I left the parking lot @ 8:30 on the nineteen mile brook trail and reached the junction of carter dome trail by 9:30. At this point I encountered snow. The weather was sunny and breezy with temps around 32 degrees. I proceeded with caution on the carter dome trail and reached zeta pass. I decided to skip zeta pass and go straight to carter dome and arrived there around 11:00. The summit was in the clouds with the trees frosted with an inch or two of snow on the trail. The weather was breezy and brisk. I continued on to descend to carter's hut with caution as the trail was somewhat slick. The clouds broke just as I was started the steep descent to the hut and got quite a view of wildcat mountain and the hut below. The trees were frosted over and the ground snow covered. The trail to hut was somewhat slick with snow but little ice. I arrived at the hut by 12:30. I then proceeded down the nineteen mile trail and arrived back at the trail junction of carter dome trail, t!

he snow was only spotty by then. I continued on the nineteen mile trail and arrived back at the parking lot by 2:30. I had only encountered two other persons ascending carted dome from the hut but meet several others climbing to the hut, some very lightly clothed giving the conditions. One of the best trips I've done, few people and great snow covered scenery. I can't recommend any trips to anyone, but with plenty of care and caution you can get the best of summer and winter hiking in a late fall trip. Take care.