Carter Dome and Wildcat Ridge
Wildcat A - 4422', Wildcat D - 4050'
The Wildcat ridge has 5 main summits, labeled A through E with many smaller summits along the way. There are two peaks, A and D, that are considered 4000 footers; with A near Carter Notch and D near Rt 16. Until recently, E was considered a 4000'er but a resurvey has given D that honor.The trip up Wildcat E from Rt 16 is very steep, with pinned steps on bare rock. It can be difficult in wet weather. The Wildcat Ski Area is located on the west side of the mountain, the lifts topping out between D and E.
From the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center there are two options to climb Wildcat E. The Wildcat Ridge trail starts at the parking area for Glen Ellis Falls, about 1 miles south. The trail crosses the Ellis river just past the trailhead, a difficult and sometimes dangerous crossing. Many people start at Pinkham and take the Lost Pond trail to the Wildcat Ridge trail, a distance of about a mile. From the north, the Nineteen-Mile Brook trail climbs into Carter Notch where it meets the Wildcat Ridge trail for the climb up to Wildcat A.
