Summits: Wildcat A Peak, B Peak, C Peak, Wildcat D Peak
Trail route: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Polecat Ski Trail
Trail conditions: Dry trail with sections of mud and wet ledges
Weather: Cool and dry with a high cloud cover and occasional sunshine
Total miles: 9.1
Total time: 6:00
A nice Fall day was in the forecast for today and I was anxious to get out there hiking in cool and dry air. I would be joining Larry for a hike along the Wildcat ridge that crosses over Wildcat A (4,422') and Wildcat D (4,062'). We would do a car spot at Wildcat Ski Area and start our hike at Nineteen Mile Brook Trail.
I met Larry at the ski area parking lot. I left my car and we drove down to the trailhead parking lot in his car. We were on the trail just after 7:30. It was a very pleasant hike up to the Wildcat Ridge Trail junction and we met several hikers that were on their way down from staying at the Carter Notch Hut last night. We took a short break before starting up the steep climb to Wildcat A.
We arrived at the summit and had it to ourselves. Another short break and we started across the Wildcat Ridge. This section of trail is known for its PUDS or Pointless Ups and Downs. We passed several hikers along the way. The Fall colors could be seen from various outlooks along the way.
We reached the Wildcat D observation tower to sounds of a dog growling, evidently he was welcoming us. There were several hikers on the tower and three dogs. We decided to eat our lunch before starting our hike down. There was a high cloud cover but with occasional sunshine on distant peaks. The Presidential summits were in full view and the tower was a great perch to see them from.
After a nice break we started our descent and it was all downhill from here. The gondola was operating but I only saw a few visitors coming up. Larry and I started our hike down the Polecat Ski Trail. This is a beginner trail but the longest ski trail on the mountain at 2.75 miles. Ski trails are not easy to walk on and this was no exception. There's a service road that had a lot of loose gravel and rocks, trenches and wet boggy areas. It was an interesting walk down.
We reached the bottom, walked under the moving gondolas and out to the car spot. It was a very nice hike across the Cats today and a great way to start the Fall hiking season!
Enjoy the photos and video!
Leaving a car at Wildcat Ski Area
The hike starts here at Nineteen Mile Brook Trail
Nineteen Mile Brook
Carter Dome trail junction
Brook crossing over a bridge
Crossing another bridge
Looking downstream
Not as many mushrooms as seen on previous recent hikes
Hobblebush leaves getting their Fall color
Stone steps
Wildcat Ridge Trail junction
Crossing the slide
Coming up the steep section of the Wildcat Ridge Trail to Wildcat A
Bent tree
Wildcat A summit cairn
Arriving at the outlook
A view from the outlook
Carter Lakes
Carter Notch Hut
At the Wildcat A outlook
Mount Kearsarge North
A look back at Wildcat A
Well-placed bog bridges
Boott Spur
An area of blowdowns
A view of the Mount Washington summit from the Wildcat Ridge Trail
Butt-sliding on ledge
Blowdowns but easy to walk under
Larry between a rock and a hard place...again
Zig-zag bog bridges
This dog wanted Larry's lunch
Gulf of Slides
Tuckerman Ravine
Huntington Ravine
Adams and Madison
Chocorua pointing up
Southeast view from Wildcat D
At the top of the ski trails
Asters
Black-eyed Susan
A look up at the Wildcat ridge
Anaphalis margaritacea or Pearly Everlasting
A patch of asters
On the Polecat Ski Trail
Adams and Madison
Lion Head
Down at the bottom
Looking up the gondola lift
The hike ends here at the bottom of Wildcat Ski Area
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors
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