| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Jefferson, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Castle Trail, Israel Ridge Path, Castle Ravine Trail, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop, Randolph Path, Israel Ridge Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 2, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Two cars at Bowman at 8:15am. Seven cars at 3:15pm, at least three of which looked like they were there for mountain biking on the rail trail. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I lost track of the number of water crossings on this loop. There were at least a dozen, maybe as many as 15. Most water crossings were of moderate difficulty at the current water levels. My hiking partner was able to rock-hop every one. I chose to take off my shoes and wade across on four occasions because I have less of a stomach for the "leap of faith" onto a wet and/or mossy rock. None of the crossings were challenging to wade across, so for me wading was the safer option at times. Regardless of your method, hiking poles are very handy to have on Castle Ravine Trail just for balance when crossing Castle Brook a zillion times. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There is a blowdown on Castle Trail just past the crossing of the Israel River. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
We saw one pup on the Israel Ridge Path on our way down. |
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 | Bugs: |
I saw some little gnats(?) on Israel Ridge Path up high, but nothing was biting or even buzzing near us. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A beautiful day in the Northern Presidentials, filled with sunshine and colorful foliage. So much for the overcrowded Whites — on a gorgeous and temperate Sunday during peak foliage season, we saw seven people on the summit of Mt. Jefferson and just three people on the trails! We only saw one person on the trails from Bowman to the ridge.
Castle Ravine Trail has a tricky wayfinding moment right around the time when you break into the lower scree field. The cairns lead you up the center of the scree field, which can make it easy to miss a cairn on the right edge of the scree field, about 2/3 of the way up, that marks the point where the trail goes back into the scrub for a bit. We initially missed this and had to backtrack a short way.
This is a very enjoyable area of the Whites that always seems pretty quiet, much like many trails that are not the shortest or easiest trails to a peak. We decided against side trek to Emerald Bluff, but the First and Second Cascades were flowing nicely.
Shoutout to the guy whose previous hiking experience in the Whites consisted of the Mt. Willard Trail, but who nonetheless successfully made it up the Six Husbands Trail with a friend. |
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 | Name: |
JDH |
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 | E-Mail: |
jdhill08@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-10-02 |
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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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