| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wildcat A, Wildcat B, Wildcat C, Wildcat D, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, ski trails, Thompson Falls Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 18, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Nineteen Mile Brook lot was full by 7:45. Plenty of room at ski area (relatively new signs saying no overnight camping). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock hoppable on upper Nineteen Mile Brook Trail. Thompson Falls Trail crossing was a little tricky (slippery rocks), but doable with care. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Cut out a couple of blowdowns on upper Nineteen Mile Brook and Wildcat Ridge above the notch. Additional blowdowns remain. Failed log on bridge above Carter Dome Trail junction. A few failed bog bridges on Wildcat Ridge Trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Snow line moved up dramatically from yesterday at noon to this morning; up from the Basin to the Old Man viewing in Franconia Notch. Snow remained through Twin Mountain, but Gorham was bare.
Nineteen Mile Brook was damp, but snow free until around the Carter Dome Trail junction this morning. About 2-3 inches deep by the time we reached Carter Notch this morning, with some areas of running water and wet rock.
Climb up Wildcat Ridge Trail saw snow quickly increase to 6-8" inches with some random black and blue ice mixed in. Ascending, we did not need traction this morning, as the temperatures were already warming things up. Too bony for snowshoes, particularly with the snow melting from underneath with the unfrozen ground.
Wildcat Ridge Trail was sloppy with snow raining off the trees and the trail turning into slush/mud/pooled water in places. Pretty busy morning on the ridge. A few unprepared hikers (including sneakers/cotton/shorts), but fortunately it was relatively warm. Winter boots were very helpful. A little tricky descending the Wildcat C steeps with slush/wet rock/black ice, but we are able to leave the spikes in the bag.
Ski area was well endowed with snow in places up high, particularly where trails traversed (knee deep). Snowshoes could have been used, but the deep stuff could also be avoided. Snow cover gradually tapered as we descended, with only a slight dusting around the lower 300 vertical feet or so.
Ski area remains closed (summer attractions never opened), but could be tricky for access this winter depending upon how Vail implements the uphill policy (reservations required for all downhill skiers; cloth masks required for admittance and throughout their resorts).
From the base, we went up the Thompson Falls Trail, which was slippery in places (particularly the ledgy areas), but snow/ice free. Falls were very impressive with the runoff.
Nice blue skies without too much wind. Very scenic this morning with the fresh snow and the late fall foliage down low. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-10-18 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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