Wildcat Mountain, A Peak

"Polecat Trail up to Wildcat D. Then over to A peak via Wildcat Ridge Trail. Crossed over C and B peaks but those are not marked. A lot of short and steep up and downs on this part of the trail. On the way back down Polecat had an encounter with 2 moose. Kept my distance. Had to backtrack a little and took another ski trail down. Picked up Polecat Trail further down the mountain. " — dmcosker • Aug 25, 2019

"An out and back on the Wildcats via 19 Mile Brook Tr. Some gridding in action and to visit Kate. Tagged both A and D peak. Stopped in at the hut but Kate wasn't in yet. On the way back down 19 Mile Brook, our paths met. She just drove up from PA to start her shift at Carter Notch Hut. A good day." — newenglandwarrior • Oct 4, 2018

"Parked at Wildcat Ski Resort, caught a ride to 19 Mile Brook Trail. Hiked up 19 Mile Brook Trail to Wildcat Ridge Trail, then across A, B, C and D, then down E to Pinkham Notch Visitors' Center. Caught a ride on a motorcycle back to my car. Met tons of other hikers. Fun hike, but boy was it steep going up Wildcat A from Carter Notch and going down Wildcat E! My pics are in the original post. I originally posted this in Peakery under my Wildcat E summit, because I didn't realize you could post them all together, and I had already done A, B, C and D before, so didn't know I should post them again." — Hufflepuff • Aug 11, 2018

"The second day of our hut trip - woke up to a great breakfast and some good coffee :) The hike out starts with a nice wake up climbing up to Wildcat and then a very enjoyable ridge hike out - such a great trip!" — deb-and-rob • Jun 17, 2018

"After D peak, I went over and did A peak. I brought out my snowshoes and used them. There was about a couple of inches of snow I had to break out. Eventually reached A peak. On the way back, saw a bunch of people heading to D peak. Made quick time going down the ski slopes. " — newenglandwarrior • Apr 21, 2018

"Epic and sort of disappointing hike... we had decided to head up the ridge trail instead of the ski trails which took more time due to careful footing...but it was well worth it for views and sense of accomplishment. We had wanted to do all of wildcat AND carter dome AND the carters...but on the descent from wildcat A to the col between carter dome we all had some sketchy falls....I wanted to keep going but my two hiking buds said it was a no go...they didn't have the strength or mental state to continue. So just the 5 Wildcats for the day. Actually using my ice axe and crampons was pretty exciting though....especially when I had to self arrest due to a slide and while sliding a crampon popped off...so quite of bit of dangerous excitement. " — shay-shay • Apr 21, 2018

"After Wildcat D, I hiked over to A. Had to break trail between D and B peaks. Glad I brought the snowshoes. Tiring work. A huge moral booster when I came across old snowshoe tracks at B peak. My pace quickened and I reached A peak. Views there too. Headed back to D peak then down the ski trails back to my car. " — newenglandwarrior • Dec 15, 2017

"Ascended Wildcat Ridge Trail from Glen Ellis Falls Trailhead; Descended the Ski Trails then road walk back to trailhead. Lots of blowdowns up along the ridge between peaks E and A." — kpreston21 • Nov 4, 2017

"After summiting D, I made my way over to A. I was the only person on the trail today. Reached the summit and then returned the way I came. 2 more peaks for my 5th loop and also moving some of my weaker Grid peaks up." — newenglandwarrior • Mar 20, 2017

"With no hiking partner for the day I chose Wildcat since I would be safely surrounded by skiers on a solo climb. I hiked around the river at the bottom and came up the side of a cliff to the Polecat trail. Once on the ski trail, I tended to take the closed paths in order to stay out of the way of the skiers. I crossed all of the peaks to A and then on my way back also grabbed E and then returned via the ski trail. With cloudless skies and 40 degrees at the summit, it couldn't have been a more perfect day to hike the Cats!" — shay-shay • Mar 6, 2017

"Gorgeous summer day! Actually liked the hike from Carter Notch up to Wildcat. 1100' in .7 miles, but the trail work was phenomenal...ever time it was steep, there were stairs." — PJSelmer • Aug 8, 2016

"Began the day by smashing into a deer at 55mph on the way to meet Bruce. This was going to be my first NH hike - so might as well start off on the wrong foot. We took his car instead, leaving my at the gas station nearby. The hike was hard - despite having tons of miles in my legs, I was tired and the climb was steep af. It was also hot and I didn't drink enough, which made for a rough descent. We made up for it by having beer and pretzels at Schilling, where I met Tom Rossner. It was like a 46r reunion, as four of us happened to be in the same bar, in the same town. This hike definitely left me wanting more NH peaks. " — ne4kclimber • Jun 18, 2016

"For some Gridding, 4th loop, and red-lining, I decided to do the Wildcat's, but from the backside. After following a road that kept getting narrower, I hiked up the Bog Brook Trail, which was in a lot better shape then I was expecting. Hooked up to the Wild River Tr, then the Wildcat River Tr. Approaching Carter Notch from the south was a pleasant experience, seeing different scenery. Then ascended up to Wildcat via the AT. Socked in by clouds on the summit." — newenglandwarrior • Jun 2, 2016

"Peak number two of my first WCM Traverse. Came over from Wildcat D. Ridge trail was pretty icy so I spiked most of the time. Very quiet, didn't see another person the whole time (fantastic). Nice and sunny with occasional views over my shoulder to the cloud-covered Presi's." — npweeks • Dec 12, 2015

"Started out my two day thanksgiving trip at the nineteen mile brook trailhead. Headed up to the wildcat ridge trail from there and summited peaks A,B,C, and D. Then headed back along the ridge and down to Carter Notch hut where I spent the night. Weather was perfect, mid 40's, no wind, and excellent visibility." — LGH-Tom • Nov 25, 2015

"Lucked out and got a hitch from Joe Dodge to our starting point at South Imp trail. Got a preview of the AT SOBO hiking over the Carters and the Wildcats! Great to get a taste for what I'll be in for next year! Beautiful and sunny the first half of the day, then the fogged rolled in passing over the Wildcats. But what a fantastic day!" — matt-beard • Oct 24, 2015

"I left Wildcat D in good spirits and made my way over to A peak. I don't remember the time, but I would guess that it took an hour, maybe a little less. I was there before I knew it, and when I walked out onto the ledges overlooking Carter Notch I was awestruck. Such an incredible view, and that drop of 1500'+ straight down into the floor of the notch is spectacular. I went over to the high point and then started my descent of Wildcat Ridge to the notch" — npweeks • Jun 13, 2015

"Hiked up 19 Mile Brook, had to break out Wildcat Ridge Tr. Lost the trail and ended up bushwacking up the mountain in knee to waist deep snow. Regained the trail just below the summit. Socked in by clouds but it was a warm day (in the low 30s in N. Conway) compared to most of February. " — newenglandwarrior • Feb 22, 2015

"We thought we were still looking for peak D when we saw some travellers coming from peak A saying we were getting very close to the viewing vista for that peak. Having blisters on my feet, we were so relieved to know we had reached the final peak sooner than expected! Trail is laced with shimmering mica. " — kaylajean • Aug 30, 2014

"it was a gorgeous day. i hiked solo up the ski run to wildcat d, then up and down and up and down, across c and b to a. kinda felt like there were a few more up and downs in there too. stopped at the hut and bought a delicious piece of left over cake since i'd left my food bag at home, oops. hiked down the 19 mile brook trail and hitched back to wildcat ski resort to my car. my knees are not happy with me, but otherwise it was a fun day." — Hufflepuff • Sep 15, 2013