| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Garfield Ridge Campsite Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 17, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Gale River Road closed. Okay access for regular vehicles with just a little powderery snow over somewhat bumpy but not particularly slippery ice/snow. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All easy on ice bridges over/next to open water, but some looked iffy and we carefully went across those one by one. A big snow dump could hide the good ice from the bad or no ice. Water levels are low, so the risk is just a wet boot. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No recently added ones to the walk around and several dunk unders that are on the Garfield trail now. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
There is some open water in a few places where paws can get wet and encourage icing. Pepper and Shiya both had minor icing for that reason, but on the whole it was a very easy and fun day for both on packed trails. We also met two very nice dogs who would be great fun to hike with. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Most people we saw today barebooted, with or without spikes, and the trail was solid enough there was no postholing. Cory used snowshoes on the steep sections for traction; I did too and then kept them on for most of the hike out as the "designated snowshoer" caboose although that wasn't needed given the solid trail except for the spur trail to the shelter.
It was quite windy and cold on the open peak, but protected and mild at the shelter where we ate a leisurely lunch. It is a very nice new shelter. The views from the peak, and from the shelter or near it, were special. We met Dale and companions as we neared the peak, and then 7 more as we were going down. I thought we would see more.
Georg finished his second single season Winter 48 in a row over 70. 70 is the new 50 in his case. Cory and the delightful Shiya, who covers twice as much ground as we do, joined Pepper for a splendid hike. No bugs, no heat & humidity, no mud or rough trails, no roaring stream crossings, no crowds, some sun and vistas, good companions; all in all it was a great day to hike. |
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 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
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 | E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-03-17 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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