The Carter Ledge Trail earns its place on the Terrifying 25 for one reason above all others: a short but high-stakes scramble across a downward-sloping open ledge above a significant cliff. The move itself is brief, but lichen-covered rock, seeping water, and widely spaced handholds mean the margin for error shrinks fast. This section is typically treated as one-way; descending it is strongly discouraged because a fall would have serious consequences.
The trail runs roughly 3.1 miles from its start at White Ledge Campground in Albany to the summit area of Middle Sister, passing the Middle Sister Trail junction at mile 1.1 and the Nickerson Ledge Trail at mile 2.0 before the terrain sharpens toward the crux. From Middle Sister's open summit, Mount Chocorua is a short walk north along the ridge. The full Chocorua loop covers roughly 9.9 miles with around 3,300 feet of elevation gain and takes most parties 6 to 7 hours.
Wet or icy rock transforms the exposed ledge from challenging to genuinely dangerous. Even in dry conditions the surface can be slick from seepage, and crawling low while staying close to the rock is common practice. Late fall and winter ascents require microspikes or crampons and should not be undertaken lightly. Hikers who find the crux too unnerving can descend via the Middle Sister Trail to avoid reversing the exposed section.
