Ice Gulch is located in Randolph, New Hampshire, just to the north of the very popular Appalachia Trailhead, but it feels like a world away from the crowds and trails there. The trails to the north of Appalachian are little used, quiet, and explore a number of unique areas. On this trip, explored the Ice Gulch, located on the shoulder of Mount Crescent, with my friend Patrick.

We utilized the Peek Path, Cook Path, and Ice Gulch Trails to make the loop. The full loop also required a bit of roadwalking on Randolph Hill Road to complete. Overall it was a 8.6 mile loop hike with about 1263 feet of elevation gain along the way.

Ice Gulch is about a mile long and it will take at least an hour, if not more to traverse that distance. It’s rugged, rocky, wet, and in the early summer, still snowy and icy. We descended the gulch and would recommend tackling it that way, as you don’t have added challenge of climbing the entire way, instead you’re descending.

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You can find this hike:

• Described in the White Mountain Guide
• Shown on the AMC White Mountain Map
• Shown on the White Mountains Trail Map

Want more White Mountain Hiking Videos?

• Watch all of the videos I’ve put together for hikes in the White Mountains of New Hampshire on YouTube here.

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Gear we used on this hike:

• Osprey Talon 22 Pack
• Altra Lone Peak Shoes
• Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles 
• Darn Tough Socks
• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
• Energizer LED Headlamp 
• NEMO Chipper Reclaimed Closed-Cell Foam Seat Pad
• Lenny & Larry’s The Complete Cookie
• Gatorade Endurance Carb Energy Chews
• GU Energy Roctane Ultra Endurance Energy Drink
• Jelly Belly Sport Beans – Energizing Jelly Beans
• Garmin Instinct Watches
• Garmin InReach Explorer GPS