State: New Hampshire
Location: White Mountains National Forest
Length, Round Trip: 6.6 miles
Trail Type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 1270 feet
Maximum Elevation: 3270 feet
Elevation Change: 2000 feet
Best Season: May to October
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Heavy
New Hampshire Streams dot the landscape
Trail Information
The Imp Trail starts off by paralleling Imp Brook through a woods of beautiful old hemlock. It then crosses the brook before ascending the ridges of Carter Mountain where it reaches the Imp Face. The trail reaches North Carter Trail at 3 miles then descends in a southwesterly direction to return to SR 16 just 0.3 miles south of the trailhead.
The Imp Trail makes a 6.6 mile loop to the east of New Hampshire Route 16 and north of Pinkham Notch. This trail can be hiked in several ways; as an up-and-back trip to an interesting viewpoint (4.4 miles round-trip with 1900 feet of elevation gain), a loop (6.6 miles with 2100 feet of elevation gain) or as an access to the Carter-Moriah Trail. The trail is moderately graded but travels over some rough terrain.
From the north trailhead, the Imp Trail starts climbing at a moderate grade and crosses a powerline soon after starting. After crossing Imp Brook after 0.7 miles, it ascends steadily, making a long traverse before turning right to regain the ridge. After a steady climb, it veers right to the top of a cliff with excellent views to the south and west. This is about 2.2 miles from the highway. The profile on the cliff face seen from Dolly Copp Road is called The Imp or Imp Face. The trail ascends for a short distance and then makes a sudden short descent to another viewpoint with lesser views but more exposure. The trail passes just south of the highpoint and makes a sidehill traverse with small changes in elevation and crosses several small brooks. At 3.1 miles, it makes a short descent to the junction with the North Carter Trail which leads to the Carter-Moriah Trail on the ridge.
The Imp Trail continues downhill briefly then heads on a sidehill generally descending and again crossing more brooks. At about 4.8 miles, the Imp Trail reaches a ridge above Cowboy Brook and then begins descending. The Imp Trail continues to turn right and the grade levels somewhat. At about 5.3 miles it crosses a grassy woods road which leads left 0.2 miles to the AMC Camp Dodge Volunteer Center. The trail crosses a minor ridge then turns right and downhill crossing several of the brooks that were previously crossed higher up. It ends at the south trailhead on New Hampshire Route 16 after 6.3 miles. Head right on the road for 0.3 miles back to the north trailhead.
Alternate Loops: Ascending South and Middle Carter via the Nineteen-Mile Brook and Carter Dome Trails and descend via the North Carter and Imp Trails is about 10.7 miles with about 3500 feet of elevation gain, but you are 1.3 miles from your starting point.
Ascending South and Middle Carter via the Nineteen-Mile Brook and Carter Dome Trails is about 11.4 miles with about 3600 feet of elevation gain, but you return to the same point.
To ascend Middle and South Carter via the North Carter and Imp Trails and return via the other leg of the Imp Trail is about 12.3 miles with about 4200 feet of elevation gain. You are only 0.3 miles from your starting point and about half of the return trip is new scenery.
Directions
From Gorham, NH:
Drive south on New Hampshire 16 approximately 5.5 miles to reach the trailhead on the left (east) side of the road. The parking area is plowed in winter.
From Interstate 93:
Take exit 35 off of Interstate 93 near Franconia Notch. Drive 13 miles north on US Route 3 to New Hampshire Route 115. Turn right on Route 115 and follow for about 10 miles to the end at US Route 2. Turn right on US Route 2 and drive 14.5 miles to Gorham town railroad station. Turn right on NH Route 16 and drive 5.5 miles to trailhead on the left (east) side of the road. The parking area is plowed in winter.
