Wildcat Ridge Trail
To Wildcat Mountain (A Peak), Wildcat Mountain (D Peak) · New Hampshire
Wildcat Ridge Trail is a trail in the Carter, Wildcat and Baldface ranges, climbing about 2,900 ft from Glen Ellis Falls Parking (Route 16) to its upper end.
Map length
4.0 mi
Climb from the low end
2,923 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
3 h 29 min / 2 h 46 min
High point
4,384 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
3,129 ft/mi
Stream crossings
1 (1 ford)
Low point
1,947 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Wildcat Ridge Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Glen Ellis Falls Parking (Route 16) (the lower end) to Upper end.
- 0.0Glen Ellis Falls Parking (Route 16)
- 0.0Fords Ellis River: can be dangerous in high water
- 0.1Junction with Lost Pond Trail
- 1.5Wildcat E
- 1.7Junction with Wildcat Valley Trail
- 1.8Wildcat Mountain (D Peak)
- 2.7Wildcat C
- 3.1Wildcat B
- 3.4Wildcat Mountain (A Peak)
- 4.0Carter Notch
- 4.0Upper end
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Lost Pond Trail junction
0.11 mi (total 0.11) · ↑38 ↓3 ft · 4 min / 4 min
To Wildcat E
1.42 mi (total 1.53) · ↑2,049 ↓18 ft · 1 h 44 min / 43 min
To Wildcat Mountain (D Peak)
0.23 mi (total 1.76) · ↑59 ↓57 ft · 8 min / 8 min
To Wildcat C
0.91 mi (total 2.67) · ↑498 ↓289 ft · 42 min / 36 min
To Wildcat B
0.43 mi (total 3.10) · ↑138 ↓90 ft · 17 min / 16 min
To Wildcat Mountain (A Peak)
0.31 mi (total 3.41) · ↑134 ↓30 ft · 13 min / 10 min
To Upper end
0.62 mi (total 4.03) · ↑0 ↓1,003 ft · 19 min / 49 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glen Ellis Falls Parking (Route 16) | Lost Pond Trail junction | 0.11 | 0.11 | 38 / 3 ft | 4 min / 4 min |
| Lost Pond Trail junction | Wildcat E | 1.42 | 1.53 | 2,049 / 18 ft | 1 h 44 min / 43 min |
| Wildcat E | Wildcat Mountain (D Peak) | 0.23 | 1.76 | 59 / 57 ft | 8 min / 8 min |
| Wildcat Mountain (D Peak) | Wildcat C | 0.91 | 2.67 | 498 / 289 ft | 42 min / 36 min |
| Wildcat C | Wildcat B | 0.43 | 3.10 | 138 / 90 ft | 17 min / 16 min |
| Wildcat B | Wildcat Mountain (A Peak) | 0.31 | 3.41 | 134 / 30 ft | 13 min / 10 min |
| Wildcat Mountain (A Peak) | Upper end | 0.62 | 4.03 | 0 / 1,003 ft | 19 min / 49 min |
↑ walking from Glen Ellis Falls Parking (Route 16); ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Glen Ellis Falls Parking (Route 16)
Parking fee
Fall weekends: Full in 1 of 2 reports, as early as 4 pm; others found space as late as 5:30 am.
Weekdays (all seasons): Had space in all 7 reports.
Latest report, Sat, Oct 3: Nearly empty at 5:30 am, then overflowing at 4 pm.
Summit conditions
Today's conditions report1 incident recorded on this trail: incident database
Recent trip reports
3 reports on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 3. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Sun, Oct 4MudDry
Water crossings: All water crossings on 19 mile brook trail were either bridged or rockhoppable.
Full report on NETC - Sun, Oct 4MudLeavesDry
Water crossings: All hops or bridged
Full report on NETC - Sat, Sep 12MudDry
Water crossings: N/A
Full report on NETC - Tue, Sep 8MudWetDry
Water crossings: N/A
Full report on NETC - Mon, Sep 7MudWet
Water crossings: Water crossing first thing on the tail, running water but plenty of rocks and easy to cross
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
64 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 64 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
29°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 29°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.