| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wildcat E, Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Wildcat Ridge Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat River Trail, Bog Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, August 27, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Rocket21 dropped me off at the Glen Boulder/Ellis lot and watched me cross the river before parking up at the ski area. Nice guy, he picked me up at the Bog Brook lot on Carter Notch Road later too! :) |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Ellis River was manageable, all other crossings were good - Bog Brook was a little tricky with submerged and slippery rocks. Slipped off one and dunked my left foot halfway up my calf. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few duck unders remain on Wildcat Ridge Trail between D and B. We removed one or two along the way. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Los Gatos Locos!! Nice day for the kitties even without views.
As noted above, my better half helped me pull this adventure together by spotting me at the southern end of Wildcat Ridge Trail, and with the plan to meet up top of the ski area. I met seven northbound AT hikers on my way up, along with a few other day trippers. I imagined what the full views must be like on a clear day from the two ledges on the first set of steeps. Aside from plenty of mud to go around, this trail was in pretty good shape. The caves below and above the spring (flowing) were really cool! Getting past the ski area we found even more shoe sucking mud between D and B, the largest patches between C and B. Otherwise aside from a couple of duck unders, this stretch was standard White Mountain trail. This was also right about when I dreamed up the second half of the trip. Making the decision while resting on A, we agreed that it was a good idea.
We split up, and I continued down Wildcat Ridge Trail to Carter Notch. Things changed pretty drastically here...in a good way. The trail dried up, rocks weren't so slick, and I didn't get anymore mud on my legs for a while. I saw no one on this stretch, until I met several more northbounders coming from the hut to ascend Carter Dome. Stopped to check out the Ramparts, and continued on the Wildcat River Trail. With the steepest pitches of the day over, I took my time covering the remaining miles. Only saw two people along this stretch, and found the anticipated crossings straightforward. This is such a beautiful trail, and I really enjoyed it! Only found a couple of mud pits and submerged bog bridges that made you think. The last tenth of Wildcat River Trail is closed, leaving the only exit out to be Bog Brook Trail. My lazy hiking paid off, I only had to wait a few minutes before rocket21 showed up to get me! Yippee! |
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 | Name: |
bria |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-08-27 |
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 | 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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