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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Wildcat A, Wildcat B, Wildcat C, Wildcat D, NH
Trails
Trails: Bog Brook Trail, Wildcat River Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Wildcat XC Ski Trail, Hall's Ledge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, May 28, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: New lot at the end of Carter Notch Road, I was the second car in, but the lot did fill during the day. Room for 6-8 cars depending on how you park. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Managed all crossings on Bog Brook Trail and Wildcat River Trail with dry boots. A few would be tricky at high water levels, one or two needed use of mossy/slimy rocks despite the current low water levels. The 3 on the Bog Brook Trail can be avoided by taking the gated road from the parking area until it intersects the Wildcat River Trail. That still leaves one or two potentially tricky ones. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails were all in good shape. I wasn't sure what to expect on the quiet Wildcat River Trail, but there were bog bridges in all the boggy areas, and no blowdowns run into on this hike that I recall. The XC ski trail is a bit muddy and soft in the upper half, but it isn't maintained for hiking use so that's not surprising. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: It was a really, really hot day. I saw several dogs along the ridge, they all seemed to be managing OK, but there is no water on the ridge so please make sure to bring plenty for your 4-legged friend(s)! 
Bugs
Bugs: Yes! Some mosquitoes down low, and the black flies were HORRIBLE up top. Particularly from D peak all the way down the ski trail until ~1/2 mile from the car. I am covered in bites, repellent of course merely slows them at best, I even dug out the head net! No breeze to keep them at bay. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: This loop has been on the to-do list for a while, and got put off thanks to injury back in the fall. I wasn't sure how the XC ski trail would be this time of the year, but snowflea's report from last weekend gave me hope. Despite the black flies chasing me all day, and it being really hot, I enjoyed the loop. Wildcat River Trail is a very nice approach to the hut, and is currently lined with Painted Trillium for most all of the lower half. The Hobblebush is also out and flowering too. Around 3100' I found some ice hiding in some deep crevices along the trail (none on the trail), which made for a very welcome refrigerator effect. The long-reported ice bulge in the col between C and D peaks is down to a 10' long stretch with rocks sticking up to hop on, so a total non-issue now, and ought to be gone soon. That is IT for the ice report, finally! The XC ski trail was easy to find from the top of the ski lift, and easy to follow for the most part. Just head downhill/slightly leftward in the birch glades down low, which lasted much shorter than I expected. You can keep taking lefts at the lower junctions to get back to Carter Notch Road in the shortest distance, but I took a right at the first one so I would catch more of the Hall's Ledge Trail for red-lining purposes. Hot and buggy, but surprisingly quiet on the trails for a holiday weekend, maybe 2 dozen people seen in all along the ridge, plus a handful at the hut. Only 2 others seen outside that. A nice hike to finally finish round 6.  
Name
Name: madmattd 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-05-30 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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