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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, NH
Trails
Trails: Polecat ski trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, May 16, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: With a lack of skiers at the lodge, there's as much parking as you could possibly want. No problem scoring the governor's spot!  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Spring Snow, Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The mountain is shedding snowmelt at a crazy pace, so technically, the drainages count as water crossings. But they're all utterly trivial.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Overall, it was fine. A couple branches in the way here and there, but nothing that would slow anyone down.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: None!  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: One orange Nalgene bottle. Owing to a lack of a typical trailhead sign/area where I'd normally have left it, it's in my possession at the moment for safe keeping. Drop me a note at hiker@proteanwanderer.com and we can figure out how you'll get it back in short order.  
 
Comments
Comments: Despite a lack of sun, it was a great day out. I was initially worried, due to having read a report that the monorail was basically falling apart. Thankfully, things were quite passable. I suspect overnight temps were chilly, because the trail felt pretty solid in all the important spots. Post holing wasn't an issue by any measure, and I didn't do much slip-sliding around at all. If you step smartly, the way going is actually quite decent, even if rudely imperfect. If this is on your grid list, I think it's a fair bet that the trail will hold together until at least through Sunday. Even if it's not, you can have a fine day on the trail, and that view into Carter Notch is epic.

I wore Hillsounds, but in retrospect, having some full bore crampons would have been nice for the added length -- downhills were occasionally slippery, and having extra penetration will make for more sure footing. Snowshoes would be overkill, and probably get in your way, with the monorail being barely wide enough for shoes and crampons. But otherwise, it was a fun day, and one that could very well be replicated throughout the weekend, as long as you take care with your footwork.

Photos and more verbose descriptions are on my blog.  
Name
Name: Protean Wanderer 
E-Mail
E-Mail: hiker@proteanwanderer.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-05-16 
Link
Link: https://www.proteanwanderer.com/2019/05/17/wildcat-d-a-spring-19-edition/ 
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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