Wildcat Ridge Routes

[Keeper]

We're hiking the ridge to bag A & D tomorrow. It's not clear to me what the most convenient route would be. It should be dry in the morning and wet in the afternoon, so I planning on spotting a car at the 19MB trailhead then driving back to the Glen Ellis lot and going from there.

Is Pinkham a better choice to start?
How's the Ellis river crossing right now?
Is it better to go up a ski trail straight to D?
Am I missing something?

Thanks,

Shawn

 

[linehant]

Glen Ellis is probably better than Pinkham. You need a parking pass there, but it will save some time. Don't know about the river crossing, but wouldn't expect there to be problems.

Hiking up a ski run would probably be faster than the ridge trail, but it lacks the aesthetic of Wildcat Ridge. More a matter of preference?

 

[SAR-EMT40]

When I did A & D I used the Glen Ellis trailhead to go up and down and no problems with the crossing, but that wasn't recently. I did really like the hike though and would consider it much better than using the ski trail IMHO.

Keith

 

[Artex]

Ditto on Glen Ellis for parking. It hasn't rained in a few days, so the river should be fine. It has given me problems twice before, forcing me to turn around and change plans once (that was in April, during spring melt). The other time, I crossed it successfully but it was tricky. A father and his two kids weren't able to cross.

But again, I'd be willing to bet it'll be more than fine tomorrow. Have a good hike. That's one of my favorite trails in the Whites.

 

[frytz]

We're hiking the ridge to bag A & D tomorrow. It's not clear to me what the most convenient route would be. It should be dry in the morning and wet in the afternoon, so I planning on spotting a car at the 19MB trailhead then driving back to the Glen Ellis lot and going from there.

Is Pinkham a better choice to start?
How's the Ellis river crossing right now?
Thanks,

Shawn

The river crossing is so close to the parking area that, if it's to dicey, you could go back to Pinkham and restart from there!

Fred

 

[Keeper]

The river crossing is so close to the parking area that, if it's to dicey, you could go back to Pinkham and restart from there!

Fred

Good point. There's only four of us so that should work. Glen Ellis to 19MB it is.

 

[tycho_32]

When we did A and D for last years Flags on the 48 we used the Wildcat Ridge Trail to the top then used the ski trails down. It took us a lot less time to go down by using the ski trails. I dont think I would want to use them on the way up.

 

[Rols]

I would start at Ellis...the crossing last month (after some rain) was no big deal. It should be considerably easier now. I have also parked at Pinkham and taken Unknown Pond trail....it is an easy walk but adds distance to a long day.

If you can spot a car...my favorite way of doing the ridge is to take 19 Mile Brook trail out (when I did this I was solo and hoped to hitch back...landed walking the 3.5 miles). If you cannot spot a car park on Ellis and come back, I would take Wildcat Ridge trail back to the parking lot (I took this route in July and landed up enjoying it far more than I expected. There are some great views and you drop the elevation quickly. I have been told by some that have taken the ski trail it was quad burn and not too much fun. It be came a way down rather than a hike.

 

[Sadie]

Wildcat Ridge

I would suggest Pinkham Notch to Unknown Pond trail. I don't think the river crossing is a problem now, but I suggest Pinkham Notch so you can take the ski trails down at the end of the day with only a short walk back to the car. I agree that coming down the ski trails went alot faster & easier than going back down the Wildcat Ridge trail.
Enjoy the hike!!

 

[Sadie]

oops

I meant Lost Pond trail, not Unknown Pond trail, out of Pinkham