| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Adams, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Air Line, Short Line, Randolph Path, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop, Israel Ridge Path, Lowes Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 10, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The Appalachia parking lot was full at 6:30AM. I parked in the wide breakdown lane of route 2. A WMNF volunteer was at the trailhead to provide information and advice. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossing of Spur Brook on the Randolph Path was easy on ledges/rocks. The Sanders Bridge is used to cross Cold Brook on the Randolph Path. All other water crossings are minor. I selected this route to Mt Jefferson to avoid the crossing of the Israel River on the Castle Trail after the rains. Not sure if this crossing was difficult today. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The top of a small evergreen is across the Randolph Path between the Cabin Cut-Off and Lowes Path. One can climb over some rocks just off the trail to get by. There is a blow down across the Randolph Path between the Lowes Path and the Perch that is about three feet off the ground. You can step over the tree at one end that is not so high up. Both of these obstacles can be removed with a small saw. There were some other minor obstructions that were easy to get by on the Randolph Path.
The sign for the Randolph Path at the upper junction with the Israel Ridge Path is missing. Only a post is present. The sign for the Israel Ridge Path is present pointing to the trail that ascends the left fork while the Randolph Path is the right fork running level towards Edmands Col.
There is a small plastic sign for the King Ravine Trail on the Air Line at the Gateway that is nearly impossible to read. Perhaps this is avoid inviting hikers to descend the King Ravine Trail.
The vegetation crowds the Randolph Path in many spots with the section from the Perch to the tree line being the most notable. The pathway is still obvious. My pants were soaked after passing through but quickly dried above tree line. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw some dogs. There is water on the Gulfside Trail between Edmands Col and Thunderstorm Junction. Take precautions if your dog is sensitive to the abrasive surfaces of the mica schist rocks of the northern Presidential peaks. |
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 | Bugs: |
Not bothersome. Some of the large bugs on Mt Jefferson that never seem to bite or sting. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The Randolph Path provides a route with a fairly constant grade and decent footing except the rough rocky areas near the Perch. The Randolph Path for the uppermost 1+ mile is nearly level.
Both the Randolph Path and the Air Line were wet below the tree line with the Air Line having more running/standing water and mud than the Randolph Path.
The ascent/descent on the Jefferson and Adams summit cones are mainly rock hops (a good test of balance).
Mountain Avens in bloom in Edmands Col. Labrador Tea, Mountain Sandwort, and Bunchberry in bloom and there was Bluebead Lily and Indian Poke just off the Gulfside Trail on Mt Jefferson.
Many hikers were out on this fine day. Had a nice discussion with Monica on the Jefferson Loop Trail. Met a group from Harvard Univ on Mt Jefferson as well as a young man I had seen on the Kinsman trip earlier this year. Seemed to be a lot of Connecticut people out today. Had a good conversation with a couple on descent on the Air Line Trail. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-07-10 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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