Wildcat D (4,062 ft) 9-11-16

Distance: 5.62 mi.
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

Mt. Wildcat, D Peak (4,062 ft) & Mt. Wildcat, A Peak (4,422 ft) 1-2-15

Distance: 8.69 mi.
Elevation: 2,500 ft. (overall) 3,580 ft. (total)
Time: 2:00 (Wildcat D) 3:40 (Wildcat A) 5:10 (Wildcat D) 6:29 (Total)
Trails: Polecat Ski Trails, Wildcat Ridge Trails

Being at camp for New Years weekend as we normally do, it seemed a bit different coming into the White from the north for this hike. Weather for this weekend looked to be cloudy the entire time, but doing it this way made for a shorter drive than my normal 3.5 hours to get to the Wildcats.

Normally I'm not a big fan of hiking up a ski trail or something like that, I prefer to stay in the woods to hike a mountain. But given the longer and more dangerous options of using the trails on either side of the peaks, this was the quickest way to get the summits. It's also a very common route for winter peak baggers. All it requires is a $10 general access pass from the ski area.

Hiking up the ski trail

The standard route up the ski trails is to stay to the left using the Polecat trails and staying out of the way of skiers. This route proved to be steep at times as well as a bit icy in places, but footing was firm and there was no need to break trail. I made it up to the top of the ski trails in good time without any issues along them. I saw one ski patrol member that was cleaning up a small tree and had no issue with access to where I was from anyone. At the top of the chairlift, I could really feel the wind now as there weren't any trees blocking it. I quickly headed into the trees to go up the trail.

Nice hard trail between the peaks

I breezed over Wildcat D planning on spending more time here on the way back. It was a short steep climb up it and then again coming down off it. Now heading down, the hiking trail was quite firm and I decided to try using microspikes instead of my snowshoes. This worked well all the way out and back to the ski trail with only a couple places requiring care. With just the microspikes on, I was able to quicker up the trail. The ridge has a few ups and downs (B and C peak specifically), but nothing was too bad. It was a bit steep coming up onto C peak and some others butt sliding down made it a bit slicker for me going up. There are a few views along the ridge, but today the clouds made them not very good.

Short steep section

I made good time to Wildcat A peak and was able to look down into Carter Notch well. You couldn't see much further than that though. I had met a few people along the trail today that seemed like they were hoping to stay there tonight. But I also saw some of them at 19 Mile Brook trail head as I drove by, so maybe they didn't know all about self service season at the hut. It was cold on the summit and quite windy, so I spent less time than normal here before heading back.

Carter Dome from Wildcat A

The hike back to Wildcat D went well, as expected. The short steep descent off of C Peak took some care, but was never dangerous. Just before the platform on D Peak, I changed my damp layers for dry layers while I still had the trees to block the wind. I knew I was going to want more warm layers on the platform and for the hike down.

Heading back towards Wildcat D

Clouds were trying to clear some while I was on the platform, but they never did much. I was able to see up the range some and into the Gorham area, but that was about it. So after my pictures and such, I headed back down to the ski trail. Wind was blowing harder then the hike up it seemed, but that might have just been because I was now facing the wind. Goggles were nice to have for the descent. At one point I briefly talked with a nice couple that thought I was crazy for hiking up and down the mountain on a day like this. I didn't have the heart to tell them I thought they were crazy for paying $75 just to ski down a mountain (I fully admit I am not a skier) when I only had to pay $10.

Clouds still hiding the Presidential Range from view

Hiking down the ski trail as the sun gets lower

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE