Pinkham Notch to Carter Notch

Wildcats (Pinkham Notch to Carter Notch)

Sitting in the lounge chairs at the Pinkham Notch Visitors Center eating burgers and drinking soda, you are tempted to just sit back and do nothing. At this point, you are almost done with the infamously difficult White Mountains. Unfortunately, you are well aware at this point that the Wildcats are next, looming above. But with legs of steel at this point, you muster your strength and start climbing the brutal 2,000 foot route they are calling trail to the top of the Wildcat Mountain ski area. And what did I see as I took a break but three thru-hikers using the ski lift to get up the mountain instead of hiking the AT. Let me just say I made the first enemies of my hike at this point as I chastised them for their pathetic move. Shortly beyond the ski area is an observation platform on Wildcat D with some fair views. The trail continues with some other points until you reach the highpoint of Wildcat, forested but it has some viewpoints and lots of camping. Dropping down to Carter Notch, there was an AMC hut but it was well off the trail so I did skip it. At this point, I had seen enough huts and I did not need any more snickers bars.