| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Bowman, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Castle Trail, Israel Ridge Path, Castle Ravine Trail, Gulfside, Six Husbands Trail, Jefferson Loop, Castle Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, September 18, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
One of the reasons I picked this hike today is the easy parking area just off of Route 2. Room for a lot of cars and most were there for the bicycling on the rail trail. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All the crossings were rock hop-able today, thankfully because there are a lot of crossings of Castle Brook. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All the trails today were in excellent condition. I think I can recall just one birch blowdown that wasn't difficult to climb over. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
You'd be a jerk to take a dog up a ravine unless the dog likes hiking up loose rocks |
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 | Bugs: |
Yes there was One and it flew into my ear and caused me some distress |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
If you're looking for solitude and want to hit a Presi this is a good choice. And Castle Ravine is LOVELY. I didn't have any issues staying on trail, brook crossings have the RMC Path signs and there are faded blazes, and the rock cairns above are excellent. I didn't take a break until I reached the springs just below Edmands Col and I enjoyed the view, best of the summer (I guess that isn't saying much this summer). I continued on Gulfside to avoid the people coming down and then headed up Six Husbands to get to Jefferson's summit. Lots of people on the summit and I hiked down to take a peek at Caps Ridge and there was a line of people headed up. I headed down Castle Trail and noted that all the white rock topped cairns are in amazing shape, not a rock out of place and the line is so straight down to the Castles. The view was grand all the way down. I went to the top of the Castles to enjoy the view deep into the Ravine. The weather was so nice just a puff of a breeze. Back in the green tunnel the footing on this path is delightful. I took a bushwhack side trip Mt. Bownman starting when the flat part of the trail started to go down. Woods were decent after getting away from the trail, nice old Moose herd paths in there but there was no moose poop, didn't see any all day. Near the Bowman summit there is a blow down area that gave me a grand vista straight into Castle Ravine. Back on trail it was easy to be speedy trotting down the soft footbed. This day was a 10. |
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 | Name: |
Nordic_Gal |
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 | E-Mail: |
amybike@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-09-18 |
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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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