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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Garfield, NH
Trails
Trails: Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Gale River Loop Road is gated - parking is right off Rt. 3, though it was still unplowed. It was negotiable with what snow was there. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Skis 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Two water crossings in the lower half of the Garfield Trail, mostly frozen over, but I heard several cracks as I crossed in boots. A fellow in skis was up before me and I imagine that was less nerve-wracking. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A few blowdowns higher up in the trail around the switchbacks area. All were easily avoidable. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: none :) 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Bottom half of a ski/trekking pole on the first switchback (going west). 
 
Comments
Comments: I got an extremely late start (noon) but I was prepared with headlamps. Temps were around 20 going up, and cooled down on the descent; no wind for most of the hike. I bare-booted the first 3-4 miles until the snow got deeper and snowshoes were helpful. After the junction with the summit spur trail, I left my pack behind, and discovered the steep bit at the end was easier without snowshoes, even with knee-deep snow. On the summit cone, some parts were drifted to waist deep, but windblown sections supported my weight fine. Descent was easy, I came down further with snowshoes to try and pack the trail down a bit. I had a wonderful moonrise toward the end as well!  
Name
Name: Nathan Hillman 
E-Mail
E-Mail: njhcomposer@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-12-15 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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