Also on this trip

Trails Used

Camp Dodge Cutoff, South Imp Branch, North Carter Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Polecat, Road, NH Route 16

Trail Conditions

Notes

Parked at Great gulf so I could actually have a semi-decent spot to set up and get ready for ripping up and across some ridges. There was also a Gorham 10k race starting outta this lot in addition to flags on the 48 and typical weekend 4k madness so simply leaving the lot, crossing the road and getting above camp dodge felt like the first monumental achievement of the day. Pretty basic slog up to the ridge then Middle carter was rather muddy, otherwise very dry, basic and straightforward cross the ridge and down to the hut. Amazing break and then another stiff climb up to Wildcat A and summit mudpits. Pretty dry from B summit over to the ski area and down Polecat. 48x11 on Carter Dome and month 11 gridout on Wildcat D. (OMG I'm gonna finish the grid next month!!!) Walked a couple miles of route 16 before getting a much enjoyed ride the last mile to my car

Parking

All lots overflowing, Appalachia had cars a 1/2 mile in each direction in am and pm

Water Crossings

N/A

Wildlife

Annoying big flies on the Carters

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Ski trails, Wildcat Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

I knew it was supposed to rain until 9am but having done these in the rain before I was fine with that. I actually like the footing on the ski trails better when they are wet. The rain did provide better traction. The WRT was wet and muddy and stayed that way the whole morning. The rain didn't let up until I was back at D for the second time (OAB due to no car spot). With care the rocks were managed without any slips or falls. The muddy sections were super muddy. There are rocks and logs and limbs placed here and there to help you keep your feet dry but be sure to poke anything you think is a rock to be sure it is. That gray looking mud gets me everytime and there may have been hooting once or twice. It was so nice to see Heather and Rhynnie doing a Cats and Carters hike and I saw quite a few more hikers than I expected on a rainy socked in morning. It cleared up nicely and I had all the views heading back down the ski trails to my car, proving once again that the early bird only seems to get the spider webs. :P

Parking

The one and only car in the hiker lot for the ski area. Plenty of room!

Water Crossings

N/A

Wildlife

Back in Hell or so it seems.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Polecat Ski trails, Wildcat Ridge Trail, 19 Mile Brook Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Thanks to Steve and Joe for the very kind car spot so I could start at the ski trails and walk back to my car. The dampness and humidity was helpful in making the ski trails a little less gravelly and provided a bit more traction. It was lovely to bump into Lynda and Becky and walk up to the summit together. They headed back down and I continued on. The rocks on the WRT were sweaty from the humidity and there were more areas of mud than last month. Most of the mud was avoidable but it was not supportive if I walked through it. The descent from Wildcat A was tedious due to the wettish rocks. The hike out 19 Mile Brook was pleasant and I had the chance to talk to several NOBOS, one of whom I have been following on her YouTube channel since she started. That totally made my day! I saw many happy hikers on their way to the hut as well. Everyone seemed to really be enjoying the day!

Parking

There were a handful of cars parked at 19 Mile Brook trail at 6:10am. By the time I returned, the lot was full and cars were parked on the road.

Water Crossings

Nothing tricky at all today.

Wildlife

There were a few annoying gnats along the skil trails but I wasn't bothered anywhere else. No need for bug spray.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

NH route 16, Camp Dodge Cutoff, South Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, 19 Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Polecat, NH Route 16

Trail Conditions

Notes

Funsies post work loop to gridout July on Wildcat D and 48x10 on South Carter. Lotta rocks that were that lovely level of just wet damp and slimy to shuffle skate on steeps, but little risk of slippage. Many puddles in the flats around the ponds and on the ridges. First time on Hight in 8 years, and forgot how steep the north side of it is, tho views were spectacular. Bog bridges were all dry enough to avoid any infamous moments. Had a few up and close wildlife encounters on the night ride home post hike

Parking

Lot mostly full @4pm, mostly empty @1am

Water Crossings

All rock hops

Wildlife

Mothman was spotted on polecat

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Ski trails, Wildcat Ridge Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

This was a lovely day for an out and back to grab these. There is construction work going on at Wildcat so you have to walk a little farther before you start to cut up to the uphill access trails. There is signage indication what sections are employees only. The ski trail were super dry which always makes the footing more tedious. The WRT is in awesome shape. Much better footing and the rocky sections were all dry which made for faster going in both directions. I only saw a handful of hikers today but all seemed to be having a great day. It's always nice to finish a hike before lunch time!

Parking

I was the first hiker car in the lot at Wildcat. There were 3 others when I finished.

Water Crossings

N/A

Wildlife

I applied DEET at the parking lot as a preventative. I did use my bug net on the ski trails because the black flies were super obnoxious and were all in my personal space. They were not really much of a bother on the WRT though.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

19 Mile Brook, Wildcat Ridge Trails, ski area

Trail Conditions

Notes

19 Mile Brook Trail had some sloppy spots above the Carter Dome Trail intersection and a short segment on snow near the top, not bad. The Wildcat Ridge Trail to Wildcat A included white ice to be negotiated in the steeps at the top, all avoidable with care. There were a few tricky sections with white ice and intermittent monorails on the Wildcat Ridge Trail from A to D, particularly on the final ascent to D, but spikes wouldn't have helped. Ski slopes were generally dry and easy going. Cold, windy day for this fun hike with Chris and Renee. We chatted with Half-and-Half and William who are currently at the front of the 2026 AT NOBOs. Just a few red trillium and nothing else flowering on this route today.

Parking

Two cars parked at 19 Mile Brook Trailhead at 7:30. Several spaces available there at 2:30. Plenty of parking for the car spot at the ski area.

Water Crossings

Major crossings are bridged on this route.

Wildlife

Not a one.