11/7/22
Day Sixty-Five

Today was a really long day. It has officially become chase the sun season and that’s what I spent the day doing. This was the first time that I’ve hiked the Wildcats in a really long time, like years, and I went the opposite of how I have gone in the past - taking 19 Mile Brook up to the ridge and descending down Wildcat E instead of vice versa. I forgot how many ups and downs there are going down Wildcat E and how rocky it is. Still, I was able to maintain an almost 2mph elapsed time speed throughout the day. The weather was unseasonably warm again and I only saw one person on the trail all day until I got to Square Ledge and Glen Ellis Falls. They’ve completed the steps and walkway down to Glen Ellis and it is absolutely beautiful. The last time I did this hike the trail was being worked on (2020). I forgot how long the trail to Square Ledge is, always confusing it with the side trail to Crawford Cliff, and by the time I was doing the road walk to Thompson Falls I was spent. Despite wanting to forego this side trip, I found myself turning into the parking lot at Wildcat Ski Resort and completing the 1.4 mile side trip. Then, back on the road, I prayed that I would get a ride and save myself an added 2 mile road walk back to my car and was blessed with a ride from a couple who picks up hikers a lot, they said. The day ended before 3:30 and I was grateful for the strength that I found in myself to get through this long day.

Daily Miles: 13.25

Daily Vert: 4948’

Overall Mileage: 726.18

Overall Vert: 220,423’

Trace: 31.1% -> 31.8%

NEHH: 34/100

Trails:

19 Mile Brook

Wildcat Ridge Trail

Lost Pond Trail

Glen Ellis Falls Trail

Square Ledge