Summit: Wildcat D (4,062'), Wildcat A (4,422')
Trail route: Polecat Ski Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail
Trail conditions: Snow
Weather: Cool and sunny
Total miles: 9.36
Total time: 6:36
Yesterday's weather brought several inches of snow to the White Mountains summits. I would be joining Scott, Lisa and Jill for a hike across Wildcat Ridge Trail over Wildcats D, C, B and A. Wildcats D and A are the only ones that count for the 4,000 footers list.
I had a dilemma trying to figure out what I should bring for gear. So I broke out my winter pack and put in the gaiters, microspikes, different layers, rain gear (for dripping trees), gloves, warm hat...but the snowshoes stayed home.
This was an early start and we headed up the Polecat Ski Trail at Wildcat Ski Area just after 6:00 AM. It was still dark and we had our headlamps on as we began our ascent. As the sky brightened we kept looking back over to the Presidential summits watching for the sunrise to hit the peaks. We were rewarded with a spectacular aspenglow reflecting off the snowcapped high summits.
There was no snow at the base of the mountain but the higher we got the more snow we were hiking into. About a mile up the trail we stopped and put on our gaiters and microspikes. It was just in time as we were postholing through some knee-deep drifts.
We arrived at the top of the ski area to a large area of frozen water on the access road. It looked solid so I had to give it a test. I slowly walked out and was doing well until I got to the middle and broke through. It was a good warning for other hikers to go around this ice.
After a quick break for photos we did the short, steep climb to the summit observation tower on Wildcat D and enjoyed the views across Pinkham Notch to the Presidential summits. We then began the hike across Wildcat Ridge Trail with a number of PUDS (Pointless Ups and Downs) on the way to Wildcat A. There was almost a foot of snow in some areas and it was a beautiful winter scene through the woods.
We arrived at Wildcat A and were greeted by the resident gray jays. After a nice break for a snack and photos it was time for the return trip to Wildcat D and back down the Polecat Trail. I have to admit that the return trip seemed much easier as there seems to be more down than up.
As the temperature warmed up the trees started dripping and dropping the occasional snow bombs. I was glad for the early start this morning as we were back on the open ski trail before it got really wet from the melting snow above.
It was a pleasant hike down as the temperature was warming up nicely. This was a good preview to winter hiking but I'm hoping this snow melts before my next hike and any more snow will hold off for at least another month.
Enjoy the photos and videos!
Mount Washington just before sunrise
Lisa leads the way up the Polecat Ski Trail
Daylight arriving
Fog in the valley
Lisa and Scott pause to take in the views
Mount Adams and Mount Madison
Sunrise on the high summits
Watching the sunrise on the Presidential summits
Putting on the gaiters and microspikes
Postholing through a snowdrift
Scott and Lisa coming up the Polecat Ski Trail
Jill in the lead position
Still going up
Here comes the sun
Getting closer to the summit
Mount Adams
A view of Tuckerman Ravine and Mount Washington
Arriving at the top of the ski area
Jill chillin' at the picnic table
A view to the east
The short steep climb to Wildcat D
Mount Adams
View from the summit of Wildcat D
Zooming in to the summit of Mount Washington
Descending Wildcat D with more up ahead of us
Lots of snow
Scott squeezing through a tight spot
Sun and snow
Going over there
Going up again
View from the Wildcat Ridge Trail
Jill has a new friend
On Wildcat A
Carter Dome
Gray jay looking for food
View from the trail
Stealth summit sign on Wildcat C
Colored icicles
Mount Washington
Back on D
At the top of the ski area again
My posthole through the ice
Back at the bottom of Wildcat Ski Area
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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