点评:Wildcat Mt. is known as a ski mountain, but we have been coming here exclusively in the summer for years, and it's just as magical as it ever was. You get the most scenic views of any mountain with a lift (far better than Loon and also nicer than Cannon), and being able to see Mt. Washington up close (it neighbors Wildcat) in all its glory makes for memories to last a lifetime. It used to be a gondola, but those have been replaced by chairlifts, which are quite exciting: you're exposed to the air and elements as you breeze up (or down) the mountain, with your feet dangling! It's actually not scary, just close the bars onto your lap.
There are two trails on top: one to a scenic viewing platform and the other is part of the Appalachian Trail. The latter is actually blocked a little way in due to fallen trees--please clear those soon so we can enjoy more of this amazing trail! The summit is not at all commercialized (no cafe, gift shop, or even restroom), so you can enjoy the nature and views unspoiled.
The base of Wildcat has a beautiful brook with picnic tables, and thankfully the loud music that blasted here our last visit has been taken away--just the sounds of nature remain. It's a really beautiful location, and you can hike the lovely Thompson Falls trail from the Wildcat base. (Two other short hikes to waterfalls--Crystal Cascade and Glenn Ellis Falls are located a minute or so by car from Wildcat, so this can be a full day trip.)
Make sure you stop here on your summer vacation--this is not only for skiers, but remains a breathtaking and beautiful place to visit in the summer! (They are currently only open Friday through Sunday, so make this a weekend destination.)
翻译:野猫山虽以滑雪胜地闻名,但多年来我们一直只在夏天来此游玩。这里的景色依旧如昔,迷人至极。它是所有设有缆车的山脉中视野最为壮美的山岳——远比卢恩山和坎农山更值得一看。能够近距离欣赏到华盛顿山的绝美风采(它就在野猫山旁边),实在是终生难忘的美妙体验。这里原先有缆车,不过后来都被缆椅所取代了。这些体验相当刺激:当你缓缓向上(或向下)滑行时,双脚悬空,完全暴露在空气和自然环境中!其实并不可怕,只要把防护栏合拢在膝盖上即可。
山顶有两条步道:一条通向观景台,另一条则是阿巴拉契亚步道的一部分。不过后者在行进一段距离后因倒下的树木而受阻——请尽快清理这些树木,这样我们就能尽情享受这条绝美的步道了!山顶完全没有商业化设施(没有咖啡馆、礼品店……这里甚至没有洗手间,因此你可以尽情欣赏未受破坏的自然风光与景色。
Wildcat山脚下有一条美丽的溪流,旁边还有野餐桌;值得庆幸的是,我们上次来访时在此处大声播放的嘈杂音乐现已消失不见——现在只有大自然的声音萦绕耳边。这真是一个极其美丽的地方,从Wildcat山脚出发还能徒步游览风景宜人的汤普森瀑布步道。(另外还有两条通往瀑布的短途徒步路线——水晶瀑布和格伦·埃利斯瀑布,驾车约一分钟即可抵达。)因此,这完全可以作为一次全天游览的行程。
暑假期间一定要来这里看看——这里不仅适合滑雪爱好者,在夏天同样是个令人心醉神迷、美不胜收的旅游胜地!(目前仅于周五至周日开放,所以不妨把这里列为周末出游的目的地吧。)