| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ski trails, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail, bushwhack |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 14, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Dropped a vehicle at 19MB around 7AM. Lot is plowed, maybe 8 cars there in the morning. More upon our return in the afternoon but not totally full.
Plenty of parking at Wildcat Ski area. We parked at lot C, the road is in decent shape with only a few potholes. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossing on Imp is an easy rock hop. You'll also probably have to hop across running water on lower Imp trail a few times. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I can't recall each blowdown, but there some on each trail and none were terribly obstructing. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Only crossed paths with one today. Looked to be having a good time. |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Snowshoes on at the start and stayed on until the last mile or so on Imp. Lower and middle Polecat have some bare spots and sections are roped off to downhill traffic, nicely groomed otherwise. Wildcat Ridge Trail still has a deep base of snow, it's choppy as expected this time of year but wasn't horribly postholed this morning. Cold temps last night made it supportive enough where a few crossed in just light traction. I was using small running snowshoes (Dions) and they were more than adequate, but descending the steep sections from A left me wanting some more aggressive traction, but Fudgy also slide a bit in her Lightning Ascents; it's pretty narrow and was greasy. I debated swapping to spikes just for the slide section but instead just took my time and picked my steps.
Heading up Carter Moriah there were only small sections of ice, which was soft, otherwise solid base and decent footing. Encountered first section of deep postholes north of Dome, they weren't consistent and we avoided them mostly. Side-hilling at it's finest until it flattens out again before the Zeta Pass. From there the trail was decent over South and Middle and down North Carter Trail. The wet sections on Imp can be avoided, and is practically snow-free at 2k feet.
These trails weren't overly busy today. Crossed paths with a handful of familiar hikers. |
|
 | Name: |
Kyle L & E.T. Fudge |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kjlanctot g mail |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-04-14 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/11183423438 |
|
|
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. |
|
