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Carter Dome, Wildcat A, Wildcat B, Wildcat C, Wildcat D
Green's Grant, NH, Pinkham's Grant, NH, Bean's Grant, NH
Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking down the Carter Moriah Trail on the way to Carter Dome
Route: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, (Carter Dome), Carter-Moriah Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, (Wildcat A), Wildcat Ridge Trail, (Wildcat B), Wildcat Ridge Trail, (Wildcat C), Wildcat Ridge Trail, (Wildcat D), Wildcat Ridge Trail, Upper Polecat, Middle Polecat, Lower Polecat
After two long days, it was time for something a little bit more relaxed. Carter Dome plus the Wildcats isn't exactly a walk in the park, however it was certainly less mileage.
While we booted Nineteen Mile Brook to the Carter Dome junction, there was fortunately enough snow that it could have been snowshoed. At that junction, we put on the snowshoes and continued up to Zeta Pass. Reaching the somewhat windy summit of Carter Dome, we had an excellent undercast view of the Presidentials, as well as some stunning scenery to the north as clouds moved in.
While the trail was nicely packed south of the summit, it quickly became challenging - lots of steep turns on the way down to Carter Notch.
I decided to continue on to the Wildcats, cleaning up the trail along the way - quite time consuming. While I had a brief glimpse toward the Evans Notch area, the views from the A peak summit ledge were limited by clouds. Continuing to B peak along the extremely grown in Wildcat Ridge Trail, I had slight views through the trees to the east - in the interest of time and winds, I decided not to venture out into the blowdown patch vista.
The views from C peak were decent as well - the Presidentials were in the clear. After dropping way down into the col, I made the final climb up to D peak. From here, it was a chilly walk down the Polecat ski trail, reaching the bottom just before sunset.
| Hike Ratings |
|
Getting To Trailhead: |
Easy |
| Destination: |
Carter Dome |
|
Length: |
Moderate |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Easy |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
| Destination: |
Wildcat A |
|
Length: |
Difficult |
|
Steepness: |
Very Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Moderate |
|
Views: |
Moderate (due to weather) |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
| Destination: |
Wildcat B |
|
Length: |
Difficult |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Moderate |
|
Views: |
Moderate |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
| Destination: |
Wildcat C |
|
Length: |
Difficult |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Moderate |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
| Destination: |
Wildcat D |
|
Length: |
Difficult |
|
Steepness: |
Difficult |
|
Navigation: |
Moderate |
|
Views: |
Excellent |
|
Crowds: |
Minimal |
|
| Hike Stats |
|
Date Hiked: |
Sunday, December 20, 2009 |
| Hike Commenced: |
7:08 AM |
| Parking Elevation: |
1,485' |
| Destination: |
Carter Dome |
| Ascent Commenced: |
7:08 AM |
| Summit Reached: |
10:09 AM |
| Time Elapsed: |
03:01 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
1,485' |
| Summit Elevation: |
4,832' |
| Vertical Gain: |
3,392' |
| Destination: |
Wildcat A |
| Ascent Commenced: |
10:15 AM |
| Summit Reached: |
12:48 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
02:33 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
4,832' |
| Summit Elevation: |
4,422' |
| Vertical Gain: |
1,204' |
| Destination: |
Wildcat B |
| Ascent Commenced: |
12:49 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
1:32 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:43 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
4,422' |
| Summit Elevation: |
4,305' |
| Vertical Gain: |
65' |
| Destination: |
Wildcat C |
| Ascent Commenced: |
1:32 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
1:57 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
00:25 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
4,305' |
| Summit Elevation: |
4,285' |
| Vertical Gain: |
182' |
| Destination: |
Wildcat D |
| Ascent Commenced: |
1:57 PM |
| Summit Reached: |
2:58 PM |
| Time Elapsed: |
01:01 |
| Trailhead Elevation: |
4,285' |
| Summit Elevation: |
4,062' |
| Vertical Gain: |
362' |
|
|
| Hike Ended: |
3:56 PM |
| Hike Time Elapsed: |
08:48 |
| Hike Vertical Gain: |
5,215' |
|
The Nineteen Mile Brook Trail trailhead off Route 16
Looking west at Mt. Washington and the Northern Presidentials from near the summit of Carter Dome
Wildcat Ridge Trail to Wildcat A
Looking into Carter Notch from the Wildcat A view ledge
Wildcat Ridge Trail to Wildcat B
South Baldface as seen from near the summit of Wildcat B
Wildcat Ridge Trail to Wildcat C
Mt. Adams as seen from near the summit of Wildcat C
Wildcat Ridge Trail to Wildcat D
Clouds overtaking the Sandwich Range as seen from near the summit of Wildcat D
Directions to trailhead: For Nineteen Mile Brook, take Route 16 North past the Mt. Washington Auto Road entrance. Shortly thereafter, the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail WMNF fee parking area and trailhead are on the right side of the road, immediately after the brook.
For the Polecat, take Route 16 North from Jackson to the Wildcat Ski Area entrance. The Polecat ski trail is located next to the summit quad/gondola base terminal.
Back to Carter Dome Profile
Back to Wildcat A Profile
Back to Wildcat B Profile
Back to Wildcat C Profile
Back to Wildcat D Profile
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