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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Wildcat A, Wildcat B, Wildcat C, Wildcat D, NH
Trails
Trails: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, November 4, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: The Nineteen Mile Brook trailhead parking was full at 8:30AM. I parked on the shoulder of route 16. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The water crossings on the Nineteen Mile Brook trail above the junction with the Carter Dome Trail are more challenging than usual. Three tributary brooks are running high. There are low log bridges at these three crossings. Debris has accumulated on the upstream side of each of these log bridges. For the first and third log bridges the debris (gravel/rocks/logs) have partially intruded on the walkway but one can get by without too much difficulty. The second log bridge spans a dry brook channel as the debris acting as a dam has deflected the water flow around the log bridge. Hikers must now jump from rocks/ledge across a rapidly flowing diverted water channel to cross the brook. If the water level is higher than today it will make this crossing more difficult. Also, if the rock surfaces freeze up it will make the jump off and landing surfaces slippery. All that said, young hikers were managing the crossing today. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The Nineteen Mile Brook Trail has sustained a lot of water erosion damage in places. Not as bad as in tropical storm Irene but still eroded in many places. The tree falls across the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail were not difficult to get by at this time (straddle or walk overs). At the top of the notch the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail requires hikers to duck below a fallen tree to the right of the path. I cut off branches on a tree across the beginning of the Wildcat Ridge Trail for easier access. There were tree falls on the Wildcat Ridge Trail although not as bad as I feared. I cut branches in some spots to allow for easier passage. More branch cutting can still be made in places on the Wildcat Ridge Trail. Even better is chain saw or ax removal of the tree trunks across or leaning in to the trail. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: The dog I saw today was doing well. There is plenty of water on the trails today. 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: There was lots of water on the trails today. Some sections in the upper sections of the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail were like walking in a brook. Luckily there were plenty of rocks in the trail to keep the boots generally dry. The ice didn't begin until about 3,700 feet. Even so, there were plenty of surfaces free of ice to ensure secure footing without wearing traction. The iciest stretches of trail were the ledges on the Wildcat Ledge Trail on approach to Wildcat A summit.

The air was very clear today giving great views of the ravines on Mt Washington and Carter Notch. Plenty of hikers on the trails today. Some came up the ski trail while others came up from Pinkham Notch and Glen Ellis.  
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-11-04 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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