| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, Galehead Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Gale River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, December 27, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Gale River Road closed. Plenty of parking at the Gale River Road lot. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The River crossing on the Garfield Trail is still not solid and use of the skimobile bridge is still recommended. All other crossings are minor and easily stepped over. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All trails are in good shape but for the ice issues. The re-route of the Gale River trail is far less annoying during the winter. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Jack and Andy had a nice day playing in the snow. Not so much snow that it was an issues for them but enough to provide a nice ground cover for their paws. The ice flows can be a challenge for dogs as well as people, so I suggest you give thought to whether the Garfield Ridge is OK right now for your dog until we get some snow cover. My dogs have good sense to stay in the brush and avoid the ice. Met another dog near Galehead that seemed fine as well. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Less snow then I expected at the trailhead. Maybe an inch of new powder. Increased to 4 or 5 inches at most on the ridge. Only a few deeper drifts. Carried snowshoes but never used them. Just not enough snow right now. Microspikes under 3000 feet and Hillsounds on the Ridge worked well "most-of-the-time". The steep section of usually wet and running trail just east of the Garfield tent site is a nightmare river of thick blue ice right now. My Hillsounds were not adequate at all. I got down OK with great care, a small prayer and luck. I highly recommend technical crampons and take great care in this area. It was the only section on the Ridge traverse that had any serious "I could break a leg here" ice. |
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 | Name: |
RJW and dogs |
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 | E-Mail: |
Watkinslaw@mac.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-12-27 |
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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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