Into the Wild River Wilderness via The Black Angel Trail
Aug 20, 2026
During my time living near the western Whites, I developed a strong bond with the Pemigewasset Wilderness. In June, I moved to the eastern Whites, and with fresh eyes, it was time to venture into the Wild River Wilderness. I began up the Wildcat River Trail to Carter Notch Hut. It was quiet on the trail but the hut was busy with people packing up to leave for the day. After topping off my water at the hut, I continued on a personal favorite section of the Nineteen Mile Brook trail that meanders through the glacial tarns of Carter Notch.
The lower pond
On top of Carter Dome, I passed the remnants of the former fire tower; one of few that served as a primary lookout during the age of logging and wildfires in the Whites. I debated making the short out and back to Mt Hight for a good view of the Presidential Range, but instead decided to prioritize the Black Angel Trail.
A view of the Carter Notch glacial tarns from the top of the Ramparts
Before I continued, I stopped to read a notice from the Forest Service regarding the condition of the seldomly maintained trail. Feeling confident in my route finding and navigation skills, I proceeded into the Wild River Wilderness.
An adequate notice...
The next 4.7 miles were extremely slow going. Although I was headed downhill, I was up against countless piles of moose poop, blowdown after blowdown, unmarked fir waves, and a meandering river bed that looks a lot like a trail. Even at lower elevations, the trail was extremely overgrown but at least somewhat easily navigable. Eventually I stumbled out of the woods and onto the Wild River Trail, where I discovered a much flatter grade but no easier terrain to navigate. I’ll let the following picture do the talking.
Kudos if you can guess the model of shoe
Things did eventually get easier. I enjoyed long sections of bog boards that weaved through swamps, small river crossings and plenty of tall grass. Eventually I made it to No Ketchum Pond, the site where an unattended campfire burned a large majority of the valley in 1903. The newest of the White Mountain Wilderness areas, The Wild River Wilderness was designated in 2006, through the passage of the New England Wilderness Act.
Tall grass on the Wild River Trail
While the Wild River lacks the stands of old-growth forest found in some other wilderness areas, it more than makes up for it with its remoteness and rugged character. As much as I am fond of the Pemi Wilderness, the Wild River Wilderness caters a truly remote experience that feels increasingly rare in the White Mountains.