trails around Jefferson

[arghman]

I would appreciate any advice on the strenuousness/enjoyability/felsenmeer content of the trails in the vicinity of Mt Jefferson, particularly the Link (which I've heard is rough and a root-trip hazard) and the upper part of the Castellated Ridge trail. I want to hike the Castles but avoid the long haul from Bowman, and maybe meander around the nearby trails that are closer to the treeline boundary. I've been up Caps Ridge before to the summit and also over to Mt Clay via the Cornice / Gulfside Tr.

 

[vegematic]

Hi Jason,
A really nice loop is to go up the Caps Ridge, down over the Castles, then take the Link back over to Caps. The descent down the Caps Ridge trail from this junction is easy. Above the Castles it is pretty much a rockpile but you have a lot of exposure. It's really beautiful on a nice day but treacherous if rainy or storming (I once got caught right on top of Jeff by a T-storm...really not fun running down the Castle trail). The Castles themselves are quite solid and are a lot of fun to scramble over. Descending them is not a problem. I'd rather descend the Castles than come down over the Caps. The Link from Castles to Caps is, as you say, rooty, but I think it is a really beautiful trail. It is a bit of slower going because you are stepping over some roots and large rocks in places but everything is pretty solid. It runs just below treeline so there are no sweeping views but the trail is lightly traveled and there is a lot of moss and fern and one or two really attractive small streams crossing the trail. If I can find a few representative pictures I'll post them.
-vegematic

 

[Sherpa John]

STAY OFF THE CORNICE!

I found the cornice to be the wrost trail in the whites. No cairns and scarcely a trail-marker. And its nothing enjoyable either.

Try the trail sarah and I adopted... jefferson loop... it goes over the summit from the Cornice/Gulfside Junction down to the Six Husbands/Gulfside Junction.

 

[poison ivy]

I actually have hiked the loop that vegematic suggests, but in the opposite direction. As has already been stated, the Link is somewhat rooty... and becomes more so after you've committed to walking down it. However, it was definitely not as difficult as I expected it to be. You'll go slower than usual but otherwise it's a fine trail... I'd definitely hike it again.

The Castles are beautiful... if you go up them definitely stop to look behind you... the higher you get the more beautiful they become. There was only one difficult section on the Castles -- it was steep and somewhat icy when I hiked this trail in October -- it shouldn't present a problem at this time of year though.

If you do hike the Cornice trail to connect the Castles and Caps Ridge, it's easier on the side that faces Mt. Washington. The other side, as Sherpa John says, is tough going. There are loose rocks on the Washington-side but it's a little easier.

Hope that helps... Jefferson is one of my favorite mountains!
- Ivy

 

[NH_Mtn_Hiker]

STAY OFF THE CORNICE!

Yea, the section between the Castle Trail and the Caps Ridge Trail (.7 mile, 200' elev. gain) is worth avoiding. I'm not sure how they get away with calling that a trail. It's a good trail to get your legs banged up on.

 

[forestgnome]

STAY OFF THE CORNICE!

I found the cornice to be the wrost trail in the whites. No cairns and scarcely a trail-marker. And its nothing enjoyable either.

Sounds prefect for me!!! I really love The Cornice because it's quiet and beautiful, very interesting terrain too.

The Link is also a nice trail, and the Castlated Ridge is also beautiful and interesting terrain.

BTW, what is felsenmeer? It's not in my dictionary.

Happy Trails!

 

[HikerBob]

I did the Link, Castles, Jefferson, Caps loop last year in atrocious conditions. I swore at the time I'd never do the Link again but plan to repeat the same loop on a good day this summer sometime.

The link is rooty and everything was slick with rain when I did it. Not sure if it dries out any but that would certainly make it more attractive.

Going up the Castles was fun but we were in cloud the whole time. I have to go back for the views.

Given the poor visibility and reputation for the Cornice trail I opted to go up over Jefferson summit rather than try to cut accross. Not being able to see the first damn cairn on it was a clincher

I found descending the Caps to be a breeze and oddly far less intimidating than going up.

Done Jefferson twice so far (up and back on Caps previously) and had no views either time. I'm about due

I wouldn't want to have to deal with the Link after having gone up and over Jeff so my vote goes for the clockwise direction.

Bob

 

[Quietman]

Great loop if the weather is good. I've done the Link between the cap's and castle ridges twice and I can't remember it being that nasty. The Cornice is rough and about the same as hiking off trail, above treeline anywhere in the Northern Whites. Here is another post concerning the Link, with various opinions. I don't think that I've ever disagreed with D. Metsky, but I didn't think that the link was that bad. However, the section of the Link Trail from the bottom of Castle Ravine to the top of the ridge was not among my favorites!

Previous Link Thread

 

[ADK4Life]

The Caps trail is a wonderful experience. There is a fair amount of exposure but at no time does it intimidate. This hike is truly short and sweet.

Adding the Castle trail as a descent serves you many new views and great picture oportunites. Here is just one of many great views in the ravine from when I hiked this trail last year on July 4th weekend.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/197562098/197564261oeEHZn

Take serious consideration before descending to the link between Castle and Caps trail. This is miserable for its short distance and progess is quite slow. Most of the time I vowed never to do the loop again because of this. If you make sure to get a good start time on the trail this is an excelent day in the mountains. Jefferson gives you incredible views into the Great Gulf, Washington seems much bigger and higher up from the summit of this peak.

 

[Bob Kittredge]

I'll be leading a hike up Castle Ravine (not Ridge) and down the Caps on July 31. PM me if you're interested.

 

[bill bowden]

Jefferson Trails

A few comments to add to the accurate and sincere statements of others:

The Cornice is strenuous but offers great views because it is above treeline the whole way. It is reasonably good hiking for someone not concerned with pace and with plenty of daylight to waste.

The Link is a notably nasty trail with numerous opportunities to twist an ankle and offering no particularly good views or redeeming social values.

Castle Ravine is a dramatic trail and less nasty than it would appear when viewed from afar. N. B. there is a sharp right turn in the trail in the ravine that is easy to miss. Some quite experienced hikers ended up bushwhacking up from there, told me it was not much different from the trail.

The Castle Ridge Trail is long and strenuous but offers exceptional views and good hiking and offers a very good treadway above treeline (contrast to most alpine zone trails) It is very eroded on some of the lower stretches.

Hope this helps

 

[arghman]

thanks for the comments everyone... I'm going to wait for a good forecast for this one (maybe even next year), don't particularly relish the Link but I would really like to hike the Castles w/o having to do the long haul from Rt 2, and as long as it's not too evil it sounds do-able.

I'm leaning toward Caps Ridge -> NE on Link Tr -> SE on Castle Tr -> NE on Cornice Tr -> Edmands Col -> Gulfside Tr -> Cornice -> back down via Caps Ridge. (total = approx 8 miles) Maybe add the little triangle of Edmands Col Cutoff / Six Husbands / Gulfside if it looks interesting and the day is going well, which would push the total to 9.3 or so. I've done Jefferson before & don't want to do it again unless I'm hiking with someone who feels the need; I'm more into exploring & filling in my AT gaps.

felsenmeer = German for "sea of rocks" & basically describes most of the above-treeline terrain north of Lakes of the Clouds. I like Bob Kittredge's description:

Even though I still call the northern Pressies "big nasty piles of rock", I believe I'm actually starting to enjoy the rockhopping.

 

[David Metsky]

I've done parts of that loop, and while I'll probably do the Cornice trail again, I won't be enjoying myself. Everyone I've hiked with there ended up beaten up and battered, even in nice weather. The Link is worse. I'd make sure you have a plan to shorten the trip if you're feeling beat.

-dave-

 

[Quietman]

I guess I'll have to hike that section of the link again to see if my memory is fading or that I'm just a really strong hiker.
No bets will be taken on this.....

 

[vegematic]

Gee, it sounds like my beloved Link isn't going to be "loved to death" anytime soon. Just as well I suppose. I'm looking forward to your trip report Arghman.
-veg

 

[peakbagger]

My standard defense of the Link - Yes it is rooty and rocky. from the Castle Trail to Caps Ridge Trail. I really believe its biggest problem is that many hikers underestimate the length of it and assume that it will be fast trail due to the nearly flat contour. It also usually is taken after a long day of hiking above treeline and there is no reliable water for the first half. I have had the occasion to hike it first thing in the day from Caps ridge to Castle and it doesnt feel anywhere near as long and far less rooty and rocky.

BTW, using the Link I routinely do the Caps Ridge, Castle and link route in 5 hours.

 

[Rols]

I took the Cornice on the return journey after going up Caps Ridge to Jefferson and continuing on to Adams. On the way back I decided to take the Cornice (a little variety, a little less elevation). After finishing the trail, I wished I had just retraced my foot steps over Jefferson. I would not avoid the Cornice.. .. it has views but footing needs to be deliberate the whole way. I would prefer to take the trail at the start of the day as opposed to the end of the day.

The Link is the one trail I bad mouth. It was a trail that had few redeeming qualities. Slippery roots, lots of black flies, continuous steps up, steps down. I really did not enjoy the trail. It still might be worth taking inorder to come down the Castles.