Trip report

Mt Jefferson Loop Hike

Hiking/Walk DATE: 05/02/2015 - 05/02/2015

Trip/Event Location: Randolph, NH
US

Trip Leader(s): shep5

Max # People: 10

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Strenuous

Join me for a loop hike to the third highest peak in the White Mountains and the Northeast...Mount Jefferson stands at 5712 feet.  This hike will ascend via the Castle Trail where we will

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Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at:

The trailhead parking is approximately 45 minutes and 38 miles from Lincoln / North Woodstock.  From Exit 32 on Rt. 93 as you pass Lincoln / North Woodstock continue on Rt. 93/Rt. 3 through Franconia Notch.  Just north of the notch, bear right at Exit 35 and follow Rt. 3 to Twin Mountain.  Continue on Rt. 3 through the traffic light and turn right onto Rt. 115.  After 9.6 miles, the junction with Rt. 2 will be reached.  Turn right and continue east for 4.2 miles.  The trailhead is signed (with a hiker symbol) and will be on the right (southside of the road).  Look for a grey Hyundai Elantra.  NOTE:  IF you pass the Lowe's Garage and Store (northside of Rt. 2), you've gone a little too far...TURN around and head back up the hill! 

For GPS users:  The trailhead is off US-2E/Gorham Hill Road; Randolph (Bowman), NH  03593 (44.357863,-71.344089).


Trip Report/Photos
Featured Photo

On Saturday, May 3rd, three of us met up at the Castle Trailhead off of Route 2 in Bowman (George, a friend of George's and myself).  It was a beautiful morning with mostly clear, blue skies.  It was a little chilly, but was warming up quickly.  Andrew was supposed to join us, but he hadn't yet arrived.

We got ready and by 8:40AM we set off for the trail.  The trail started a little ways down a snowmobile trail and after crossing under power lines, it crossed the Israel River.  For the next 1.3 miles, the trail was more or less flat.  After reaching the Israel/Castle trail junction, the grade began to steepen as it climbed the Castellated Ridge.  Along the way there was finally an increasing amount of snow and ice on the trail, so we stopped along the way to put on our microspikes.  This was persistent and didn't let up until we reached an elevation of about 3300 feet.  This was just east of where the trail skirted around Mount Bowman and here the grade moderated signicantly.  This was a nice walk through the woods, but it wouldn't last.  We arrived at the trail junction for the Link Trail at 11:35.  We took a short break before continuing on.  Here it started to become very steep before the trail finally emerged above treeline and we got our first glimse of what lay ahead.  The first "castle" was very impressive looking to say the least.  We stopped to take in the views down into Castle Ravine and up towards the ridge.  As we climbed over the first "castle" the trail continued to be rough as it climbed up and over the very jagged ridgeline.  This was slow, but it was amazing how warm and beautiful it was!  We finally stopped for a lunch break in a clearing below the Cornice at about 1:30PM.  This break was well-earned and a good opportunity to re-charge before the final push for the summit!  After the break we reached the Cornice at 1:50 and continued onto Jefferson.  An occasional dark cloud would drift by, but I was hoping that the summit would be clear by the time we arrived...which we did at 2:30.  This was the first time, that I've been on Jefferson (5712'), where it wasn't in the clouds!  The views were breathtaking with Washington and Adams prominently displayed before us!  We could even see a couple of cog railway trains near the summit of Washington (presumably making maintanence runs this time of year).  We had the summit to ourselves and there was only a mild wind across the peak.  It was nearly perfect...milder than many summer days, that I've summitted this peak.

After a while, we descended towards Edmands Col.  This was steep and the snow was a little deeper on this side.  Still going down was nice after all the elevation that we had done.  Along the way, we ran into and chatted with another hiker (the first we had seen today).  His hiking companion stayed at the base...and it turned out he was a client/colleague of mine!  We reached the trail junction in the col at 3:15, where there were a couple of cross-country skiers.  We turned onto the Castle Ravine Trail for a short time as we made our way over to the Israel Ridge Trail.  This was fairly level as it skirted the top of the Castle Ravine.  As we approached the junction for the Israel Ridge Trail, there were great views back towards the Castellated Ridge, that we had traversed.  We reached the Israel Trail junction at 3:40.  Shortly after this junction the trail descended back into the trees.  Even though this path had been used (lightly) there was significant snow cover still on this trail.  We were occasionally post-holing more and more.  By 4:10 we reached the Emerald Bluff Trail, but noone was that interested as we had already gotten the view of the ridge and this would have added mileage.  We just continued our descent.  Just after we crossed the Cascade Brook there was a beautiful waterfall and views out from its ledge.  By the time we reached the Cabin Cascades Trail junction, the trail was mostly clear of snow and ice again.  This allowed for a quicker pace the rest of the way down.  We had another water crossing just before the trail re-joined the Castle Ridge Trail.  After this the final portion of the hike was again pretty level again and we just had to cross the Israel River before getting back to our cars.  With the warm temperatures throughout the day the water level seemed higher and provided a little more of a challenge.  In any case we returned to our cars at 6:30PM.  

We got all packed up and headed to the Woodstock Inn for a nice meal to cap off the day!

It was an amazing day!  The weather couldn't have been better for this time of year and the views simply spectacular.  Who would have guessed, we would have been hiking in just T-shirts all day on a still snow-covered Jefferson!  The Castellated Ridge was definitly worth the challenge.  I had a very enjoyable day out with George and his friend throughout the day!  Thanks, guys!

  There are 35 photos in Album (Note: Move mouse pointer over larger pic and click on NEXT for better viewing)

What Members Are Saying About This Trip/Event

  • A strenuous but amazing hike on a fantastic day in the Presidentials..Thanks Steve! - georgep

Members That Participated

shep5

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Jaffrey, NH


United States

Attended
georgep

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Hooksett, NH


United States

Attended
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