| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ski trails, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 24, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Dozens of vehicles lined both sides of Rte 16 as overflow to the limited size parking area for the 19 Mile Brook Trail. Plenty of parking space at Wildcat Ski Area, as apparently their zip line is no longer as popular as it once was. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All large streams on 19 Mile Brook Trail now nicely bridged. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Wildcat Ridge Trail between 19 Mile Brook Trail and Wildcat A is in great shape; super stone work, water bars cleared and working, and vegetation brushed back to AMC standards. However, between Wildcat B and a bump south of Wildcat C (about a mile) remains badly overgrown with vegetation. It appears that someone made a half-hearted effort to snip some branches near Wildcat C, but the person(s) snipped off just the ends of the branches, leaving pointed dead stems to poke hikers in the eye and worse. Other than the sections of Wildcat Ridge Trail between Wildcat A and Wildcat B, and between Wildcat D and the col with the bog bridges just to the north, which were brushed back nicely by vigilantes a few years ago, much of the Wildcat Ridge Trail remains a New Hampshire embarrassment for a key part of the Appalachian Trail. The relo's on the lower parts of the 19 Mile Brook Trail are still muddy after rainstorms; the new bridge about a mile up is a beauty, and just might survive the next tropical storm. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Surprisingly, did not see any. Very little running water on this route other than along 19 Mile Brook Trail. |
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 | Bugs: |
Surprisingly, very few; just a few deer flies on the ski trails, and a few straggler little black flies on Wildcat A. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
I accidentally left my old red trekking poles in the parking lot for the Gale River Trail late Saturday afternoon, July 23rd, so please leave for me to pick up at Steve Smith's Mountain Wanderer book and map store on Main Street in Lincoln, NH, if you are so inclined. There will be a $10 reward waiting for you, as the poles have much sentimental value. |
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 | Comments: |
Despite being overgrown for a long stretch between Wildcat B and the bump south of Wildcat C, the Wildcat Ridge Trail remains a favorite for me. Sunday afternoon was a perfect day for this hike, as the humidity and temperature were much lower following the passage of a major cold front the evening before. Trails were still considerably wet and muddy, but perfectly manageable. The tote road on the Wildcat Ski Area trails is loose and rocky in places where it has been regraded, but still provides great views of the Presi's across the street. The relo's and new bridge on the 19 Mile Brook Trail are a big improvement, although the relo's are still muddy after rainy periods. Felt good to complete my solo and second round grid peaks for the month of July on the Wildcats. |
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 | Name: |
HFKA Dr D |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-07-27 |
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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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