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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Wildcat A, Wildcat B, Wildcat C, Wildcat D, NH
Trails
Trails: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Polecat ski trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, December 23, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: 19 Mile Br TH lot was almost full at 9:30am. Lot was totally iced over - a skating rink - probably the most treacherous part of the whole hike! 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Traction, Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The new non-bridge crossings on 19 Mile were easily rock hopped 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A few minor blowdowns on lower section of 19 Mile, easy to get around. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Didn't see any 
Bugs
Bugs: Didn't see any 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: n/a 
 
Comments
Comments: Expectations for trail conditions were very low after Saturday's rain/thaw, and were easily/pleasantly exceeded. Wore microspikes the whole day - had snowshoes but took them for the whole ride on the pack. If I had brought crampons (not left them in the car) I probably would have switched to them at the 19 Mile / WRT junction and kept them on all the way over/down to the WC Ski Area.

Conditions on 19 Mile Br Tr alternated wet/sloppy with some packed trench. Overall most of the trail had firmed up and was reasonably solid. Side of trail (off trail) was more easy to posthole. Good amount of postholes on the trail here but more care needed to be taken in sections where snow wasn't present and there was running water.

Once in the notch and on the Wildcat Ridge Tr, much better conditions. Hard packed on the ascent up to A, postholes fewer and farther between. Between A and D there were numerous deep postholes including full snowshoe holes - may have been from the past 1-2 days when temps were elevated and snow softer. But now, with the temps in the upper teens, snow was firmed up and so long as you were paying attention the holes were easy enough to avoid.

Some iced over sections / iceflows on the few scrambly sections between B-D, but again easy enough to navigate with care.

Polecat Tr (descent) unremarkable -- hard enough to hike down without any issue. Overall a really nice day to be out in the Wildcats.  
Name
Name: Eric H 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-12-23 
Link
Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BrwAVernUo6/ 
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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