MtnMagic
New member
Dates Hiked: September 25/26, 2004
Trails Hiked: Wildcat Ridge, Carter-Moriah
Total Distance: 19.6 miles; 7100’ of elevation gain.
Difficulty: With the distance, elevation gain and a heavy pack it was strenuous.
Conditions: A little mud, lots of red, orange, & yellow trees and scores of mountains everywhere.
Trip Report:
"Nothing to it," I said. " Piece of cake," she replied. On Saturday the 25th. Sky, Ghostdog, and this writer were filled with excitement as we spotted my car in Gorham then drove to the Glen Ellis Falls parking lot. At about 7:30 a.m. we left the Ellis River Trailhead crossed the Ellis River with its moderate water level with an easy rock hop across as we started the first mile of the 19+ mile journey.
The Wildcat Ridge Trail shortly starts a steep elevation gain, has several ledge scrambles and two areas of pinned wooden steps for most of the 2 mile climb up to E Peak, the first of 5 (two of which are on the 48 4k footer list D at 4062’, & A at 4422’) on the ridge of the Wildcats and her kittens.
We passed the time of this big descent to Carter Notch by asking each other 1960/70’s TV show trivia. Both of us forgot a few details and learned some new ones. At Carter Notch hut we stopped to refill our water. Jon, the hutmaster, was busy cooking cinnamon rolls, noodles with mushroom soup, chicken, and vegetables. We tried the rolls and soup. They were great!
It is extremely rare to find cooked food here as this is a self service hut. Jon said there was a group of 35 AMC staff arriving for a conference. At 2 PM we headed up the steep Carter-Moriah Trail to Carter Dome meeting many hikers on the way. I recognized one. It was Andy Falender, Executive Director of the AMC, so we stopped and enjoyed cheery trail talk. We shared similar views on the upcoming WMNF 15 year forest plan that will be written in the Where We Stand section of AMC Outdoors, October issue
A quick rest was in order on the Dome (4832’), the third peak on the 48 highest 4k list before going over to the 7th mountain of the day, Mt. Hight (4675’). The incredible 360 degree views from this summit are astounding and surely are the finest in the range. I’ve never enjoyed leaving this summit and wanted to stay for the sunset. We didn’t wish to set up camp in the night, so it was time to continue on as the site near the summit was occupied. We found the tent spot just North of Zeta Pass available, set up camp, had a big dinner, played chess, and reflected on our long ascent and big day.
Sky asked if we were halfway. We were in hours, but not in miles. She decided she had enough and made the decision after breakfast, to go down Carter Dome Trail to her car at Glen Ellis, which I completely understood. Sadly we parted ways as Ghostdog and I continued the traverse. Passing a group of 6 campers we exchanged "Good Morning" to each other and I said "What fun!" to them as we ascended the trail. They fully agreed.
South Carter summit (4430’), one more on the 48 list arrived so quickly it was difficult to believe it only took a half hour. Middle Carter (4610’), another 48 4k’er, again arrived quickly and did not even seem to take an hour. The views on the trail over to North Carter are just wondrous and I was amazed how far from Big George we had hiked in a mere day.
I had forgotten how far one has to descend (1.6 miles) from North Carter to the Imp Mtn and then down to the campsite, where we replenished our water and added another 4 tenths of a mile to return to the main trail. We continued up to Mt. Moriah (4049’) where Ghostdog would bag her final 48th. Super views galore and not a soul to be seen under almost hot temperatures. This was surely success!
It did rain Saturday night for a couple of hours but that’s what a tent is for! Excellent day hiking weather combined with the sensational views of mountains during near peak foliage added to the distinction of this traverse. Enormously gratifying, this incredible adventure is 19.6 miles, capturing 14 summits with a 7100’ gain in elevation. Our second day of hiking seven mountains ended at 1:45 p.m. Sunday on Bangor Road. More than fun -- Life is good!
Trails Hiked: Wildcat Ridge, Carter-Moriah
Total Distance: 19.6 miles; 7100’ of elevation gain.
Difficulty: With the distance, elevation gain and a heavy pack it was strenuous.
Conditions: A little mud, lots of red, orange, & yellow trees and scores of mountains everywhere.
Trip Report:
"Nothing to it," I said. " Piece of cake," she replied. On Saturday the 25th. Sky, Ghostdog, and this writer were filled with excitement as we spotted my car in Gorham then drove to the Glen Ellis Falls parking lot. At about 7:30 a.m. we left the Ellis River Trailhead crossed the Ellis River with its moderate water level with an easy rock hop across as we started the first mile of the 19+ mile journey.
The Wildcat Ridge Trail shortly starts a steep elevation gain, has several ledge scrambles and two areas of pinned wooden steps for most of the 2 mile climb up to E Peak, the first of 5 (two of which are on the 48 4k footer list D at 4062’, & A at 4422’) on the ridge of the Wildcats and her kittens.
We passed the time of this big descent to Carter Notch by asking each other 1960/70’s TV show trivia. Both of us forgot a few details and learned some new ones. At Carter Notch hut we stopped to refill our water. Jon, the hutmaster, was busy cooking cinnamon rolls, noodles with mushroom soup, chicken, and vegetables. We tried the rolls and soup. They were great!
It is extremely rare to find cooked food here as this is a self service hut. Jon said there was a group of 35 AMC staff arriving for a conference. At 2 PM we headed up the steep Carter-Moriah Trail to Carter Dome meeting many hikers on the way. I recognized one. It was Andy Falender, Executive Director of the AMC, so we stopped and enjoyed cheery trail talk. We shared similar views on the upcoming WMNF 15 year forest plan that will be written in the Where We Stand section of AMC Outdoors, October issue
A quick rest was in order on the Dome (4832’), the third peak on the 48 highest 4k list before going over to the 7th mountain of the day, Mt. Hight (4675’). The incredible 360 degree views from this summit are astounding and surely are the finest in the range. I’ve never enjoyed leaving this summit and wanted to stay for the sunset. We didn’t wish to set up camp in the night, so it was time to continue on as the site near the summit was occupied. We found the tent spot just North of Zeta Pass available, set up camp, had a big dinner, played chess, and reflected on our long ascent and big day.
Sky asked if we were halfway. We were in hours, but not in miles. She decided she had enough and made the decision after breakfast, to go down Carter Dome Trail to her car at Glen Ellis, which I completely understood. Sadly we parted ways as Ghostdog and I continued the traverse. Passing a group of 6 campers we exchanged "Good Morning" to each other and I said "What fun!" to them as we ascended the trail. They fully agreed.
South Carter summit (4430’), one more on the 48 list arrived so quickly it was difficult to believe it only took a half hour. Middle Carter (4610’), another 48 4k’er, again arrived quickly and did not even seem to take an hour. The views on the trail over to North Carter are just wondrous and I was amazed how far from Big George we had hiked in a mere day.
I had forgotten how far one has to descend (1.6 miles) from North Carter to the Imp Mtn and then down to the campsite, where we replenished our water and added another 4 tenths of a mile to return to the main trail. We continued up to Mt. Moriah (4049’) where Ghostdog would bag her final 48th. Super views galore and not a soul to be seen under almost hot temperatures. This was surely success!
It did rain Saturday night for a couple of hours but that’s what a tent is for! Excellent day hiking weather combined with the sensational views of mountains during near peak foliage added to the distinction of this traverse. Enormously gratifying, this incredible adventure is 19.6 miles, capturing 14 summits with a 7100’ gain in elevation. Our second day of hiking seven mountains ended at 1:45 p.m. Sunday on Bangor Road. More than fun -- Life is good!
