| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Galehead Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 15, 2018 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Half easy (icy, microspikes ideal) Half slushy (snowshoes would be better) |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Easy to find crossing spots, mostly frozen over |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Occasional Blowdowns |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
n/a |
|
 | Bugs: |
n/a |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Sunglasses. Owner found! |
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|
 | Comments: |
I elected to tackle the trail with microspikes only. A poor choice, as it turned out, due to the temperature, which rose from 33 > 38F. Monorail mostly very stable going up, but easy to posthole to either side. Slight slush factor made it somewhat fatiguing in microspikes. Trail improved for me above 3000 feet (as temps dropped).
Had planned to cut over to Garfield on the ridge trail: quickly abandoned that idea. Trail not well broken in; snowshoes required. Trails (yes, multiple) dead end. Pushed on to Galehead for lunch.
Return trip was hazardous going down, the extra downward pressure of my footfalls on the monorail revealed it was less stable than I'd thought, and I postholed more frequently.
Upon return, the tracks left by the forest ranger vehicle completely covered a portion of Gale Head Road. It turns out that at 38F these treads create a patterned slush that is a nightmare to step through in microspikes. Very difficult walking.
Three years of lucky winter hikes in spikes have ended; henceforth snowshoes will always accompany me. |
|
 | Name: |
Kevin VanderWoude |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kevin.vanderwoude@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2018-12-16 |
|
 | 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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