Franconia Ridge

Franconia Ridge

Monday, May 3, 2021

Wildcat Traverse and Gridding Out Wildcat D


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: A variety of trail conditions, dry trail, wet, muddy, monorail, solid snowpack
Weather: Cool with a high cloud cover, toward the end of the hike there was snow flurries, sleet, mixed precipitation and light drizzle
Total miles: 9.1
Total time: 6:09

There were afternoon showers in the weather forecast but with an early start there should be time for a hike before getting too wet. I would be joining Guy for a Wildcat traverse starting at Nineteen Mile Brook Trail and ending at the Wildcat Ski Area parking lot. We would be crossing four summits, Wildcats A, B, C and D. Only A and D count for the 4,000 footer list.

We met at Wildcat parking lot and spotted Guy's car. It was a quick drive down to Nineteen Mile Brook trailhead. Since there was no snow visible anywhere we started the hike in bare boots. I was breaking in a new pair of Keen Summit County boots today. The trail was wet and muddy but nothing extreme. It wasn't until a mile past the Carter Dome Trail junction that a solid monorail started.

When we arrived at the Wildcat Ridge Trail we put on microspikes. This proved to be the right traction for the very steep climb to the summit of Wildcat A. There wasn't much change in the trail conditions all the way across the ridge, mostly solid snow with a few bare ledges along the way.

Not many hikers out today but we did see a few over on Wildcat D. After a brief stop at the summit observation tower on Wildcat D we started our descent, it was all downhill from here. This is where the precipitation started. Even though the temps were in the 40's there was light snow flurries coming down. This changed to sleet then mixed precip and finally light drizzle.

Down below the summit we removed the microspikes. There were some short stretches of snow with areas of running water and mud on the Polecat ski trail. At one point I stepped on a slippery ledge and went down hard but fortunately no injuries. Further down the mountain there was no more snow. At the bottom and back in the parking lot we had avoided any steady, heavy precipitation which was the reason for the early start. 

I was able to grid out Wildcat D today having now hiked this peak in every month of the year. I need to hike Wildcat A one more time. This past February I attempted to hike to that summit. I was breaking trail solo through deep snow and turned around. I then went over and hiked Carter Dome. So next February I will grid out Wildcat A.

I found the conditions, both weather and trail, to be better than expected today. My new boots performed well keeping my feet dry with no blisters or hotspots. It was a great day to be out in the mountains!

Enjoy the photos and videos!

Sunrise on the drive to the trailhead

The traverse starts here

Nineteen Mile Brook flowing slightly higher than normal

Always an easy water crossing when there's a nice bridge


Another easy water crossing

This bridge is collapsing

Monorail starts about one mile past the Carter Dome Trail junction

Easy rock hop across this water crossing

Snow on the trail is solid with no postholing

Crossing the slide on the Wildcat Ridge Trail


A view from the trail

No gray jays but this bird was waiting on the summit

On the summit of Wildcat A

Carter Dome

Ice is breaking up on the Carter Lakes

A look back at Wildcat A

Solid trail

Occasional bare spots

Unofficial summit sign on Wildcat C

Descending some ledges

A view of Wildcat D

Mount Washington and the ravines

An area of blowdowns

Guy passing between Larry's rock and a hard place

Last trail ice before the summit

Arriving at the summit observation tower on Wildcat D

View from the summit

Tuckerman Ravine

Rock outcrop in the middle of Tuckerman Ravine

Mount Washington summit

Mount Adams

Mount Madison

On the summit observation tower

A view to the east

View from the top of the Wildcat ski area

Descending the Polecat ski trail

Remaining snow

A mix of snow and bare trail on the way down

Dark cloud passing over delivering light precipitation

Snowing on Mount Washington

Out of the trail snow and back to bare ground

All brooks were flowing

Almost back down

Passing by the chairlift

Back at the base of the ski area

Looking back up the mountain

Geese reception

Crossing the bridge to the parking lot

Broke in new boots today and they were great!







Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!






 

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