| 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 |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Good, new parking area at the Ellis Falls parking area. New bathrooms too. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Ellis River crossing very easy, low water on account of very dry conditions |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Well maintained, well marked trails. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
A couple of pups on the trail, happy tails! |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The Ellis River crossing was easy as the water is very low due to dry conditions. The trail almost immediately gets steep and unforgiving (50-70 % grades) with rock scrambles and staircases build into the rock faces in spots. Very little leveling off until you gain the ridge just short of Wildcat E, after that it’s up and down through the cold between E,D,C,B,A, the steepest being from C to B. Great views on the way up to E, and on the platform on D. Not much from the peaks themselves. Great view into Carter Notch from A, and the Grey Jays showed up for a snack. The whole ridge trail was dry, no mud anywhere. Not many hikers, a few NOBOs and day hikers.
Down to Carter Notch is a steep grade all the way to the 19 Mile Brook Trail junction. That trail is a steady steep grade pretty all the way. Joins up with the 19 mile brook about halfway to Rt.16. The 19 mile trail was mostly dry, but looks like it gets messy with any kind of normal precipitation. Great hike, really enjoyed the challenge. Actual vertical for the ridge (including the cols) is about 3200 feet. |
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 | Name: |
Lion Tamer |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-08-20 |
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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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