| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, December 27, 2013 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We parked at the end of Gale River Rd in the winter parking area. There was just a little covering of new snow over hard surface. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Slush |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
We used the whack and snowmobile bridge to avoid crossings, and the one stream crossing of significance was ice bridged sufficiently to get across by avoiding the holes. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns that were not difficult to get over or under. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Easy day for Pepper but there are quite a few places where the paws can get wet where snow covers water seeping over ice, a few wet drainages and one larger open area. I had forgotten his Vaseline and applied Blistex to his paws; and tried to limit his exposure to the slush, and he had no icing issues. We met one other dog, Baxter, who was obviously enjoying his hike. |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Splendid day out with Silverfox and ValC. The humans carried snowshoes but never used them relying on microspikes instead. There's only an inch or two of new snow down low. In the switchbacks there was enough snow (4" or so?) one could snowshoe but that would be better with more snow. From there on up microspikes were still helpful, but the powdery snow was deep enough over ice that they frequently didn't get a good bite, and going downhill a slip was always a possibility. But given the modest slopes the only tricky area was on Garfield Ridge to the summit. The winds were strong enough on top that we did a touch, click and go, but elsewhere wind wasn't a factor. The summit views were mostly clouds but elsewhere we had a few flakes and some spot sun at various times during the day. The hike down was especially pleasant.
We met Cindersmom and her dog Baxter, and at the parking area met a guy who had hiked the Garfield & Galehead loop with his two dogs.
Nice trail, good day and great companions. Can't beat that.
|
|
 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
|
 | E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail dot com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2013-12-27 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
