Castle Ravine, Castles (Attempt) - Castle Trail, Israel Ridge Path, Randolph Path, Castle Ravine Trail - 8-4-2013

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Castle Ravine, Castles (Attempt), NH

	Trails:	Castle Trail, Israel Ridge Path, Randolph Path, Castle Ravine Trail

	Date of Hike:	Sunday, August 4, 2013

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	Good sized dirt lot off Rte 2 but had some sunken areas that puddled up pretty deep and reduced the usable area. Not a fee area, no facilties. Only one car in lot when I arrived, none when I left.

	Surface Conditions:	Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Standing/Running Water on Trail

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:	All crossings were generally reasonable if you were willing to get feet wet. The large "double" crossing of river at beginning of Israel Ridge only had water one side. Rocks were all very wet so hopping would have been risky. The first 100-200 ft on either side of lower crossings were also tricky because trail followed close to brook bed and had lots of wet rocks. The water crossing up Israel Ridge at top of waterfall was probably the hardest. Had to get boots wet at least ankle deep and it wasn't easy to see into water in several places because of the swift moving water. Fairly narrow though. Only other crossing of note was the last one before "Roof Rock" on Castle Ravine Trail with all the trees across it (as noted in AMC Guide). Footing was very slick and tricky and extra care should be taken to avoid falling through tree limbs. On way out I took bushwhack route for river crossing by powerline near trailhead (also noted in AMC Guide) and it was in fact much easier, especially with the increased water levels from all the rain. Bushwhack is very well trampled and easy to follow.

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	Maintenance wise all of these trails were in very good shape: well signed and blazed, clear drainage ditches and no blowdowns at all except for one very small duck-under about half way up Israel Ridge Path. Plenty of cairns to follow in fog for the above treeline areas.

	Dog-Related Notes:	Castle Ravine Trail above Roof Rock is NOT a dog trail. Isreal Ridge Trail also had some difficult areas that would make me uncomfortable having a dog, particularly the area around the waterfall crossing which had numerous slick log ladders, large drop offs at edge of trail and slick rocks that could lead to bad falls.

	Bugs:	None. Too cold and rainy.

	Lost and Found:	none


	Comments:	Weather did not cooperate today. Breaks of sun in valleys encouraged me that when I got up top it might just be undercast and all would be well. Nope. Trails were very wet today. Up until Roof Rock footing was pretty good even with the wet weather but the slide proved otherwise. The slide coming up ravine was very slick and took me much longer than expected. The gaps of sun were quickly replaced by sideways rain, fog and wind chills in the 30's. Decided to skip Castles and head down Israel Ridge. Good call. Took Randolph Path over listening to ominous rumbles as the clouds darkened. (It should be noted that Randolph Path in this section was very rough, slick and rocky and it's use as an "escape route" is pretty slow going). Just as I got to treeline thunderstorm unloaded some pea-sized hail and then heavy rain. Trail was EXTREMELY slick and tricky, especially the section from the Emerald Bluff junction down to the Link junction. There was a large slick ledge after waterfall crossing that I had to slide down and the log ladders were VERY slippery. Switchbacks dropping off ridge after falls do not have many rocks or gravel and were extremely slick mud, tree roots and pine needles. Was very slow going. I'd wait on this loop for a few days until things dry out a bit.

	Name:	DayTrip

	E-Mail:	bblanchette0709@gmail.com

	Date Submitted:	2013-08-05

	Link:	https://
		Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.