| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Jefferson, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Castle Trail, Jefferson Loop, Gulfside, Randolph Path, Israel Ridge Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, August 20, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Castle Trailhead lot was 2/3 full at 9am. |
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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: |
On Castle Trail after 0.4 mi, there is a crossing of the Israel River; as described in the White Mountain Guide, the easiest place to cross is where the trail first reaches the river, even though the official trail continues a few hundred feet before reaching a "Trail" sign directing hikers to make a right turn to cross; even this easiest place was difficult today, requiring stepping on rocks a half inch underwater with water flowing fast over them.
But our most difficult crossing was at the end of our descent of Israel Ridge Path, just before rejoining Castle Trail: In the middle of Israel River, one needs to straddle an inverted-V shaped rock as if riding a horse, and then make a fairly large step onto another rock; we managed with the help of a taller member of our group. The large log in the river here is very slippery - not a good place to step.
Then, descending Castle Trail, we revisited the first crossing in the reverse direction, continuing past the official crossing place a few hundred feet so as to cross at the easier place. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
For those descending Israel Ridge Path, the first junction with the Link has insufficient signage. It is not clear whether Israel Ridge Path descending turns right or left there (it turns right). There is only a sign pointing back the way up Israel Ridge Path, and a sign for the Link pointing towards Castle Ravine Trail in one direction and Appalachia in the other.
At the junction of Randolph Path and Israel Ridge Path, the yellow USFS "STOP" sign warning about the weather above treeline has faded to the point of being almost unreadable.
At the intersection of Castle Trail and the Link, the two signs for the Link seem to have been vandalized - it looks as if someone tried to obscure the L of "Link" in both signs.
The section of Castle Trail crossing the power-line clearing is overgrown to the extent that one cannot see one's feet as one is walking, pushing through the plants.
It would be good if the AMC would slightly change the official location that Castle Trail crosses Israel River, to use the easier crossing described in the WMG.
There was one blowdown about 2 miles up Castle Trail that was causing a small herd path around it, and one in a more annoying position higher up on Castle Trail (if I remember correctly, one needed to go under this one while on a wet sloping slab). |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
It would be very difficult to get dogs up the scrambles on Castle Trail. As usual in the Northern Presidentials, the rocks above treeline are sharp, tough on dogs' paws. |
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 | Bugs: |
Some mosquitoes below treeline, but not too bad. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We ascended Castle Trail and descended Israel Ridge. The most difficult scrambles and pretty much all the rocks above treeline were dry. Below treeline most of the rocks were wet from recent rains and often slippery, but in most places there were ways to avoid them. The wooden ladders and steps on Israel Ridge Path were very slippery; many of us descended them backwards, facing the slope.
Canadian wildfire smoke reduced visibility (air quality was "Moderate" today) - one could see Franconia Ridge, but mountains farther away were hazy and faint at best. |
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 | Name: |
mathbp |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-08-21 |
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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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