.September 10, 2005
Snoopy and I followed Nineteen Mile Brook Trail for about an hour when we came to a fork in the trail. We headed to the left up the Carter-Dome trail and we would be returning on the trail to the right which was still the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail. The Carter-Dome trail was quite steep. We reached Zeta Pass. Time to head south for some new AT miles. I met a couple hikers coming down from Mount Hight. They told me to enjoy the sites. They were right. The very top of the mountain was above treeline, giving a complete 360 degree view. I had a great view of the Presidential Range.
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I headed up to Carter Dome. (Cross off another another 4,000 footer.) The summit is tree covered, but there was a spot or two where I could get a little bit of a view. The view from Mount Hight is much better even though it is not an official 4,000 footer. I began the steep climb down into Carter Notch. I could see Carter Lakes and the Carter Notch Hut far, far below.
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As I was descending I passed a hiker coming up. She looked at Snoopy and said, "You're a fast dog." and then ended "I'm just a slow human." But she looked like she was making good time considering the steep terrain. I continued down until I reached the hut.
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After leaving the hut I took my first AT fall. My foot got caught and I fell face first. Fortunately there were lots of sharp, pointy rocks to break my fall. This really knocked the wind out of me for a few minutes, but no serious injuries. Snoopy and I continued on to the Carter Lakes.
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I had plenty of daylight left so I made the steep climb up to the top of Wildcat Mountain. (Another 4,000 footer completed.) There is no sign marking the summit, but there is a sign that reads 'Vista.' I walked a few yards off the trail to a great view to the east. Once again I could look way down to the Carter Lakes and Hut. I then headed back down to the hut and then took the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail all the way back to the parking lot at Route 16.
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