David Metsky
Well-known member
This was an AMC Boston Chapter hike lead by Bob Kittredge, I was a co-leader. We (well, most of us) met at the Caps Ridge lot at 8:00 after an early morning start from Boston. We left two cars there and drove around to Bowman, where the remaining participants (who should have read their instructions mail) were waiting. We were on the trail by 8:45.
The bottom part was an easy grade with a few relatively easy stream crossings. Clearly, the Castle Ravine trail doesn't get too much use or trail maintainence, but there was no problem finding our way. There were more, slightly more difficult stream crossings as we climbed higher. At one point we were walking on top of rocks with the unseen stream below us, loudly rushing through the rocks and cooling the air at least 15 degrees.
Once you hit the bottom of the headwall it's pretty straightforward scrambling. The trail was pretty easy to follow. We stopped for lunch around noon, 2/3 of the way up the headwall. The approach into Edmands Col was lush and green, a wonderful area. Then came the steep climb to Jefferson, the sun was mostly out though many of the summits were in cloud. We never did see the summit of Washington that day.
All that was left was the 2300' descent down Caps Ridge, which is nicer than a 4100' descent to Bowman.
We took our time on the way down, resting at the junction with the Cornice trail and again at Whirlpool Ledge. With slightly sore knees we arrived at the cars around 4:30, then drove back to Bowman for the car exchange.
A great hike up a trail that few of us had been up before. It really is a nice route, though long. The views of and in Castle Ravine are well worth the effort.
Photos to follow.
-dave-
The bottom part was an easy grade with a few relatively easy stream crossings. Clearly, the Castle Ravine trail doesn't get too much use or trail maintainence, but there was no problem finding our way. There were more, slightly more difficult stream crossings as we climbed higher. At one point we were walking on top of rocks with the unseen stream below us, loudly rushing through the rocks and cooling the air at least 15 degrees.
Once you hit the bottom of the headwall it's pretty straightforward scrambling. The trail was pretty easy to follow. We stopped for lunch around noon, 2/3 of the way up the headwall. The approach into Edmands Col was lush and green, a wonderful area. Then came the steep climb to Jefferson, the sun was mostly out though many of the summits were in cloud. We never did see the summit of Washington that day.
All that was left was the 2300' descent down Caps Ridge, which is nicer than a 4100' descent to Bowman.
We took our time on the way down, resting at the junction with the Cornice trail and again at Whirlpool Ledge. With slightly sore knees we arrived at the cars around 4:30, then drove back to Bowman for the car exchange.A great hike up a trail that few of us had been up before. It really is a nice route, though long. The views of and in Castle Ravine are well worth the effort.
Photos to follow.
-dave-
