While perusing the New Brunswick tourist magazine at our last provincial park, I noticed a photo with an amazing summit view. After going back and forth we decided to drive there on Sunday afternoon and spend Monday morning hiking to the summit.

We just couldn’t pass it up.

Mount Carleton is kind of in the middle of nowhere. So much, that the campground only accepts cash for payment. We had a lazy Sunday afternoon and then woke up early and made it to the trail head by about 7:30 am to start hiking.

The summit trail is a loop – best hiked counter clockwise. The trail winds near a stream through some dense forest before ascending “Rocky Ridge” to the summit.

It was everything we hate about east coast trails – lots of roots, rocks, no switchbacks, and plenty of humidity to go around. Still worth it though!

“We took some time off last weekend to hike Mount Carleton – the highest point in the Maritimes. Totally an audible since we only found out about it a few days before but worth the effort!

The last few kilometers up rocky ridge and along the spine of the mountain were my favorite. The trails tops out at the old fire watchtower where we had a snack and then enjoyed the view of 10,000 trees.

Felt good to be on top of a mountain again.” – @currentlywandering

“ALL the trees. 🌲🌲 I’ve been thinking a lot about outdoor family adventure and what it really means to me and why we do it. Part is about the exercise, part about seeing new views and exploring. The biggest part though is the sense of mutual accomplishment. We did something hard. Together. It binds us as a family in ways that are hard to articulate.

I love getting home and feeling the good kind of tired.” – @currentlywandering

“Mount Carleton is the highest peak in the Maritimes, at 817 Meters above sea level. That’s 2680 feet, which is half the elevation of our home base in Driggs, ID but high enough to get quite a view. This isn’t the peak though, just a good spot for a view on the ridge approach.” – @telegramsam

Once we descended off the ridge (pretty steep again!) the trail flattened out into more of a wide ATV trail. There were plenty of small rocks but the going was easy and much faster than the way up.

We barely made it back to the Airstream in time to shower, grab lunch, and make it out just slightly after check out.

We tried to get into Kouchibouguac National Park after hiking Mount Carleton, but unfortunately the campground was full. After calling around we found space in a little commercial park in Bathurst, New Brunswick.

It wasn’t much to look at, but we managed to get the chores done so we could play later in the week!