| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ski trails, Wildcat Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, April 18, 2022 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Ski season is over, lots of room in ski lodge lot |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Couple of slight duck-unders on the ridge (once snow pack decreases, they may not exist). One blow down to straddle over. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Cooper and Piper had tons of fun. No issues for them on the soft snow covered trails. Luckily, no ice clumps gathered on their fur, as well. |
|
 | Bugs: |
none yet |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
N/A |
|
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|
 | Comments: |
Blue bird day, needed sunscreen. Barebooted up the left side ski slopes to summit sign at top of lift. Used Hillsounds to reach the platform at Wildcat D summit and for the remainder of the hike. Slopes with snow making are still covered, but those without were patchy to mostly dry w/occasional water flowing perpendicularly across (would not call these water crossings...). Some drifting from the last couple of days snow, maybe up to 6", but these sections could be avoided or easily managed.
On the Wildcat Ridge trail conditions were wet spring snow that clumped and balled to spikes. The depth of the fresh snow varied from 1" to drifts of 6/8". Snowshoes would have made travel difficult due to the excessive balling/clumping adding weight. Thankfully, the sticky snow provided much better traction than ice flows, which seemed to be lurking underneath. Plus the warmer temps softened things providing some additional grip in sections of potential ice. As expected, the descents between D to C, or C to D were the trickiest to manage. But, careful steps, and frequent anti-clumping measures to keep spikes snow ball free made passage 'easily' manageable.
Only other hikers on the trails were a father and son, who turned back at D due to the heavy clumping on their spikes that resulted in loss of traction. Multiple foot prints were observed on the trail at A coming from Carter Notch. With the predicted snow fall for tonight, this report may change completely. |
|
 | Name: |
CookiesOnTop & Goldrush |
|
 | E-Mail: |
schwarzmc at yahoo dot com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2022-04-18 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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