| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Gale River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
According to the AMC, Gale River Loop was closed from the more eastern entrance. We drove in from the Five Corners (Forest Road 92 to Forest Road 25) and were fine. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Some rock hopping for crossings on Gale River Trail. Running fairly fast and high, but doable. Waterproof boots/gaiters and trekking poles were helpful, though. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
On the steep descent along the Garfield Ridge Trail (AT) from its junction with the Garfield Trail (just past the Garfield Ridge Campsite), meltwater has chosen the trail as the easiest way down the mountain, so the steep rock climb becomes a climb down a waterfall. About 100yds of *very* treacherous descent. Trekking poles were helpful. A couple of blowdowns on the AT, but easily avoided, gone over, or gone under. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Very good for black fly season. A few black flies at and near the roadhead, but otherwise hardly buggy. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Great couple of days in the Whites. Started from the Garfield Trailhead on the 17th. Garfield Trail is clear and dry until well into uphill switchbacks (maybe ~2800ft), where snow begins to appear. From there, patchy snow turns into a monorail (8-14in) with some post-holing up to the junction with the Garfield Ridge Trail/AT, and from there to the summit of Garfield. Above the junction, the snow is somewhat deeper and more stable. Still, snowshoes and light traction not necessary; we barebooted it. Lunch on the summit of Garfield, clear with 360-degree views including the Mt. Washington summit. Down along the Garfield Ridge Trail (AT) to Galehead Hut. Monorail most of the way. Particularly at lower elevations, the snow can be somewhat rotten, and post-holing is more of a problem, but again, snowshoes unnecessary. Views and sunset from Galehead beautiful. Out the Gale River trail early the next morning. Gale River trail is snowy down to the first time (descending) that it meets the river. Below that, no snow and clear trail...very easy hiking. |
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 | Name: |
flc.yns.ygc |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2010-05-18 |
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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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