19-Mile Brook Trailhead - Image 1
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19 Mile Brook Trailhead

4.8
·96 reviews·Gorham, United States

Gateway to challenging Carter Mountain hikes, featuring scenic brook trails and demanding ridgeline ascents.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early mornings

Beat the heat and crowds

CrowdLow
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19-Mile Brook Trailhead - Image 1

19 Mile Brook Trailhead

Best Time

Early mornings

Beat the heat and crowds

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Gateway to challenging Carter Mountain hikes, featuring scenic brook trails and demanding ridgeline ascents.

4.8
(96 reviews)

"This is a true test of endurance, offering challenging hikes with rewarding views."

Vertical photo
TIP

💧 Carry Plenty of Water

Bring at least 4L of water, especially on hot days, as exposed ridgelines offer little shade. :droplet:

🗺️ Map & Compass Essential

GPS apps can be unreliable; a physical map and compass are crucial for navigation on longer hikes. 🧭

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.8 · 96 reviews

Type

Hiking Area

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Carter Dome Summit

Carter Dome Summit

Carter Mountains

Conquer three 4,000-foot peaks on a challenging loop hike with rewarding, albeit exposed, ridgeline views.

Reddit
Carter Notch Hut

Carter Notch Hut

Carter Notch

An accessible and pleasant hike along a beautiful brook leads to this historic hut, offering a gentler experience.

Reddit
Mount Hight Viewpoint

Mount Hight Viewpoint

Carter Mountains

Don't miss the unbelievable panoramic views from Mount Hight, a highlight of the Carter Dome loop hike.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Prepare for a Challenging Trek

This trailhead leads to strenuous hikes, often exceeding 14 miles with significant elevation gain. Endurance is key. Be prepared for exposed ridgelines on hot days and bring ample water (4L recommended). Reddit

Trail Conditions & Navigation

Trails can be overgrown, requiring you to push through foliage, leading to scraped arms. While generally obvious, some hikers found GPS apps unreliable, so a physical map is advised. Reddit

Best Times

When
Early mornings
Why
Beat the heat and crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Thursdays
Why
Parking lot less full
Crowd
Medium
When
Cooler days
Why
Avoid heat stroke risk
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Hitching a Ride from Gorham to Pinkham Notch Visitor Center

Hey All, looking to hitch a ride from Gorham to Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. It’d be on a Monday morning around 8am and I’d be solo. Anyone have experience? You think I’ll have any luck? Looking to do the Wildcats, Carter, Moriah traverse. South to North. TIA!

💧 Carry Plenty of Water

Bring at least 4L of water, especially on hot days, as exposed ridgelines offer little shade. Reddit :droplet:

🗺️ Map & Compass Essential

GPS apps can be unreliable; a physical map and compass are crucial for navigation on longer hikes. Reddit 🧭

reddit.com

Car logistics for soloing the Wildcats-Carters-Moriah Traverse

I'm interested in soloing the Wildcats-Carters-Moriah Traverse. Any suggestions on how to handle car logistics? Is one end point better for this? Are taxis or shuttles in Gorham available? Just hitch-hike?

reddit.com

Mt. Moriah descent - Stony Brook or Carter-Moriah?

I'm looking to do a Carters-Moriah traverse on Saturday starting at Nineteen Mile Brook Trail and heading up through Carter Notch to the Carter-Moriah Trail. This means that Moriah is my last planned summit. I would like to take the most gentle descent (fewer steep sections…

☀️ Sun Protection Needed

The ridgeline sections are exposed. Pack sunscreen, hats, and sun-protective clothing. Reddit ☀️

💪 Be Prepared for Length

Hikes can be long (14+ miles) and demanding. This is a true test of endurance. Reddit 💪

reddit.com

The best Mount Moriah trail- Stony Brook vs. Carter Moriah?

Looking for comparisons between the Stony Brook Trail and Carter Moriah trail from those who have done both. Specifically which one is easier, which one has the best views along the way, which one has water for filter refills, etc.? I'm a seasoned 4k foot hiker, so I'm just…

Tips

from all over the internet

💧 Carry Plenty of Water

Bring at least 4L of water, especially on hot days, as exposed ridgelines offer little shade. Reddit :droplet:

🗺️ Map & Compass Essential

GPS apps can be unreliable; a physical map and compass are crucial for navigation on longer hikes. Reddit 🧭

☀️ Sun Protection Needed

The ridgeline sections are exposed. Pack sunscreen, hats, and sun-protective clothing. Reddit ☀️

💪 Be Prepared for Length

Hikes can be long (14+ miles) and demanding. This is a true test of endurance. Reddit 💪

🌿 Watch for Overgrowth

Trails can be overgrown; expect to push through foliage and potentially get scraped arms. Reddit :evergreen_tree:

What Travellers Say

4.8
(96 reviews)

Reviews Summary

This trailhead offers access to challenging, long-distance hikes, particularly the Carter Mountains loop, which is praised for its endurance test and rewarding summit views. However, hikers should be prepared for significant mileage, potential overgrowth, and the need for ample water and sun protection. The initial section along the brook is noted as a pleasant, easier start. Reddit

"I started at this trailhead to hike the Carter Mountains, i did a loop hike per my book. Carter Dome, middle and south mountains. Got there at 0800 sharp on a Thursday, parking lot just about full. Get x3 4,000 footer peaks in 1 hike. Book says it's moderate to hard. I'd say mostly hard. The elevation isn't too bad but the length is what makes it hard. This is a true test of endurance. I did this on a 90 degree day, any hotter than that and you will be at very high risk for heat stroke. I brought 4L of water and that was almost not enough. A large majority of the hike is literally on the top of all the ridgelines of all the peaks exposed to the sun for most of it, which seemingly goes on forever! I hiked for 7.5 hours moving time, only took about ~45 min total breaks, did about ~14 miles. Alltrails was an epic fail for this mountain, it never knew where I was for the whole entire hike, good thing I had my map and well written directions. Not many sashes but the trails are pretty obvious, alot of overgrowth though, at times you are squeezing through overgrowth, my arms are all scraped up. Bring at least 4L water, don't go when it's hot, sunblock and sun protection for the top. Be sure to swing by Mt hight, that view was unbelievable! This tested the limits of what I was capable of and at times I thought I may not be able to do it, it was hard. Be prepared, this is a one and done for me. Very short road walk back to car. Follow directions closely!!"

jessica desilets

"Nice, easy elevation trail to Carter Notch hut.

Nice hike along river for first mile, easy hike for first 2 miles."

Mark Nadow

"Lovely hike next to a gorgeous brook/small river with lots of rapids, and the accompanying sound of rushing water. Medium grade slope so some effort but not overly challenging.

Walk is mostly under the tree canopy, and you have to connect to upper more challenging trails to get to the mountain views."

Ed Ebinger

What People Like

Challenging endurance hikes
Beautiful brookside trail
Rewarding summit views

What People Dislike

Long mileage
Overgrown trails
Unreliable GPS

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The trailhead is accessible via a road, but follow directions closely as it can be tricky. Parking lots can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Reddit

Yes, there is a parking lot, but it can get full early, particularly on popular hiking days. Arrive early to secure a spot. Reddit

Specific directions should be followed carefully. Some users have noted that GPS can be unreliable in the area, so a physical map is recommended. Reddit

Public transport options are generally limited for trailheads in this region. It's best to plan for a private vehicle. Reddit

The road is generally passable, but it's advisable to check local conditions before your visit, especially after inclement weather. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

There are no tickets required for entry to the trailhead or the trails themselves. It's a public access area. Reddit

Typically, there are no entrance fees for this trailhead. However, always check for any posted notices regarding potential parking fees or permits. Reddit

The trailhead is generally accessible from dawn till dusk. There are no official operating hours, but it's best to hike during daylight. Reddit

No, parking spots are on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving early is the best strategy to guarantee a spot. Reddit

While camping might be permitted in designated backcountry areas, it's not typically allowed at the trailhead itself. Check with local ranger districts for specific regulations. Reddit

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

This trailhead offers access to challenging, long-distance hikes, including loops that summit multiple peaks like Carter Dome, Middle Carter, and South Carter. Reddit

While generally obvious, some sections may have less frequent blazes. Overgrowth can also obscure the path at times. Reddit

Hikes are generally considered moderate to hard, with significant length and elevation gain contributing to the difficulty. Reddit

Yes, peaks like Mount Hight offer unbelievable panoramic views. However, some summit views might be limited or mostly treed. Reddit

The first mile or two along the river can be pleasant and relatively easy, but most trails quickly become more challenging. Reddit

🎫 💧 Water & Facilities

There are no facilities providing potable water at the trailhead. You must carry all the water you need for your hike. Reddit

The brook itself offers a water source, but it's essential to have a reliable water filter or purification method if you plan to refill. Reddit

Restroom facilities are typically not available at this trailhead. Plan accordingly and use facilities before you arrive. Reddit

The trailhead primarily offers parking. There are no other amenities like visitor centers or picnic areas. Reddit

It's recommended to bring at least 4 liters of water per person, especially for longer, more strenuous hikes, and on hot days. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The brook itself offers beautiful shots with rapids and lush greenery. Summit views, particularly from Mount Hight, are also spectacular. Reddit

Yes, the initial part of the trail follows a gorgeous brook with rapids, providing excellent opportunities for nature photography. Reddit

A versatile lens for landscapes and potentially a wider aperture for forest shots would be beneficial. Consider a lightweight setup for challenging hikes. Reddit

While summit views can be stunning, attempting sunrise or sunset hikes requires careful planning due to trail difficulty and darkness. Mount Hight is a prime candidate. Reddit

The lower sections are often under tree canopy, offering dappled light. Ridges are fully exposed, so midday sun can be harsh. Reddit

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