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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Garfield, NH
Trails
Trails: Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, January 2, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Winter parking is just off route 3 at the beginning of fire road 92. Vehicles drove through the small roadside snow bank along route 3 to reach the lot. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Crossing of Spruce and Thompson Brooks over ice/snow bridges 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Evergreen tree across Garfield Trail between trailhead and the turn on to the old fire road. Easy to walk around tree through the open woods. There were other tree falls that could be walked over or around higher up the Garfield Trail. The trail sign at the junction of Garfield Trail and Garfield Ridge Trail does not indicate the direction to turn to reach the summit of Mt Garfield. This would not be a problem for hikers that had consulted the guide book or map. However, most hikers ascending the Garfield Trail are heading to Mt Garfield and some become disoriented. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Did not see any today. Should be fine for dogs. 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: I used snowshoes the entire distance although the snow cover was shallow at the lowest elevations with some exposed roots and rocks that posed no difficulties to avoid. Bare booting would work today as long as one stayed on the compacted snowshoe trail (no tendency for postholing). A few very short spots of soil and rock where there was running water. The steep section on the Garfield Ridge Trail was totally snow covered with no ice so the footing was secure.

Great day for this hike as the temperatures were seasonal with no breezes on the north slope and only a gentle breeze at the summit. The surfaces were snow with no ice or crust. Great views from the summit. Lots of hikers on the trail today.  
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-01-02 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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