Outdoor Diversion: Wet Wildcats

Summit: Wildcat D (4,062'), Wildcat A (4,422')
Trail route: Polecat Ski Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail
Trail conditions: WET!!!
Weather: Cool and clammy, overcast
Total miles: 9.36
Total time: 6:11

There was torrential rain in the mountains yesterday causing flash flooding in some areas. I knew it would be a wet hike wherever I went but wanted to avoid any major water crossings. A hike to the Wildcats did not have any water crossings and I needed both summits for July. This would be an up and back hike from the Wildcat Ski Area.

My plan was to take the access road on the Polecat ski trail up to the summit in order to avoid hiking through wet vegetation. This was working well as it was very wet everywhere. I met an AT thru-hiker coming down the access road as I was going up. He had slept on the summit last night and was going into Gorham today.

The clouds appeared to be lifting and clearing over the Presidential summits. This was short-lived and I was soon up into the cloud cover as I reached the summit of Wildcat D. I had the summit to myself but there were no views and I continued on to Wildcat A.

The trail was very wet and required careful foot placement to keep from slipping especially on the steep ledge areas. I also got a good soaking from brushing up against tree branches and bushes. I met no other hikers on my way over to Wildcat A. I reached the summit and once again there were no views. This was not a big deal to me as I've seen the views from here many times.

This was my turn around point and after something to eat I was on my way back from whence I came. I met many hikers on their way to Wildcat A. I thought some of bushwhacking around Wildcat D following the 3,800 foot contour line. I started in but it became very wet and I decided to try this another time.

There were hikers on the Wildcat D observation tower but again no views and I kept going without stopping. It was not until I was on my way down the Polecat Trail that I dropped below the cloud cover. I checked the location on the 3,800 foot contour line of where I would've come out had I bushwhacked. It looked very doable so maybe the next hike to the Wildcats I'll add a short bushwhack adventure.

I saw no other hikers on the Polecat Trail. It's worth mentioning that the ski slopes were bursting with color from blooming wildflowers. When I reached the bottom I looked back up at the summit to find that the clouds were clearing and had lifted. The clouds were still hanging onto the Presidential summits.

I was glad to get out on the trail today even with the wet trail conditions. At least the temperature and lower humidity were within my tolerable range. Increased temperatures and high humidity are returning so this will definitely have an affect on my hiking decisions this weekend.

Enjoy the photos!