| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wildcat A, Wildcat B, Wildcat C, Wildcat D, Wildcat E, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Route 16 |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, August 15, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Had to park in Pinkham Notch overflow lot at 11 a.m. on a Monday. 19-mile Brook trailhead lot on NH-16 was full at 11:30 a.m., still half-full (about 14 vehicles) at 6 p.m. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Ellis River at 5 p.m. Monday Aug. 15 at base of Wildcat Ridge was easily rock-hoppable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Blazing of Wildcat Ridge Trail on ledges is practically non-existent--could be dangerous especially coming down into Pinkham Notch (traveling westward, south on AT), especially at two points where you find yourself on ledges that seem to lead straight into the air over the highway far below (no need to walk to the edge, just turn right both times--left if going upward). |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any; ledges and scrambles on Wildcat Ridge Tr. make it unsuitable for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
To start this hike I biked down from Pinkham Notch visitor center parking to 19-Mile Brook trailhead, an easy ride of about 4 miles, almost all downhill. Don't do this if peakbagging, as you're supposed to do it all on foot. I finished with a short road walk on NH-16, avoiding the Lost Pond Trail which I remember from a year ago as muddy and eroded. There was minor dampness on both trails that I took, had no problems. But coming down the west end of Wildcat Ridge is slow and difficult, would be much more so in wet or icy conditions. A better bet even in good conditions might be to walk down the Polecat ski trail from the chairlift station, which I did a year ago. |
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 | Name: |
David Schulenberg |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-08-16 |
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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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