Middle and South Carter - Bushwhack Details

Easy parking right off Route 16. Don't forget to bring cash for parking.

Take the 19 mile Brook Trail 1.9 miles to the Carter Dome Trail

There are 2 bridges like this to cross

Caution - the narrow board is extremely slippery when wet

Simply steps hewn from a large section of pine log. Many thanks to all the AMC volunteers who maintain our beloved trails - this is where parking & membership fees go.

Take the Carter Dome Trail 1.9 miles to Zeta Pass/Carter-Moriah Trail.

Hang a left onto the Carter-Moriah Trail towards South Carter Mountain 0.8 miles off.

Don't forget your camera - a tripod is killer to bring to set up any panorama shots. This was taken on a Droid Bionic in Panorama mode while running the Everytrail Pro app.

South Carter Peak is pretty evident coming from the south it will be off the left hand side of the trail - just a step up onto a section of rock - there is no sign or post. There are limited views of surrounding peaks from South Carter. Hop back on the Carter-Moriah Trail for another 1.3 to Middle Carter.

The summit for Middle Carter just has a small cairn slightly off the trail but better views that South Carter.
Follow the Carter-Moriah Trail another 0.6 miles to the North Carter Trail.

Take the North Carter Trail 1.2 miles west to the Imp Trail.

This sign is actually labeled incorrectly. From this junction of North Carter the Imp Trail is bsaically a loop from route 16 and North Carter runs up to the Carter Moriah Trail and the Imp shelter is 2.5 miles from the junction of the North Carter/Carter-Moriah Trail - NOT 2.5 miles from this sign where North Carter Trail and Imp Trail meet.
At this sign take the Imp trail North and to the West and then it will gradually take you South West.

Follow the Imp Trail about 1.5 miles until the Bushwhack POI listed below.

About 1.5 miles down the Imp Trail, right around 2,100', head southwest and continue down to Cowboy Brook. You'll be able to hear the water pretty quick. Head straight for it, cross over and at this point if you have a map on you you will see some elevation off to the west. Keep to the east/left of that and make for the 19 Mile Brook Trail. The land levels out so as long as you keep the base of the Carters to your right and the slight elevation to your right then you'll come out pretty near a small pond and then back to the 19 Mile Brook Trail. Take a right on to the trail and the trailhead is just a few minutes down the trail.

Cowboy Brook crossing has many available easy crossing points from fallen trees to large minimally spaced rocks & boulders. Poles are still handy as the rocks and trees are slippery and demand caution.