| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, December 14, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Gale River Loop Road is gated - parking is right off Rt. 3, though it was still unplowed. It was negotiable with what snow was there. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Skis |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Two water crossings in the lower half of the Garfield Trail, mostly frozen over, but I heard several cracks as I crossed in boots. A fellow in skis was up before me and I imagine that was less nerve-wracking. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns higher up in the trail around the switchbacks area. All were easily avoidable. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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|
 | Bugs: |
none :) |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Bottom half of a ski/trekking pole on the first switchback (going west). |
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|
 | Comments: |
I got an extremely late start (noon) but I was prepared with headlamps. Temps were around 20 going up, and cooled down on the descent; no wind for most of the hike. I bare-booted the first 3-4 miles until the snow got deeper and snowshoes were helpful. After the junction with the summit spur trail, I left my pack behind, and discovered the steep bit at the end was easier without snowshoes, even with knee-deep snow. On the summit cone, some parts were drifted to waist deep, but windblown sections supported my weight fine. Descent was easy, I came down further with snowshoes to try and pack the trail down a bit. I had a wonderful moonrise toward the end as well! |
|
 | Name: |
Nathan Hillman |
|
 | E-Mail: |
njhcomposer@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-12-15 |
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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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