Elevation gain: 3470'
Trails used: Nineteen Mile Brook, Wildcat Ridge (AT) Trail.
Kris had asked me several weeks ago if I wanted to hike with him on one of the days he had off (March 5-7th) so I gladly took the 6th off to accompany him. He wanted to do either the Wildcats or Carter's, which start from the same trail head initially but require a car spot to do a loop hike.
Wildcat Mountain is part of the Carter-Moriah Range and has five summits (A,B,C,D and E), of which only A (4422')and D (4062') are considered to be four thousand footers on the AMC Four Thousand Footer list. The Appalachian Trail runs over the summit of the Wildcats, into Carter Notch and then continues up Carter Dome and beyond, or vice versa.
Wildcat A and D are on the New Hampshire 4000 footer's list, the New England/New Hampshire 100 Highest/New Hampshire 200 Highest List, and the New Hampshire 3k List.
The hike for the day started at the 19 Mile Brook Trail Head. The pull out was plowed and there were a few cars there already. We left Kris' car at the Wildcat Ski Area parking lot and drove here to leave my car for the traverse.
As we head along the trail, Mount Madison and Adams start poking out through the trees.
Only 1.9 miles to go to the Carter Notch Hut. The AMC runs this hut year round; in winter, it is staffed with a caretaker but is open for people to stay.
Yet more views of Madison and Adams poking through the trees.
Some cool looking trees along the trail, right below the junction for the Wildcat Ridge Trail.
This is the junction for the Wildcat Ridge Trail. Going straight here leads you to the hut. Only 0.7 steep miles (about 1000 feet) to Wildcat A....
....which is way up there.
Part of an old slide that you have to cross which runs across the trail heading up.
Here is Kris ascending across the slide section.
Some looks through the trees of several peaks of the Carter Range.
Views! Just below the actual summit of Wildcat 'A' was a nice little viewpoint. Several mountains visible are South Baldface, Sable, Chandler, and Black. The long ridge is leading up towards Carter Dome.
Other mountains visible are the Doubleheads and Kearsarge North. You can also see more summits for Black Mountain.
Looking down into Carter Notch. The hut is visible from up here, as is Carter Lake. Also visible, a slide on the side of Carter Dome. A large boulder field called the Ramparts was formed from this slide.
Views looking across to Carter Dome (right) and South/Middle Carter (left).
Looking south along the Wildcat Ridge and Southern New Hampshire.
The Presidentials make a grand appearance with Mount Washington leading the charge.
This section of the trail from A to D was nice, although a bit bumpy. I had never been past Wildcat A to Wildcat D before or on this section of the trail.
More Presidential views goodness from the Wildcat Ridge Trail.
Northern Presidential peaks: Adams and Madison. You couldn't ask for a better winter day.
A zoom in (as far as I could get with my camera) of Tuckerman's Ravine, a nice glacial cirque. It is best known for its spring skiing, as well as hiking.
The views north from the Wildcat Ridge Trail.
Another view of Mt Washington. It stayed clear like this the whole day.
Looking over to Wildcat 'D', our final destination on this hike.
My ugly mug blocking the view of Mt. Washington from the tower on the summit of Wildcat 'D'. There are good views to be had from up here.
We donned snowshoes for the descent on the ski trails. We paid 10.00 beforehand to hike down them, which is requested by the ski area to use their trails for hiking. The ten dollars is worth it when you get awesome views like this.
Looking all the way back up towards Wildcat 'A', our first peak of the day.
Part of the Polecat Ski trail, which is the longest ski trail in New Hampshire.
Almost down! It was pretty busy for a Thursday on the ski trails.
It was a nice day out, and warmer than when we started. Funny too, because the lady at the ticket counter told Kris there was a "Frostbite Warning" for today. The views were good, especially from D peak and the ski trails. I liked the section from A to D, as I've never hiked on it before. While we had fun today, it is time for the snow to melt already!!!
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