Carter Dome Loop via Bog Brook Trail

This route starts and ends at the Wildcat River Trailhead (Prospect Farm) in Jackson, New Hampshire, reaching Carter Dome first and returning over Mount Hight. From the trailhead, follow the Bog Brook Trail northwest along Bog Brook, turning left onto the Wild River Trail at around 0.4 miles, which climbs steadily to meet the Carter-Moriah Trail on the main ridge, roughly 3.8 miles from the start. At the Carter Notch Lodge area, turn right on the Carter-Moriah Trail to reach Carter Dome's wooded summit first. From Carter Dome, take the right onto Rainbow Trail, which descends along the ridge and is steepest Turn left onto the Wildcat River Trail and descend 3.3 miles, steepest in its final quarter mile, to a bridge at Forest Road 233; turn right and follow FR 233 for 1.3 miles back to the trailhead. Total distance runs approximately 18.6 miles with roughly 4,600 vertical feet of cumulative elevation gain — figures drawn from third-party trail-database trip logs rather than a single official trail page, since this route is a composite of several named trail segments rather than one maintained trail. Given its length and remoteness, most parties treat this as an overnight backpack rather than a day hike, though strong trail runners and very fit day hikers do complete it in a single long day.