Carter Notch and the Wildcats

[truepatriot09]

So we're looking to bag the Wildcats this Sunday and we're thinking of doing a one way trek up 19 mile brook past the hut and over the Wildcats (leaving a car of course). Has anyone done the peaks this way? Any advice? Is this too ambitious?

Thanks guys,
-ct

 

[poison ivy]

I'm with skimom... if you're going to be on Wildcat Ridge Trail, you'll really want to be heading up it. It has a lot of ledgy areas, that I would assume are now very icy as well as some very steep spots. I wouldn't be very comfortable on the portion of Wildcat Ridge that runs below Peak E in winter, but that's just me. YMMV.

- Ivy

 

[spencer]

I did it southbound a couple years ago. I skinned up 19-mile, carried skis up from Carter Notch to Wildcat Ridge, and then skied down the Wildcat Valley Trail.

When I first went up to Wildcat from Carter Notch, I complained about the trail needing brushing out, too. However, after a little bit, I realized it's just because the snow was so deep. I didn't see many blazes either (the snow was above them).

Carrying skis on your back is not much fun on this trail. I got most of the snow from the trees down my back. I had a beater pair of skins with me and they kept failing, so I had to carry the boards.

Have fun!

spencer

 

[HikerBob]

Unless you plan on going down one of the ski trails I'd suggest heading the other way. As Ivy said there are some nasty (fun in the right conditions!) ledges on the way up from Rte 16 and I personally would not want to tackle these going down in icy conditions.

HERE is a shot of the most dangerous spot in my opinion. The 'trail' has been drilled out of the cliff face and is narrow, sloping and has a long drop off. A slip here could be a show stopper. HERE is another shot looking back.

Bob

 

[David Metsky]

Here are a few more shots of the Wildcat Ridge trail:
Pinned steps
More Steps
Steep Rock
Most folks who do this in winter come down the ski slopes. Some of them carry along a small sled for the purpose. They are rarely heard from again.

-dave-

 

[darren]

The vote from the audience lifeline gets it right again. The other direction is the way to go. You want to be going up the Wildcat Ridge trail, not down it. Going down from E in winter could be pretty sketchy. One other thing, you will not be going past the hut unless you choose to check it out. The Wildcat Ridge trail comes out on 19 mile brook trail below the hut. It's like a 1/4 mile to the hut so 1/2 mi extra RT if you want to check out the hut.

Have fun.

- darren

 

[el-bagr]

FWIW, I've traversed the Wildcat Ridge twice on skis -- once as Spencer did (up 19 Mile, across the ridge, down the Wildcat Valley) and once as Darren did (up Wildcat Ridge Trail, down 19 Mile). On skis, Spencer's way had better skiing but took more time. Darren's way was more challenging -- that segment from Wildcat A to Carter Notch was rather desperate, but the 19 Mile downhill is a lot of fun.

I haven't skied Polecat or any of the alpine trails at Wildcat in decades (middle school ski trip), but on a few mountains in Maine I've tried skiblades for use with Koflachs for post-hike ski-area descents. Jonatha, I don't know about you, but my tired legs had a tough time skiing in those loose-ankled boots -- Koflach Degres may be plastic boots, but they sure aren't ski boots!

As Darren said, the hut is a bit south of where you'd otherwise go on this tour; I didn't stop there on either Wildcat trip (but I did for Carter Dome).

 

[Jasonst]

Boilerplate

I just did this route last week (up from Carter notch, down the ski area) I am a little adventureous and bypassed polecat for one of the closed trails. Very icy and dangerous! Sliding out of control!! It was a quick way down though. I believe that most of the skiers though we were idiots for walking down with a pack

 

[truepatriot09]

Thanks for the advice everyone...either way, it'll be a fun trip...