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The Castle Ravine Trail runs from the Israel Ridge Path in Castle Ravine to the Randolph Path near Edmands Col. The lower part of the trail is often on overgrown woods roads on the floor of the ravine, but 10 significant brook crossings (including 2 on approach trails) make it tedious except in low water. Because of the steep ravines they drain, several brooks that must be crossed can rise alarmingly after rains. The last quarter of the trail is above treeline and climbs the steep headwall on rocks of various sizes. Edmands Col is on the Gulfside/Appalachian Trail and provides access to Mounts Adams and Jefferson.
Distance: From Israel Ridge Path to Randolph Path, about 2.9 miles one-way
From US Route 2 to Edmands Col, about 4.7 miles one-way
Elevation gain: From Israel Ridge Path to Randolph Path, about 2700 feet, nominal on return
From US Route 2 to Edmands Col, about 3500 feet, nominal on return
Maps:
USGS Mount Washington
AMC Presidential Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map G-8
DeLorme NHA&G 48-J5/K6 - Low and Burbanks Grant/Thompson and Meserves Purchase
The trail is on the Northern Presidentials which is NE of I-93 Exit 35
Lower End: Israel Ridge Path about 1.7 miles from Castle Trail trailhead on US Route 2 at Bowman (44.3575°N, 71.3446°W WGS84), elevation about 2200 feet
Upper End: Randolph Path, about .1 miles below Edmands Col, elevation about 4900 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: Randolph Mountain Club
Special regulations: No camping above treeline unless there is two feet of snow or more
The Castle Ravine Trail leaves the Israel Ridge Path about 1.7 miles from the Castle Trail trailhead on US Route 2, and continues along the Israel River on a woods road before crossing it. It then makes 3 crossings of Castle Brook before a half mile of easy but overgrown path on the E side of the brook. The Link enters L at 1.5 miles, and after the combined trails cross a couple of small brooks the Emerald Trail leaves L at 1.7 miles. After yet another crossing of Castle Brook, The Link leaves R at 1.9 miles for Castle Ridge while Castle Ravine Trail continues up the floor of the ravine, crossing Castle Brook 3 more times. The next bit of trail runs up sometimes wet and sometimes underground brook beds and crossing some feeder brooks.
At 2.2 miles Roof Rock spans the trail, which shortly breaks out into the open in a boulder field with some boulder caves. The headwall is mostly above treeline but there are scrub areas mixed in, and because it is convex only a portion can be seen at once. There are rocks of all sizes of which the pebbles are annoying and the huge ones mostly stable, while the hundred-pounders can move suddenly. The trail rounds the crest into a grassy glen with a spring and climbs slightly to the junction with The Cornice (a rough bypass of Mount Jefferson) and the Randolph Path (a generally easier route up from the valley). Follow the Randolph Path R .1 miles for Edmands Col and the Gulfside Trail which here carries the Appalachian Trail.
Do not attempt the headwall in snow unless you yourself can recognize avalanche danger as there are no snow rangers here. Beware the brook crossings after rain and during snowmelt season.
Map Notes: The 7.5' USGS map shows this trail farther from the brook than it usually is and incorrectly omits several crossings.
Meadow at upper end of Castle Ravine Trail [7/04]
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