| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Jefferson, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Castle Trail, Caps Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at Cap Ridge trailhead off Jefferson Notch Rd at 8-ish am for car spot, and a few spots at Castle Trail head at Bowman area of Rt-2, a while later. Jefferson Notch Rd South and North generally in good shape, w/ few mid road rain swept gutters on North side. NHDOT roadside mowing in progress on North side. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
First water crossing of Israel River of Castle trail was not a problem. Although hiking poles were helpful. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Both trails are generally in great shape.
Thank you to the trail maintainers |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Imho, others free to disagree, but, these steep,rocky trails are really NOT good choices for doggies.
Tough to even carry dogs by hand or with a rescue harness. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Black flies and no-seeums were hungry at a few stops along way. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Reporting this hike as participant, as 2 others lead our hike of 8.
Great day for a hike on these nar filled trails. First castle certainly lived up to its rep, but seemed like a mere blip after doing Huntington Ravine trail the previous week. Talus area balance-n-swing toe moves up and down Jeff's summit cone took more of one's attention and energy.
Enjoyed looking back upon previously climbed castles from both Castle Trail as well as from Caps Ridge. Neat perspective.
Thankful that we took Caps Ridge down, as going back down 4K of elevation over Castles seemed like alot more unnecessary effort than heading down Caps Ridge as we did.
As a group we tried our best to convince a woman and hear adult daughter on Caps Ridge trail up and down was a better return route back to their vehicle at same trailhead than heading down Castle to lightly used/maintained Link trail back to Caps Ridge trail. Hoping they listened. It was already well after 2pm when we encountered them near first Cap.
Grateful for good weather, as there was a 30% chance of Showers/ t-storms by late afternoon. Rock stayed dry for us. Humidity, however, had us joking among ourselves, that the once dry trail dirt in front of us was made muddy by our fallen sweat behind us. ;-)
Great day of hiking with a great and wonder group of folks. |
|
 | Name: |
Mike D and several friends |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-08-14 |
|
 | 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. |
|
