| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt Garfield, Garfield Ridge - West Peak, Garfield Ridge - East Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, bushwhacks, Gale River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 31, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the plowed out area on Rt. 3. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One messy blowdown early on Garfield ridge...people are bushwhacking around it. A couple minor ones on Gale River. Trails are easy to follow in snow. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Started up the road on a good pack track. Garfield trail was broken out by two guys in crampons who stayed at the shelter, so quite soft. The two guys did not do the 0.2 to the summit of garfield. GRT was broken out up to the shelter spur. However, from there I was on my own working through really deep snow and deeper drifting. The steep pitch just east of the shelter spur was snow covering some significant flow ice, which was exposed after I passed. I began the bushwhack to the west peak a short distance after the Franconia brook junction. This bushwhack is short, however it was thick, snowloaded, and had me sinking to my hips and at times, my chest. I found the recognized highpoint and took my tracks back to GRT.
At the last highpoint on the ridge, I bushwhacked up to the east peak. This is but a stone's throw, but the conditions made it a struggle. I rejoiced to come upon the broken Gale river trail. The section between Garfield and Gale trails took about five hours with the two bushwhacks (only a little of 3mi.). |
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 | Name: |
zporterColdRiverCampCook |
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 | E-Mail: |
zap88@tds.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-12-31 |
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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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