Carter Notch Hut Overnight + Wildcat Ridge

Amazing trip! On Saturday we hiked in to the hut with light snow flurries. Elevations above the hut were blowing snow and socked in so after some lunch by the woodstove 2 of us spent the afternoon snow shoeing out the Wildcat River Trail in alternating sun and snow flurries while 1 of us alternated between napping and crocheting by the stove. 25 folks stayed overnight so it was cozy and crowded for dinner! We woke up Sunday to crystal clear and ice cold conditions. One of us hiked down to make it home in time for a hot date while 2 of us hiked up to Wildcat A and along the ridge to Wildcat D and the ski area. Wind gusts dropped as the day went on and we had sunny clear conditions with incredible views! Thanks guys for an amazing weekend in the beautiful winter mountains!

This is an opportunity to try out some winter backpacking without needing to carry a tent or stove! We will meet at the 19 mile brook trailhead and hike in the 3.8 miles to the hut. The trail gains about 2000 feet of elevation at a gradual but steady rate over the course of the 3.8 miles. We will be spending the night at the hut, which offers unheated bunkhouse accommodations that must be reserved ahead of time on their website for $64 a night ($54 for AMC members). They do not serve food in the winter but we will have access to their full kitchen in the common space, which is also heated by woodstove and very cozy. Depending on the weather and energy levels we will have the option to hang at the hut by the woodstove or drop our overnight gear and continue on to hike the Wildcats on the wildcat ridge trail (about 4 miles round trip out and back from the hut). Or, if the better weather for summiting wildcats is Sunday, we can do it in the morning before hiking out. The trail to the hut is usually well packed down, unless there was heavy snow the night before, but continuing on to Wildcat A and D may require snowshoes. Ascending Wildcat A is very steep, and much more strenuous than the hike into the hut. If conditions are too icy/treacherous, we will turn around.

*Note* Wildcat Ridge is an optional part of this trip! If you are only interested in the hike to the hut and the overnight, please join us. It is always ok to choose to hang by the woodstove and chat or read a book.

While we won't need tents, the bunk accommodations are unheated. You will need a winter rated sleeping bag and lots of warm layers, along with enough food for two days of hiking (dinner and sunday breakfast can be prepared in the hut's kitchen). There are matresses in the bunks but you may want to bring a sleeping pad for extra insulation. The hut has potable water. If you're new to overnights and want to try but aren't sure about what to bring, please reach out to me with any questions. The hut website also includes a packing list for overnight stays.

Please arrive by 8am. We will be leaving the parking lot at 8:15am. 

Please reserve a bunk ahead of time at the hut website: https://www.outdoors.org/destinations/new-hampshire/carter-notch-hut/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SRCH-NB-DSA&utm_content=648331093125&utm_term=&campaign=701Ht0000021JlHIAU&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19696787420&gbraid=0AAAAADsKo9duy7L88ykDIvP8EAnlzBqm9&gclid=CjwKCAiA64LLBhBhEiwA-Pxgu3u24rNEvwKORWFYpOedJkHHmpPvrK3msLyGDXyZPFissAkGxfqvhxoC0F4QAvD_BwE 

We will be hiking in winter conditions at a moderate pace. There will be ice and snow. MicroSpikes or Hillsounds Crampons are mandatory and we may need snowshoes if there is a recent snowstorm. If you don’t own a pair of snowshoes, you can always rent them from your local outdoor gear shop. Please have the appropriate gear/clothing to hike this time of year and the appropriate amount of layers to keep your core body warm. We recommend WINTER hiking boots, MicroSpikes, poles, wool hat, gloves, hand warmers, toe warmers, rain/wind/snow gear, warm layers, HEADLAMP and NO COTTON. Carry at least 2 liters of water, lunch and snacks.