King Ravine via Short Line Trail

From the Appalachia trailhead on Route 2, follow Airline briefly, then pick up the Short Line Trail toward King Ravine. The path starts on moderate grades with generally decent footing through hardwood and mixed forest, paralleling brooks and passing several small cascades as it works into the drainage feeding King Ravine.

As you near the floor of King Ravine, Short Line meets the King Ravine Trail near Mossy Falls, a notable waterfall and common staging spot before committing higher. Beyond this junction the character shifts quickly to rough, blocky terrain with house-sized boulders and frequent hands-on moves, leading into the ravine’s boulder field and up toward the headwall options (Subway, Ice Caves, Great Gully, or the main King Ravine line).

Expect steep, exposed scrambling on the upper routes out of the ravine, with loose rock and significant rockfall potential for parties below. The ravine holds snow and ice late into the warm season, especially in shaded caves and under boulders, so traction and careful footwork can be mandatory well after surrounding trails have melted out. Avoid this route in wet weather—polished slabs and lichen-covered boulders become slick and consequential.

This loop sits in the northern Presidential Range within White Mountain National Forest; standard WMNF rules apply, including leash requirements where posted and restrictions on camping above treeline or too close to water. Check current White Mountain National Forest and local trail club notices for seasonal advisories, trail work, or closures before heading in. For general area info see: White Mountain National Forest.