| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wildcat A, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 21, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Nineteen Mile Brook TH parking was plowed but full when I got there, so I drove on to the Great Gulf lot which was plowed and full of space. A few others did the same since cars parked on the side have been towed, and the plows were running. One person tried to fit in at the far corner and roadside and got stuck in the drainage ditch. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Anything big is bridged. But there is a steel cable forming a nice trip loop on one due to Irene damage. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A minor blowdown on Wildcat Ridge, easily stepped around going up but going down could be slid into. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The walk in from Great Gulf was okay as traffic was sparse and I had Pepper on a short lease, but on the walk back we got in just before the double plows team came barreling down the road. I was also worried about salt on the paws and increased risk of icing despite the vaseline, and both did occur but not too bad. There are still a few wet spots on the 19 Mile Brook trail where paws can get wet. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found an insulated water bottle missing a cap, and put it over a short broken tree stem between Carter Dome and Wildcat Ridge. |
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 | Comments: |
Nineteen Mile Brook trail is now hard well packed. Everybody in the lot must have hiked the Carters, and Carter Dome looked to be a sidewalk too.
Wildcat hadn't been used today, it had lots of new powder on it, in places Pepper was head deep. Fortunately we ran into Mike Bromberg and another nearly hip deep in snow at that point coming down from a D to A traverse. Shortly after that Pepper shot in front of me and stayed that way to the peak. They were in spikes but for this small section of Wildcat I think snowshoes with crampons are the choice for traction going up, and great fun going down in the powder. I wore them the whole hike.
A long drive following chains of cars in slippery conditions, and then a full lot at the trailhead, meant a late start and changed plans. We ran into Larisa and Tim who had turned back from their hike with Tobie, because he had an injured paw, although one wouldn't know it from his joy tearing around in the snow. Knowing how committed they are to Larisa's banner project, and how tough they are; it had to be disappointing but I'm thinking Tobie has a great life. |
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 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
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 | E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-01-21 |
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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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