Lucky Laura
Active member
Set off up the Imp Trail Saturday morning, 11/5. Trail was in good shape other than some muddy spots down low and a spattering of ice and snow near its junction with North Carter Trail. North Carter Trail was snow coated and a little icy- found traction helpful up to Middle Carter. Up top, while it was overcast in most directions, there were clear views across to the Presidentials. Took off the spikes and strolled on to South Carter- most of the rocks were dry and there was little snow on the ridge. Atop South Carter, a nifty huge, elongated cloud suspended itself just below the Presidential summits but well above the valley. Looked like it was about two miles long from North to South.
Put the spikes back on nearing Zeta Pass, where there was much more snow in addition to the glazed bog bridges. On up to Carter Dome, where another hiker was awaiting the arrival of his friends from Carter Notch. Descent to the Notch was not too bad. The trail grew dryer down near the big rocky outlook. The Wildcat Ridge Trail was plenty icy from the Notch up to Wildcat A. For the last 200 yards or so the ice was surprisingly thick over the rocks. I shuddered at the thought of descending this even with traction. Saw many more hikers atop the ridge, which was not too difficult to maneuver across. Arriving at the ski area, I took the "easy way down"- the Lynx ski trails as opposed to the WCR trail. Around Middle Lynx, a mother bear with one cub at her heels emerged 50 yards in front of me from the woods on the right, just ambling along. They no sooner disappeared into some brush on the left when number 2 cub came frolicking along...followed by number 3. It was a nice ending to a good hike. Jumped on my two wheeler, which I'd left locked up in the parking lot, and rode all downhill to the "4 wheeler". Nice way to spend a grey November day.
Put the spikes back on nearing Zeta Pass, where there was much more snow in addition to the glazed bog bridges. On up to Carter Dome, where another hiker was awaiting the arrival of his friends from Carter Notch. Descent to the Notch was not too bad. The trail grew dryer down near the big rocky outlook. The Wildcat Ridge Trail was plenty icy from the Notch up to Wildcat A. For the last 200 yards or so the ice was surprisingly thick over the rocks. I shuddered at the thought of descending this even with traction. Saw many more hikers atop the ridge, which was not too difficult to maneuver across. Arriving at the ski area, I took the "easy way down"- the Lynx ski trails as opposed to the WCR trail. Around Middle Lynx, a mother bear with one cub at her heels emerged 50 yards in front of me from the woods on the right, just ambling along. They no sooner disappeared into some brush on the left when number 2 cub came frolicking along...followed by number 3. It was a nice ending to a good hike. Jumped on my two wheeler, which I'd left locked up in the parking lot, and rode all downhill to the "4 wheeler". Nice way to spend a grey November day.
