NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, NH
Trails
Trails: Ski trails, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail, Camp Dodge trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, April 12, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes:  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Only one little one on Imp Trail - easy peasy. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The blowdown situation from Zeta Pass to just north of South Carter wasn't as bad as anticipated. Huge thanks to those who cleared a mostly passable route through this mess!! There are some blowdowns and leaners here and there on Wildcat Ridge, North Carter, and Imp Trails as well. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: One lone cluster fly going up Carter Dome.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: On Rt. 16 road walk, found a nice Manzilla glove to match the one I found on Tecumseh awhile back. :) 
 
Comments
Comments: Ascent of Polecat was lovely on a beautiful sunny morning with stunning views of Presies and the eastern ravines.

Wildcat Ridge was a winter wonderland, with a really nice snowshoe track (thanks Danielle and Billy) over a few new inches of fluff. We used snowshoes here as well. Descending Wildcat with the temps rising, the snow started to get very sticky. We barebooted from here on! Left some boot prints but very few postholes as the firm base held our weights pretty well. Crossing of "Hal's Slide" was a bit sketchy since the new snow was heavy, wet, and unpredictable. I did not like.

Ascent of Carter Dome was sloooow, but we were got decent purchase in the sticky snow so were able to bareboot it. Just before Zeta Pass we hit the first of the blowdown mess. It was impressive but really not as bad as I'd anticipated. Gratitude to the kind souls who cut a passable route through it.

We enjoyed watching the weather come in over the Presies with the sky getting progressively darker...

North Carter Trail is still filled in with a good snow base over the streamlet - there is none of the usual spring undermining slop... YET, but I think that will change this weekend. Imp Trail got progressively slushy as we descended. Lots of barebooter prints, including those of a bear, on Imp Loop. We did put snowshoes back on for the final mile or so as it made the footing more stable in the slush.

Gorgeous day and we saw no one all day!! Started to rain about 10 minutes after we finished. FP, who is not doing the grid, is now 47/48 for his April grid. :D  
Name
Name: Snowflea & Fancypants 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-04-13 
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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved