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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