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This
section of the trail, which went on for almost an hour, definitely
required careful handholds and a delicate balance. It was challenging,
and I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone even remotely afraid of
heights. I also wouldn’t recommend it for descent. I did enjoy
the challenge though. After reaching the top of the ridge, the
ledges disappeared and the trail evened out.
Soon,
I stumbled upon the summit of the Wildcat Ski Area. This was mildly
surprising only because I had walked right past Wildcat E peak
without even noticing it. I soon found out that this was to be
the rule rather than the exception because Wildcat Ridge, which
officially has 5 peaks named A through E, actually has at least
10 mini summits, punctuated by numerous shallow cols. Only one
of these, Wildcat Col, between peaks D and C, dips down fairly
low.
At
the top of the ski area, which is in a little col between Wildcat
E and D, I stopped for a rest and a snack. The ski area was closed
for the winter, and not quite ready to open for the summer tourist
season, so the summit building was deserted.
From here, I continued up a short steep section to Wildcat D,
which had a small wooden observation tower maintained by the ski
area. I couldn’t see down to the bottom of the ski area, but I
did get another look at Mt Washington and Northern Presidentials.
By this time, clouds were starting to move in, and I wondered
whether it was going to start raining.
After leaving the tower, the trail quickly started downhill, at
times steeply, heading for Wildcat Col, the deepest col on the
ridge and the only one below 4000 feet. There were some patches
of snow in the col, and the tangle of brush and blowdown patches
gave the place a wild look. I expected to see a bear pop out of
the woods at any minute. I didn’t see a bear, though, but I did
see a spruce grouse, which is a very tame chicken-like bird that
will walk fairly close to you without showing any fear. I took
a picture of it, which unfortunately came out a bit fuzzy. |
A
not-so-great self-portrait at the deserted summit of Wildcat ski
area. The Wildcat Ridge, which officially has 5 peaks named A
through E, actually has at least 10 mini summits, punctuated by
numerous shallow cols. |
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