Slow as a kitten on Wildcat

[vegematic]

I headed out this afternoon with the most innocent of intentions. This spring I became the volunteer "Region Leader" for the Wildcat-Carter section of AMC trails which means I work with adopters and AMC to help look after the trails. As such, I need to hike the all the trails at least once every two years. So I thought I'd go do some region leadering on the Square Ledge and Lost Pond trails which are in my section. Went up Square Ledge first. This is a short and sweet trail that gets you to a really nice view with not too much trouble. The section just under and around the ledge is very gravelly and there were a couple dozen rock climbers there today so trying to find stable footing while not stepping on their ropes was a little more challenging. Had a great VFTT and a woman tried to pick me up for her son who, to her apparent dismay, also hikes solo. I finished my notes and made my way back down and took up the Lost Pond trail.

The Lost Pond trail is pretty flat and follows a nice-looking stream for about half the way and then runs close along the shore of its eponymous pond for roughly the other half. There are a couple boulders that jut out into the pond and are good for sunning. I soon arrived at the end of the trail where it meets the Wildcat Ridge about 0.1 mile from Rt 16.

I really thought that this is where I'd be turning around and heading back to my car but the strangest thing happened...I went left...and up...and up...

So I figured I'd just go to the first viewpoint and then turn around. It couldn't be too far considering how fast I was climbing and in fact, I was there pretty soon and it was a nice view. But, I thought, if it's this nice here, how much nicer will the next one be? And the one after that? The section above this first ledge was fairly committing...I could see that I would not want to come down them. I checked the WMG book and map (which I had with me), I'd heard all the stories about this section of trail, and I had plenty of snacks, water, etc so I continued up and decided I would take the ski trail down. T try and gauge my time I was on the lookout for a couple of landmarks that are mentioned in the WMG, specifically, a flat ledge with a southerly view and a rock with "Sarge's Crag" engraved on it, shortly followed by a signed path to the left for a spring. These would be at about the halfway point of my climb. An hour and a half later I *still* had not seen these features! Plenty of ledges from which I could look to the south, and plenty of little paths off to the left, but no engraved rock and no sign.

I was really getting concerned because...oh, did I mention that I *started* this climb at 3:40 in the afternoon? And it was now after 5:00 and I didn't think I was even halfway there. I was seriously considering trying to descend when I came to an opening that permitted a view to E peak. I could see that I was clearly more than halfway up...I must have missed the engraving and the sign even though I'd been watching for them. Relieved, I continued up and finally topped out at about 6:00. A hiker I talked to on my way up had suggested taking the most northerly ski trails down as they are the most gradual. I did and it took about 1 hour to descend to the base. Then it was just a 15-minute roadwalk back to Pinkham.

Normally I come in comfortably under book time but I took nearly 2 and a half hours going up this ridge and the book time was 2 hours even. Was a gorgeous afternoon, though. Sunny, windy, only a little hot. I'll try to post some pictures soon.

-vegematic

 

[carole]

Hi vegematic:
I did a similar loop last July and the best part was coming down the Polecat ski trail. The flowers and strawberries were fantastic. Nice report.

 

[HikerBob]

That is a fun scramble up to the ridge. I looked long and hard for the engraved sign but didn't find it either. Anyone ever find it?

Bob

 

[MichaelJ]

I never saw it last August when I did that trip, either.

Last year there was a hornet's nest in the ground right where you want to brace yourself on a steep part still a ways before the ledges; hopefully that isn't back this year.

Nice trip report! Those views "across the street" are hard to resist from the Wildcat ledges, indeed!

 

[vegematic]

Last year there was a hornet's nest in the ground right where you want to brace yourself on a steep part still a ways before the ledges; hopefully that isn't back this year.

I didn't see any hornet nests. I saw a small fragment of one on the ground where I was going to sit for a break but it was on a "walking" part of the trail. There were no bees there but I did opt to hike a bit further before taking a rest.

-veg

 

[TrekMan]

Wildcat Ridge Trail

Vege,

You hiked the exact same route as my son and I did last year for the 9/11 Flags on the 48 memorial hike. But book time of 2 hours? Really? I had to look in the book - 2 hrs 30 minutes if you count the lazy walk by lost pond (whew, I don't feel so bad!).

We headed out from Pinkham at 0830 and had our flag on the platform at 11:30. Each of us had maybe 30 pounds of so with the pole and water etc.

One more interesting note - we will celebrate birthdays 2 weeks from this Wednesday, but you were born just after I graduated high school. Anyway, happy early birthday.

-TrekMan