04/24/2015
1:32PM-4:57PM
19 Mile Brook Trail,  Wildcat Ridge trail (Out and Back)
8.6 Miles
2,757′ Elevation

Lucy and I finished our Whiteface and Passaconaway loop with energy to spare. I made some sandwiches and drove up 16 to the trailhead at 19 mile brook. The clouds were rolling in and the winds were picking up. I only needed Wildcat A because I had bagged the D peak in April 2013 but did not make it across the ridge. I would meet Jason Beaupre on the way down Wildcat Ridge and we would become good friends so it was not for a loss. Of course he would have caught up with me soon enough even if I had gone the whole ridge but oh well…

We saw lots of folks on 19 mile returning from their hikes for the day. One woman warned of high winds and that she only hiked to the hut because of them. It was kind of her to inform me but I knew that Wildcat A has very limited openness along the trail so I was not worried.

Because it was colder in fact snowing lightly I decided once again to take my chances and leave the snowshoes in the car. I would not end up needing them. I would recommend them on the warmer days though as there is plenty of snow past the 19 mile Carter Dome split.

The trail up Wildcat Ridge is a bit narrow so take care not to take a tumble. I tried to put on my gloves only to find that they had fallen out of my pack. Bad packing on my part for sure. So with cold hands I grabbed my extra socks and put them on. They worked just fine and my hard warmed up in no time. I would find my gloves off the 19 mile trail on my return. Lesson learned. Make sure your bag is closed up tight EVERYTIME.

It was a great evening hike regardless of views. I always feel good when I can get a second hike in for a day. Even better when I can get in a third though it is very rare. Lucy and I had dinner at the car. We would sleep very well that night. Great day of peak bagging with the little lady.

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