Wildcat Mountain (D Peak)

Trail: 19 Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, polecat ski trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular

“Started on 19 MB about 11:15. All trails are in great shape- packed. Timing was perfect as we arrived at the ski area at 3:45, so only waited 15 mins to descend on Polecat. Much lower winds than forecasted!”

Trail: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail

Conditions: Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular

“Out and back from 19 mile brook trailhead. Trail was super hard packed for fast pace, I had snowshoes from the car so didn’t change until I came back down off the ridge at the hut sign. From there and across ridge I’d def recommend snowshoes. Used microspikes back from that point and still hard packed. Light wind so only needed a base layer and light vest all day even on summits! Surprisily quiet as I didn’t see anyone until going back down not too far from the Carter/wildcat split”

Trail: Camp Dodge Cutoff, Imp Trail, North Carter Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, ski trails

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes

“The 3.1 miles from Wildcat to Camp Dodge is a long walk, but a 9 minute bike ride with very minimal pedalling. Locked bike to gate. Snowshoes all day for me...saw some snowshoe carriers who did some churning between N. Carter trail and Middle Carter, not sure if they were doing out/back, but from Middle Carter to Zeta was not churned and in good shape. The climb up to Mt. Hight is in good shape and worth it on a clear day like today. There is an insane amount of snow on Carter Dome...some of the drifts are 15' high I think and block the view of the Presis...and fortunately not on the trail which is well broken out. The steep climb down into the notch is not icy, and on the steepest sections I was able to down climb with relatively good grip on the snow with my snowshoe cleats. A combination of tree assists, sliding, and careful foot placement was used. WRT is in the best shape of all but still soft enough that snowshoes were the right call. Made it to the top of the ski area at 4:23...(can't hike down before 4pm). I always enjoy how the views of the Ravines on Washington change as you lose elevation.”