| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, North Carter, Mt. Moriah, Mt. Surprise, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ski trails, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 23, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I left my bicycle by the Moriah trailhead and parked in Lot C at Wildcat; I rode my bike back to my car at the end of my hike for a picnic. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nothing that couldn't be stepped across |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There were a handful of downed trees, but they'd all had their branches trimmed for easier stepping over/under |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
I hiked up the Wildcat ski trails in the dark before they opened; they'd turned off all snow guns and were done grooming the trails. I saw no one on my ascent and made it to the first summit by 7am. The descent off of the Wildcats were mostly frozen granular with a little ice here and there. There was frozen dirt around the lake and for the first bit of the climb up Carter Dome; the ice started going up Carter Dome and only intensified after that, with the most trecherous ice taking place around North Carter as expected. The descent down Moriah was very icy too.
I wore trail crampons with 2/3" spikes and I was very glad of them in the intensely icy conditions today. While light traction like 1/4" microspikes would work for other parts of the trail, I'd highly recommend more aggressive traction for the North Carter area. |
|
 | Name: |
Data |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-24 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/10426802762 |
|
|
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. |
|
