountain - 4.8 miles with 2,700ft of elevation gain (via Nineteen Mile Brook Trail & Carter-Moriah Trail)
Imp Campsite - 7.3 miles with 2,850ft of elevation gain (via Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail & Imp Campsite Spur)
Madison Spring Hut - 9.4 miles (via Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, a road-walk up NH 16 north, Great Gulf Trail & Osgood Trail)

External Links

Appalachian Mountain Club's Carter Notch Hut page
Mohammed Ellozy's Carter Notch Hut page
Winter Trails Information for Carter Notch Hut
Higher Summits Forecast

Images

View Carter Notch AMC Hut Image Gallery - 3 Images