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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, NH
Trails
Trails: Wildcat Valley X-C Ski Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat River Trail, Bog Brook Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Rather nicely, on my way in, I passed a backhoe with a york rake, smoothing out the Class VI section on the far end of the road. You can't beat the timing. Hopefully it stays smooth for awhile.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Water crossings on the Wildcat River trail... well, it's the Wildcat *River* trail. They're swollen from the recent rains, and as I hear it, there's more weather coming this weekend. On the way up, the Wildcat Valley XC trail was mossy in the upper half, and moss loves to have wet feet. There's some stepping around wet spots in that fairly lengthy stretch.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The ski trail was actually in quite good shape -- props to the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation for their hard work. I did take care of a blow-down with my saw, but there's a couple others that could use tending in the upper reaches of the trail.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Out there, but not in huge quantities. For the most part, ignorable.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: This is where I think of a film starring Tom Hanks and John Belushi -- I found one red shoe on the trail. It's at the kiosk, waiting for its owner, in a plastic bag.  
 
Comments
Comments: This was a fun outing. The Wildcat Valley trail isn't in the AMC book, and it was certainly the magical part of the day. Follow the plastic blue diamond blazes, and where they run thin, your nose. It wasn't a hard trail, either hiking wise, nor navigation wise. Crossing the ridge was its usual self. The hut is shut... as in, plywood over all the doors and windows. If you're in a severe pinch, there's the awnings over the dormitories (which aren't insignificant) but that's about all you get. Beware.

Heading down Wildcat River trail, be sure to spend a moment to check out the Ramparts. Wow, they're very striking, and with the cliffs as the backdrop, you'll be glad you walked out the 50 or so feet off the trail.

The write-up is on my blog already, but the photos are taking a little more time. They should be up by Thursday night.  
Name
Name: Protean Wanderer 
E-Mail
E-Mail: hiker@proteanwanderer.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-10-15 
Link
Link: https://www.proteanwanderer.com/2020/10/15/trip-report-walking-on-the-wild-side-on-the-wildcats/ 
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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