Carter Notch Hut

For those of us in New Hampshire who truly cherish the rugged beauty of the White Mountains and embrace the challenge of backcountry exploration, the **Carter Notch Hut** offers a unique and unforgettable experience. This isn't your typical drive-up campground; it's a historic and iconic Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) hut, nestled deep in the wilderness of Bean's Purchase, accessible only by foot. It represents a quintessential New Hampshire outdoor adventure, providing a welcoming haven for hikers, backpackers, and anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the raw, untamed landscape of our beloved state.

Carter Notch Hut is part of the extensive AMC hut system, renowned for providing essential shelter and a sense of community to trekkers along the Appalachian Trail and other major routes in the White Mountain National Forest. Open year-round, it offers two distinct experiences: a "full-service season" from June through September, where guests enjoy staff-prepared meals and a lively atmosphere, and a "caretaker/self-service" season during the rest of the year, providing a more independent, rustic stay. As one enthusiast succinctly puts it, "Carter Notch is a hidden gem within AMC's iconic High Mountain Huts system in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest." This sentiment captures the special allure of this backcountry refuge, making it a must-experience destination for adventurous locals.

The hut itself is steeped in history, with the first structure at the site built in 1914, making it the third AMC hut ever established. It sleeps up to 40 guests in unheated bunkhouses, providing a true "off-the-grid" experience. While it's a place to rest and refuel, it's also a hub for exploration, with exceptional hiking and snowshoeing opportunities right outside its doors. For New Hampshire residents looking to deepen their connection with our state's wild places, test their hiking prowess, and enjoy the unique camaraderie of fellow outdoor enthusiasts, Carter Notch Hut offers an unparalleled opportunity to truly experience the heart of the White Mountains.

Carter Notch Hut is strategically located in **Bean's Purchase, NH 03846, USA**, placing it deep within the rugged and scenic White Mountain National Forest. What makes its location particularly unique is that it is only accessible by foot, adding to its allure as a true backcountry destination. This isn't a place you can drive to; it requires a hike in, making the arrival feel like a significant achievement.

The most common and direct route to the hut is via the **Nineteen Mile Brook Trail**. The trailhead for this moderate 3.8-mile hike is conveniently located on Route 16, approximately one mile north of the Mount Washington Auto Road. This makes it a relatively accessible starting point for hikers coming from various parts of New Hampshire and beyond. While the hike involves a gradual ascent for much of the way, with a steeper climb towards the notch, it is considered manageable for most hikers with appropriate gear and experience.

Other, more challenging access routes include the Wildcat Ridge Trail, a strenuous 5.1-mile approach over the Wildcat mountains, known for its steep and rough sections, and the Wildcat River Trail from the south. The hut's position within Carter Notch means it sits in a picturesque glacial valley between Wildcat Mountain and Carter Dome, offering stunning views and direct access to high-elevation trails. This geographical placement allows hikers to easily connect to peaks like Carter Dome and Mount Hight, which offer expansive views of the Presidentials. For New Hampshire locals, this foot-only accessibility means that a stay at Carter Notch Hut is not just about the lodging, but about the journey itself, a fundamental part of the White Mountains experience. It ensures that the surrounding environment remains pristine and largely untouched by vehicular traffic, preserving its wild character.

Carter Notch Hut, as an Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) hut, offers a range of specific services tailored to backcountry hikers and overnight guests, varying depending on the season.

• Bunkhouse Accommodations: The hut provides overnight lodging in two unheated bunkhouses with a total capacity of 40 guests. Individual rooms typically accommodate 4-6 people, offering bunks with mattresses. Reservations are strongly recommended due to popularity.
• Full-Service Season (June to Mid-September): During this peak summer period, overnight guests receive:
  • Prepared Meals: Dinner and breakfast are included with the stay, prepared and served by the hut staff ("croo"). Dietary restrictions can often be accommodated if notified in advance.
  • Bedding: Three wool blankets and one pillow with a pillowcase are provided on every bunk. (Bringing an extra pillowcase and sleeping bag is still recommended by AMC).
• Caretaker/Self-Service Season (Late September to Late May): For the remainder of the year, the hut operates with a caretaker on-site during specific hours (typically 4 pm-10 pm and 7 am-10 am). Overnight guests during this season are responsible for:
  • Self-Catering: Bringing their own food, preparing their own meals, and cleaning up afterward. The hut kitchen provides a stove, oven, cookware, dishes, and silverware, with assigned kitchen times for groups.
  • Basic Bunkhouse Access: Bunk access is provided, but guests should bring their own sleeping bags and extra warmth as bunkhouses are unheated.
• Water Refills: Potable water is available at the hut for all guests and day visitors, often collected and boiled from nearby lakes by caretakers during the self-service season.
• Daytime Access to Main Hut Building: Day visitors and overnight guests can use the main hut building as a common space to rest, chat with staff, and access water.
• Snack and Merchandise Sales: From 10 am to 5 pm, guests can purchase snacks, merchandise, and limited gear (cash encouraged).
• Trip Planning Assistance and Weather Updates: AMC hut staff live and work on-site, offering valuable assistance with trip planning, providing weather updates, and offering advice on trails. They also play a role in supporting search and rescue missions.
• Basic Restrooms: Outhouses or composting toilets are available; there are no showers.

These services collectively provide essential support and a unique communal experience for those embarking on multi-day treks or seeking a deep immersion in the White Mountain wilderness.

Carter Notch Hut, as a key component of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) hut system, offers several distinctive features and highlights that set it apart from traditional campgrounds, particularly appealing to New Hampshire's outdoor enthusiasts.

• Historic Backcountry Location: Established in 1914, it is one of the oldest AMC huts, offering a sense of history and tradition. Its location deep within Carter Notch, a glacial valley between Wildcat Mountain and Carter Dome, provides a truly remote and pristine wilderness experience, away from roads and urban noise.
• Scenic Surroundings and Natural Wonders: The hut is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. Highlights include the "Ramparts," a dramatic jumble of giant boulders, and the "Carter Ponds," small glacial ponds perfect for relaxation and cooling off. The opportunity to summit Carter Dome for expansive views of the notch and the northern Presidentials, or to hike to Mount Hight for incredible 360-degree vistas, are major draws.
• Year-Round Accessibility and Varied Experience: Unlike many seasonal campgrounds, Carter Notch Hut is open all year. This allows for diverse experiences, from the social, catered "full-service" season in summer to the more rugged, independent "self-service" season in winter, catering to different adventure preferences.
• Community and Camaraderie: The communal dining and bunkhouse setting fosters a unique sense of camaraderie among hikers. Guests can "chat with an AMC hut croo member or caretaker," share trail stories, and enjoy fellowship, creating a memorable social dimension to the wilderness experience.
• Professional Staff Support: During the full-service season, an on-site "croo" not only prepares meals but also provides invaluable assistance with trip planning, offers weather updates, and supports search and rescue efforts, enhancing safety and preparedness for all visitors. Caretakers are available during the self-service season for similar guidance.
• Off-the-Grid Simplicity: The hut embraces a true "off-the-grid" ethos with no Wi-Fi, limited cell reception, and no electrical outlets for charging devices (though small reading lights are provided at bunks in summer). This encourages guests to fully disconnect and immerse themselves in the natural environment.
• Strategic Trail Access: Situated directly on or very near major hiking routes, including the Appalachian Trail, the hut serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring the challenging Carter-Moriah Range and the Wildcat Ridge, making multi-day hut-to-hut treks feasible.

These features combine to offer a rigorous yet rewarding immersion in the White Mountain backcountry, creating a memorable experience for any New Hampshire outdoor enthusiast.

As an Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) hut, **Carter Notch Hut** operates on a reservation system with specific pricing and booking policies rather than traditional campground promotions or special offers. The "promotions" are more about the unique value proposition of the AMC hut system itself rather than discounted rates.

Key aspects of their reservation and pricing structure include:

• Varying Rates by Season and Membership: Rates for an overnight stay at Carter Notch Hut depend on the season (full-service vs. self-service) and whether you are an AMC member or a non-member. Full-service rates (June to mid-September) are higher as they include dinner and breakfast. Self-service rates (late September to late May) are lower, as guests provide their own food.
• Advance Reservations Required: Due to the popularity and limited capacity (40 guests), reservations are strongly recommended and often essential, especially during the full-service season. Bookings are made through the AMC Contact Service Center.
• Cancellation Policy: AMC has a cancellation policy that dictates refunds based on how far in advance a cancellation is made (e.g., full refund for cancellations more than 30 days prior, 70% refund for 14-30 days, forfeiture for less than 14 days). Exceptions may be made for emergencies and severe weather at AMC's discretion.
• Package Deals (Implied): While not "promotions" in the typical sense, the inclusion of meals during the full-service season can be seen as a value package, streamlining the backcountry experience by eliminating the need for guests to carry and prepare all their food.
• AMC Membership Benefits: Being an AMC member typically offers reduced rates for hut stays, providing a form of ongoing "special offer" for frequent visitors and supporters of AMC's conservation efforts.

For New Hampshire locals interested in staying at Carter Notch Hut, the best "promotion" is to plan ahead, check the AMC's official website for current rates and availability, and consider an AMC membership if you anticipate frequent visits to their extensive hut and lodge system. They do not typically offer coupon-style discounts.

To plan your adventure to **Carter Notch Hut** and secure your overnight stay in the White Mountains, here is the essential contact information:

• Address: Carter Notch Hut, Bean's Purchase, NH 03846, USA (Note: This is a wilderness address; access is by foot only.)
• Phone for Reservations: While Carter Notch Hut itself does not have a direct public phone line for reservations, all AMC hut bookings are managed through the Appalachian Mountain Club's central reservations system. The primary phone number for AMC reservations is typically: (603) 466-2727.

It is crucial for New Hampshire residents to understand that this is a backcountry facility. You cannot drive directly to the hut. The phone number provided connects you to the AMC's reservation services, where you can inquire about availability, rates, and any specific requirements for your stay. Given the popularity, especially during the summer full-service season, it is highly recommended to make reservations well in advance. Always consult the AMC website or call their reservations line for the most up-to-date information on booking procedures and hut conditions before embarking on your hike.

For New Hampshire locals, **Carter Notch Hut** stands out as an exceptionally suitable destination, offering a quintessential White Mountain experience that blends challenge, natural beauty, and a unique sense of community. Its accessibility purely by foot—primarily via the 3.8-mile Nineteen Mile Brook Trail—makes the journey an integral part of the adventure, allowing locals to truly earn their breathtaking views and sense of accomplishment. This inherent requirement for hiking ensures that visitors are genuinely connected to the natural landscape, a key draw for many Granite Staters.

The hut's dual-season operation, offering both a social "full-service" summer experience with prepared meals and a more independent "self-service" option in the colder months, caters to a wide range of local outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're a family looking for a memorable summer trek with the convenience of meals, or a seasoned winter hiker seeking a rugged, off-season challenge, Carter Notch Hut provides the appropriate setting. The opportunity to stay in a historic backcountry hut, interact with knowledgeable AMC staff ("croo"), and share stories with fellow hikers fosters a unique camaraderie that enriches the overall experience.

Moreover, the hut's location within Carter Notch itself, surrounded by the "Ramparts" and glacial ponds, offers immediate access to some of the White Mountains' most stunning geological features and challenging trails, including connections to the Appalachian Trail and ascents of Carter Dome and Mount Hight. For New Hampshire residents who pride themselves on their state's natural heritage and outdoor opportunities, a stay at Carter Notch Hut is more than just lodging; it's an immersion into the very heart of what makes our White Mountains truly special. It's a place to push limits, create lasting memories, and deepen one's appreciation for the unparalleled wilderness in our own backyard.

Carter Notch Hut

Bean's Purchase, NH 03846, USA