Elevation: 2,083 ft (overall) 2,311 ft (total)
Time: 2:23 (Summit) 3:36 (Total - Ski Area Parking Lot)
Trails: Wildcat Ridge Trail, Ski Slopes
"A pole dancing unicorn, now I've seen everything."
For Flags on the 48 2016, our group decided to hike Wildcat D and fly our flag from the summit there. Our plan was to meet at the Glen Ellis Falls parking lot at 8am, gather our things and group, then head up the steep Wildcat Ridge Trail to the summit. While things to the north looked like they might already be clearing, the forecast for this morning was for a band of rain (with possible thunder and lightning) to come through around 10am. We discussed the weather and changed up our plan and supplies based on that. We collectively decided we would be going up, but paying attention to the weather while climbing. Knowing that the storm was coming and we might get turned back.
About 8:30am we headed out for the hike. Crossing the river was too difficult today, but with some slick rocks, Greg still managed to step in deeper than his boot. Almost immediately this trail heads straight up the mountain. It's steep and rocky and stays that way for quite a while. It's not a trail to underestimate when planning your hike. We weren't very far up the mountain when the morning rain started to come down. It was light to start (at least in the trees) so I put on my pack cover, but not my rain jacket. I didn't want to keep the rain off me just to end up sweating a bunch instead. Steadily the rain picked up and I eventually had to put my rain jacket on. By now the trail was starting to have a small stream of water coming down it.
Than rain picked up more and we started to see some flashes from lighting. We could tell from the delayed thunder that they were still a safe distance away though. As we started to get to some of the open rocky sections though, the storm was getting closer. We briefly discussed the storm and decided to keep going for now. A little further up the trail, we stopped at an open area to get a view of the storm. While here, the lightning struck much closer. We decided to venture into the trees and wait things out a bit. While we waited, we would see if the storm was bad enough to turn around. We were all fine with turning around, but none of us wanted to be the person to say we should yet. After about 30 minutes of standing around telling stories, we decided it was time to get moving either up or down the trail so we didn't get too cold. We decided the storm had died down enough that we could continue up.
We kept heading up the mountain and the rain progressively got better and better. By the time the trail finally started to level out some as it neared Wildcat E peak, we were actually starting to see some patches of sun coming through. We traversed over E peak and down to the top of the ski area. We took a short break hear with the sun coming out before pushing up the last short climb to the summit. As soon as we arrived, we dropped our packs and started getting out the flag setup.
Jim brought a pair of C-clamps with a plan to clamp the pole to the posts on the platform at the summit. We put the pole together, attached the flag, and raised the whole thing up. The wind was blowing pretty fast today and the flag was whipping around quite a bit. It took multiple people to hold the pole still so we could get the clamps on. Unfortunately, the clamps weren't working well. We couldn't get them on tight enough or the placement made it hard to turn the handle. We tried various different setups with wood shims and bungee cords before we finally got the pole nearly tight. At this point though, we looked up and noticed that the wind had actually bent the metal conduit upper section of the pole significantly. We wouldn't be able to leave the setup this way, so we had to come up with another plan.
Getting the flag ready
Setting up the flag
Still trying to attach the pole to the platform
We discussed various ways of using part of the pole to fly the flag out to the side of the platform. In the end though, we decided to just drape the flag down over the side. Of course immediately the wind blew the flag back up onto the deck. So I got out the few few of para cord I carry in pack to tie the end down. This ended up being the only rope we had with us today. Knowing we had clamps, no one brought any extra rope. This setup worked well and was what we used for the 2 hours of flying the flag.
Coming up with option #2
After getting the flag setup, Brian and Greg got to work cooking hot dogs for lunch. The plan was to bring a bunch and offer them to hikers that came by. Based on the weather though, we cut back to just one package of (of 24) and that was more than enough. After we ate, we sat in the sun that was now fully out and just relaxed. Eventually Brian got restless and started acting goofy in his new unicorn hat. He pretended to be a pull and Jay tried to tame him with a makeshift cape. He posed and pranced in front of the flag some. And while taking down our flag setup, he even used the pole for some dancing. The man just isn't right in the head.
Time for hotdogs
Now flying from the deck
Cloud capped Presidential Range
We have unicorn approval
Prancing unicorn
Summit fun
Folding the flag
For the descent, we decided to take the easy route by going down the ski slopes. No one really wanted to carry the flag pole down the steep trail, especially if it was still wet from the rain. The hike down went well and soon we were at the base. Jim tried hitchhiking solo to go back and get a car for us, and he was quickly picked up. Soon we were all back at the parking lot and packing up.
In the end, the rain and storm made for an interesting and slightly slower ascent, but the day turned out quite nice. A fun time was had even though not many hikers were out today. A few other groups had to changed plans for some of the higher and more exposed peaks, but confirmation was had for all 48 peak groups again this year. A truly remarkable feat given the weather and conditions. All the hikers that volunteer to do this event get another big round of applause again this year.
Google Earth representation of the hike
For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE
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