| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Galehead Mountain, Mt. Garfield, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Beaver Brook XC Ski Trail, Gale River Road, Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Garfield Trail, Gale River Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 27, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No issues at Gale River Road gate or at Beaver Brook Rest Area. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A few of the crossings on the lower portion of Gale River Trail were tricky - we went to the right on each of them and found easier crossings. There was ice on the rocks but traction and poles made it work. On the way down Garfield Trail we skipped the two crossings by going to the left at the first one and bushwhack int along the river to get to the snowmobile bridge. Cross the bridge. Cross the hiking trail. Cross the next bridge. Take a left and bushwhack along the river to get back to the trail. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One big blow down on trail up to Galehead just below the view spot - half way up to summit. Had to go around. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
One rather skittish and angry dog - didn't like our snowshoes. |
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 | Bugs: |
No bugs. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing lost or found. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Did this one without Monica - just me, Mark, and Chris. The XC Ski Trails were icy as were the lower portions of both the Gale River Trail and the Garfield Trail. Able to use spikes without issue. Switched to snowshoes just as the steeps started on the way up to Galehead and it was the right move - perfect traction for soft snow and the heel lifts were a great assist. Met up with the group of two who were breaking out the trail ahead of us and then we broke out the hut to summit section and about half of the Garfield Ridge Trail (there were three people coming over from Garfield. Kept the snowshoes on until crossing the two snowmobile bridges on the way down and then went to spikes before going to bare boots for the road walk. |
|
 | Name: |
Michael & Monica |
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 | E-Mail: |
michaelfblair@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-02-27 |
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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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