Wildcat Mountain Traverse Plus a Perfect White Mountain Sampler
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BOOTPRINTS Volume 10 Issue 4 July 2006 were bad, since we started following a brook down below us. It’s when we stopped that we had problems with mosquitoes and black flies. They were a nuisance, but they weren’t overwhelming, especially if we put on bug repellent. Bryan Goodwin (aka, EB, Energizer Bunny or Energizer Bryan) was first to the top. It took him an hour and fifty minutes on a trail rated for 2 hours and fifty minutes. The rest of us followed up to the summit in drips and drabs. On the summit, even though we were told about its presence in the literature, there was an incredibly well maintained fire tower. It’s no longer used as a fire tower, since airplanes now spot forest fires. This is the only fire tower that exists in the Whites, and it was beauty. It was short and squat in Allison, Kathy, & Richard on the Wildcat Ridge Trail (Photo by Bob Morgan) design, not like the typical tall fire tower that we normally see. You could walk up some steep stairs A Perfect White for about 25 feet to a walkway that Wildcat Mountain went around the fire tower. Traverse Plus Mountain Sampler {Perfect Sampler – cont’ on page 2} By Richard Harris Moderate Hike By Dick Forrest he White Mountains Sampler is an opportunity to explore a new or the White Mountain sampler, Tfacet of the White Mountains. Sue and I led a trip up Mt. The past several years involved FKearsarge North. We had no explorations in the rain and other less idea what the hike was going to be like, pleasant conditions. This year was since we had never climbed the different. June 17, 2006 was a mountain before. The trailhead was gorgeous day for hiking, clear skies, no close to our motel in North Conway, a rain, and warm temperatures (maybe a mile and a half off of Route 16 on bit too warm). So, four of us (Alison Hurricane Mountain Rd. The mountain Cook, Kathleen Damon, Bob Morgan, was only 3268 feet in elevation, but it and I) set out to explore Wildcat had an elevation gain of 2600 feet. The Mountain and part of the Carter Ridge. trail to the top was 3.1 miles. April 2006 AMC 4K Awards Dinner Hiking the White Mountains, Eleven intrepid PVHC hikers decided – Club Members Laurie Mahoney, especially the 4,000 footers offers the to brave the climb. The climb didn’t Ann Marie Visconti and Wendy opportunity of gorgeous vistas and seem that steep, but most of the time we Mitchell were honored for completing views. The Wildcat Mountain Ridge and seemed to be ascending. The trail climbs of the summits of all 48 of the Carter Dome surely afforded us those started in forest, and closer to the top, Official peaks of the 4000 Footer Club opportunities. broke out into granite slabs, which were of the White Mountains. {Wildcat - continued on page 2} easier to walk on. Initially, the bugs Page 2 {Perfect Sampler–cont’ from page 1} The cool breeze in the shade on one side of the walkway was also welcome, since we were hot from the climb and from the heat of the sun. You could also walk into a large, windowed (on all four sides) room in the center of the fire tower. The 360-degree views were magnificent. You could really see where you were, and where North Conway is, in perspective to the surrounding area. We had lunch below in the shade of the fire tower, and thankfully, out of the sun. The black flies feasted on those who didn’t apply bug repellent. Again, a minor nuisance on a glorious day. Our hike down was uneventful, Allison Climbing the Rugged Wildcats (Photo by Bob Morgan) since we came back down the same trail we went up, except that {Wildcat - continued from page 1} the Carter Notch Hut near Wildcat A – Bryan scraped his knee, getting a We started out well, hit the trailhead our second 4,000 footer for the day. minor boo-boo from falling down at 7:00 as planned and proceeded along After over 6 hours of hiking, we on a surprisingly slippery section of Lost Pond Trail to begin the steep reached Carter Notch Hut at 1:30 with the granite slabs. With the ascent up Wildcat Ridge. The views the idea of a brief respite. We took a bit presence of the fire tower, this hike were spectacular and we earned them. longer to enjoy the time away from the is worth doing again and again. Bob led us around and over, the bugs and the heat of the trail. After Afterwards, we went for ice cream increasingly steep, longer, and higher nearly 50 minutes to refresh ourselves at the ice cream parlor, Lickety- ledges on the first 1.8 miles of Wildcat (and purchase the obligatory hats and Split. Al Goodhind would have Ridge. After each ledge, we would stop shirts, we proceeded up Carter Dome been proud of us. and take in the views (and tell ourselves Trial. While the ascent out of the Notch Thank you, Al, for suggesting “I am not going back that way!!”). As is steep, it was a bit refreshing from the this hike and getting us to lead it -- much as I dislike ladders, Wildcat Ridge Wildcat Ridge Trail. We had an it was a perfect White Mountain Trail taught me something to dislike opportunity to enjoy a beautiful view of Sampler moderate hike. even more – steep ledges without the Presidential Range. ~Dick Forrest ladders. Once past the last of the steep With some clouds moving in and ledges, we began the less strenuous feeling the stress of the Wildcat Ridge ridgeline hike. traverse, we decided to skip the Mt. Between Wildcat E and D, we Hight summit and hiked down Carter “If future generations encountered a number of people who Dome Trail. Even with two water are to remember us took a more leisurely approach to crossings, the 3-mile descent to the 19- with gratitude rather reaching the ridgeline – they were taking Mile Brook Trail was pleasant and well the ski gondolas – now, when those are appreciated. We hiked along 19-mile than contempt....we available, why do we insist on hiking up brook, which provided a beautiful setting must leave them a a steep, ledgy trail? After watching with for the final 1.9 miles to the trailhead. glimpse of the world as a little envy as these people We completed the 12.5 miles in 12.5 it was in the beginning, disembarked without any sweat and not hours, a bit longer than anticipated, but showing signs of scrambling over ledges another wonderful time in the White not just after we got and steep rocks, we proceeded to the Mountains. One conclusion, we hiked through with it.” first 4,000 footer of the day – Wildcat D. the Wildcat Ridge and have no need to This summit was distinguishable by the do it a second time. ~ Richard Harris President Lyndon B. Johnson, viewing platform and the gorgeous upon signing the Wilderness views of Mount Washington and the Gulf Act, 1964 of Slides We then began a series of ups and downs over what we learned were Wildcat C and B to a gorgeous vista of Carter Notch and our lunch time goal of Page 3 knew that the trails had huts where you year...they should film the entire could stay overnight. Zealand Hut is inside tour for posterity, I'd say...& The Clubs' quite nice. let people buy the film, over the 'White Mtn. Sampler' Some of us enjoyed some left-over years... pancakes for breakfast (although Gary Hikers got together for dinner ...'Twas Great!... was 'holding out' for his big lunch...) Friday and Saturday night. by Cindy Taylor & Gary Dolgoff.... As we headed back down the rocks, We dined at Flatbread Pizza, it got hotter but still comfortable. I was along with fellow 'Clubbies', both very year for the past several, tired but happy at the end. It was nice to evenings. The food, as well as our Al Goodhind (one of our see Al and Gary assisting a new hiker. I company, both nights- were truly E'founding members' of The believe this Club truly has a spirit of 'notches above', and the furthest Club, our first Club President, and a making new hikers feel welcome and thing from 'humdrum'...truly, the very likeable, 'good fellow'...) organizes safe. food there is very excellent...(and the yearly White Mtn. Weekend, Al is truly a compassionate and 'with- to top it off, Al procured those free sometime in mid-later June...each it' hike-leader...long may he lead!... pizza coupons for all of us at this participant gets a 'loaded packet' We proceeded to Mount Washington weekend...) ...loaded w/info on the area, info on the Hotel for lunch. The place is, in short, On Sunday, everyone went hikes...plus 'discounts galore', for area awesome...in size, scope (one of our their own way after breakfast. We outlets and eateries (including a free group even got a massage there!) went on two short hikes on the way meal for each participant at the ...plus the vast views of the mountain home (they were both very nice, wondrous and atmospheric Flatbreads range, when you are sitting in the back 'natch), which was the restaurant...). enjoying your well-earned lunch, as we Kankamagus Highway. This year, it was on the weekend of were...can't be beat!..