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Carter Notch — Gaps 22.4 Miles WSW of Chapman Inn
Coos County, New Hampshire · USGS Carter Dome Quadrangle · GNIS 871634
Within Coos County, New Hampshire, on the USGS Carter Dome quadrangle, the mountain gap known as Carter Notch sits 22.4 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “mountain pass in New Hampshire, US”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Coos County, New Hampshire, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Carter Notch as a mountain gap on the Carter Dome topographic quadrangle (FIPS 33/007), under Feature ID 871634. Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Carter Notch sits at 44.26173° N, 71.19535° W (DMS 44°15′42″ N, 71°11′43″ W).
Other gaps in Coos County, New Hampshire
Coos County, NH contains 20 gaps catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Carter Notch itself. The ones closest to Carter Notch:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Zeta Pass | Carter Dome | 1.7 mi |
| Perkins Notch | Jackson | 2.3 mi |
| Pinkham Notch | Mount Washington | 2.9 mi |
| Moriah George | Wild River | 5.9 mi |
| Edmands Col | Mount Washington | 6.8 mi |
| Jefferson Notch | Mount Washington | 8.2 mi |
| Carlton Notch | Mount Crescent | 11 mi |
| Hunters Pass | Mount Crescent | 11.8 mi |
| Trident Pass | Berlin | 12.7 mi |
| Willard Notch | Jefferson | 17.3 mi |
Features on the USGS Carter Dome Quadrangle
The Carter Dome 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 30 catalogued natural features alongside Carter Notch. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcat Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Carter Dome | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Little Wildcat Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.3 mi |
| Mount Hight | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.6 mi |
| Zeta Pass | Gaps | Coos County, NH | 1.7 mi |
| Thompson Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 2 mi |
| Vals Ledge | Benches | Coos County, NH | 2.1 mi |
| South Carter Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 2.1 mi |
| Emerald Pool | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 2.2 mi |
| Nineteen Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 3.1 mi |
Historical record
Carter Notch is a high mountain pass through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It is traversed only by hiking trails. The notch is located in the Carter-Moriah Range within the White Mountain National Forest, in Bean's Purchase, Coos County, New Hampshire. It is bordered to the west by Wildcat Mountain, and to the east by Carter Dome. There are two small ponds in the notch, the Carter Lakes, as well as a large boulder field named The Ramparts. The ponds drain south through the talus barrier formed by The Ramparts. The height of land is to the north. To the north, the notch drains via Nineteenmile Brook, which flows into the Peabody River. Drainage to the south is into the Wildcat River, which flows into the Saco River. Extended history on Wikipedia →
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing WSW out of Bethel for 22.4 miles (west-southwest) and you reach Carter Notch; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 38 minutes.
Best time to visit
Late May through October; avoid black-fly peak in late May. Being this far north (lat 44.262°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 22.4 miles from the Inn, plan on a comfortable day trip with time for lunch on the road. Conditions at Carter Notch track the nearby Wildcat Mountain summit (0.4 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Carter Notch
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcat Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Carter Dome | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Little Wildcat Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.3 mi |
| Mount Hight | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.6 mi |
| Zeta Pass | Gaps | Coos County, NH | 1.7 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Carter Notch located?
Carter Notch is in Coos County, New Hampshire, approximately 22.4 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Carter Dome topographic quadrangle.
How far is Carter Notch from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 38 minutes, 22.4 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Carter Notch?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Carter Notch as a mountain gap, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 871634 on the Carter Dome quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Carter Notch?
Late May through October; avoid black-fly peak in late May.
How many other gaps are in Coos County, New Hampshire?
GNIS lists 19 other gaps in Coos County, New Hampshire.
Wikidata: Q5047201.