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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks First Cascade, Second Cascade, Emerald Bluff, NH
Trails
Trails: Castle Trail, Israel Ridge Path, The Link, Emerald Trail, Perch Path, Randolph Path, Log Cabin Cut-off, Cabin Cascades Trail, Lowe's Path, Presidential Range Rail Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, August 14, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of parking at the Castle trailhead at Bowman, several vehicles when I started out, a similar number on my return. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All crossings running low, Israel River crossing was dispatched easily. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A couple of stepovers on The Link between Israel Ridge and Castle Ravine, and a couple on Randolph as well (between Perch and Lowe's). Israel Ridge brushy in spots between The Link and the Perch. Good going otherwise. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Annoying down low in the late morning, but went away with elevation and some wind on the ridges. Not bad by late afternoon when I returned to the lower reaches. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: A loop of sorts that only a redliner could love. Went up Castle to Israel Ridge, then out and back on The Link to Castle Ravine Trail, then up Israel Ridge to Perch Path (with a side trip out to Emerald Bluff), out to Randolph Path. Down Randolph to Log Cabin Cut-off and across to The Log Cabin, and out Cabin Cascades Trail back to Israel Ridge. Then took The Link out to Lowe's, and down to the Rail Trail. Most rocks on this loop were greasy and slick, owing mostly to a lot of moss, but also from the prior days rain. Hung out at the Cascades and at Emerald Bluff for a while, and took breaks at the Perch and Log Cabin. It was hot, but breezes offered some relief. A lot of climbing for these straggling trails, but only saw a handful of people all day!  
Name
Name: Bill Robichaud 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bill.robichaud@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-08-14 
Link
Link: https://onapathwithheart.blogspot.com 
Bookmark and Share 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.

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