| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat River Trail, Wild River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 15, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
no issue |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No Issues |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The three of us did a one night backpack hike into the Wild River Wilderness area. Was planning for two nights though cancelled the second night due to the weather forecast. Started at 7:45A and stopped at the AMC Carter Notch Hut at about 11 on the hike in. The two frozen ponds near the hut were picturesque. Spoke with the caretaker while we ate our lunch. She mentioned she had not seen anyone in the last few days. She also mentioned that tomorrow there were forty people who had reservations for the night. At 11:30 we continued on taking the Wildcat River trail which was the first time for us. The most snow on the ground was about 3". Eventually we got on the Wild River trail and followed it over to the camp site at No Ketchum Pond where we arrived at 2:30P. Just at the entrance to the camp site there was fair amount recent beaver activity which at first we thought someone had done trail maintenance. As you enter the campsite you can see where the old shelter once stood on the left and as you continued on there were about 4-5 designated tent locations in a open wooded area. After pitching our tents we grabbed some water from a very small brook at the entrance to the camp site. We settled on this water source after a quick look around could not locate a better source. I believe the main water source is the river farther down the trail or maybe the pond though did not want to search it out. We set up a camp tarp to provide some protection from a squall that came through with a sleet/snow mixture. We fired up our 2 stoves under the tarp, one a Whisperlite and the other a Pocket Rocket to boil our water for some hot cocoa and for our freeze dried meals. Eventually after enjoying our hot fluids and meals we turned in. It was a long night in the sleeping bags. Temps that night were in the low 20 degrees. In the morning we broke camp and by 5:45A we were on trail with headlamps heading back the same way we came in. On the Wild River trail at a brook crossing we came across some recent moose tracks that were not there the day prior. On the way down Nineteen Mile brook trail we saw our first person in almost 24 hrs. We must of passed about 35-40 people as we headed back to the trailhead. Got back to the trailhead at 11, changed up and headed to Lincoln to grab tasty burger and fries at a favorite establishment before the drive home. |
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 | Name: |
Jim S. |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-11-16 |
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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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