Jefferson Via Lowe's & Randolph Paths

**Mike P.** · Nov 18, 2006, 10:41 PM

Date(s) Hiked: 11-18-06

Trails(s) Hiked: Trail: Lowe's, Randolph, Gulfside & Jefferson Loop

Total Distance: 11 miles approx 4400 feet elevation gain

Difficulty: moderate to difficult

Conditions: muddy in many spots, a few blowdowns on Randolph path & two larger ones just below Lowe's that we could see. One spot on Gulfside & three spots on Jefferson loop had decent spots of hardpacked snow. The Gulfside drigt was easily circumnavigated on rocks just a few feet off trail, the three on Jefferson loop were low angle so we could walk carefuly across them without any traction

Special Required Equipment: Sunglasses for a while above treeline, waterproof boots, headlamps for the last 20 minutes, oops

Trip Report: I had planned a hike on Friday that might have gone after dark, Saturdays was a winter training hike so we went with our full winter daypacks (crampons & axe included to get used to all that weight again) Since Friday was planned as quick up & down I used my summer pack & put the headlamp & mini-mag in that pack. The Friday hike did not go as planned so I forgot about the lights until 4:50 PM Saturday. Luckily I keep one of those little keychain lights on my keychain & had just replaced the 9 or 10 year old one with a brand new one. It was actually brighter than Bob's headlamp. It was a bit slower than if I had remembered the two lights in my car but we managed.

We learned Bob needs new batteries & instead of trying to remember to take stuff out of one pack & put it in the other, i could have brought one oof the two older (STILL WORKING) headlamps I have at home!

Met a guy who had gone up Castle trail. We had thought about it but thought the river was going to be high & did not know waht to expect a couple of days earlier regarding wind. This route was recommended by trusted friend & I knew the trails a little bit having been one them once before. The guy did not give us much detail on the river crossing he said it was pretty bad. (well he used one word that summed it up but I am a Moderator here.)

Submitted by: Mike P. & Farmer Bob

MtnMagic · Nov 23, 2006, 6:10 AM

What a super hike! Wish I could have been there. I enjoy Lowe's & Randolph Path's. Nice route choice to Jefferson.

**MichaelJ** · Nov 23, 2006, 8:11 AM

Great route! Descending the Castles is, uh, not my preferred choice; I think you chose wisely. Go up them sometime, though.

**Mike P.** · Nov 25, 2006, 9:28 AM

Trails on the Northern Presidentials should be in my plans for the next couple of years when not working on the 48 X 4 seasons or ADK 46 list. Some of the more popular trails north of Washington I want to get to (& have not been on yet) include, King & Castle Ravine, Castle, Howker Ridge, Great Gulf, 6H & the Kelton. I've been on top of Jefferson 7or 8 times but either by Traverse, Caps Ridge or the Jewell Tail

I also am due for a trip up Huntington again.

Time to start working the turkey off....

Nov 18, 2006, 10:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mike P. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: CT Posts: 1,454	Jefferson Via Lowe's & Randolph Paths Date(s) Hiked: 11-18-06 Trails(s) Hiked: Trail: Lowe's, Randolph, Gulfside & Jefferson Loop Total Distance: 11 miles approx 4400 feet elevation gain Difficulty: moderate to difficult Conditions: muddy in many spots, a few blowdowns on Randolph path & two larger ones just below Lowe's that we could see. One spot on Gulfside & three spots on Jefferson loop had decent spots of hardpacked snow. The Gulfside drigt was easily circumnavigated on rocks just a few feet off trail, the three on Jefferson loop were low angle so we could walk carefuly across them without any traction Special Required Equipment: Sunglasses for a while above treeline, waterproof boots, headlamps for the last 20 minutes, oops Trip Report: I had planned a hike on Friday that might have gone after dark, Saturdays was a winter training hike so we went with our full winter daypacks (crampons & axe included to get used to all that weight again) Since Friday was planned as quick up & down I used my summer pack & put the headlamp & mini-mag in that pack. The Friday hike did not go as planned so I forgot about the lights until 4:50 PM Saturday. Luckily I keep one of those little keychain lights on my keychain & had just replaced the 9 or 10 year old one with a brand new one. It was actually brighter than Bob's headlamp. It was a bit slower than if I had remembered the two lights in my car but we managed. We learned Bob needs new batteries & instead of trying to remember to take stuff out of one pack & put it in the other, i could have brought one oof the two older (STILL WORKING) headlamps I have at home! Met a guy who had gone up Castle trail. We had thought about it but thought the river was going to be high & did not know waht to expect a couple of days earlier regarding wind. This route was recommended by trusted friend & I knew the trails a little bit having been one them once before. The guy did not give us much detail on the river crossing he said it was pretty bad. (well he used one word that summed it up but I am a Moderator here.) Submitted by: Mike P. & Farmer Bob __________________ Happy Trails, be safe & Good Luck Mike P. Last edited by Mike P.; Nov 18, 2006 at 11:02 PM. Reason: typo

Nov 23, 2006, 6:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
MtnMagic Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lancaster, NH Posts: 892	What a super hike! Wish I could have been there. I enjoy Lowe's & Randolph Path's. Nice route choice to Jefferson. __________________ Our New England Hiking & Adventurer's Group. http://hiking.meetup.com/283 Knowledge. Events. Fellowship. And more!

Nov 23, 2006, 8:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
MichaelJ Here we are! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Out in the MA 'burbs near 495. Posts: 1,950	Great route! Descending the Castles is, uh, not my preferred choice; I think you chose wisely. Go up them sometime, though. __________________ Skiing combines outdoor fun with knocking down trees with your face. - Dave Barry 21 days '07–'08 … bring on the '08–'09 season!

Nov 25, 2006, 9:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mike P. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: CT Posts: 1,454	Trails on the Northern Presidentials should be in my plans for the next couple of years when not working on the 48 X 4 seasons or ADK 46 list. Some of the more popular trails north of Washington I want to get to (& have not been on yet) include, King & Castle Ravine, Castle, Howker Ridge, Great Gulf, 6H & the Kelton. I've been on top of Jefferson 7or 8 times but either by Traverse, Caps Ridge or the Jewell Tail I also am due for a trip up Huntington again. Time to start working the turkey off.... __________________ Happy Trails, be safe & Good Luck Mike P. Last edited by Mike P.; Nov 25, 2006 at 9:29 AM. Reason: typing

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