| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Garfield Pond herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, October 26, 2019 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Forest Road 92 (Gale River Loop Road) is open and in good condition. The small parking area by the Garfield trailhead was full. There is plenty of room for roadside parking. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Thompson and Spruce Brooks were crossable on rocks. The water levels were high with a good flow rate. One can avoid the crossings via a bushwhack that starts to the left of the first brook crossing. Parallel the brook until reaching the snowmobile trail. Turn right cross over the bridge, cross over the Garfield Trail and cross a second bridge. Turn left and parallel the brook until reaching the Garfield Trail. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail in decent condition. Additional water diversion ditches could help prevent water run-off down the trail. There is one tree fall that is at a height where one can either swing under or straddle over. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw some dogs today. The trails are good for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Water, water everywhere. There were lengthy stretches of the Garfield Trail that were running water. Most often there are plenty of rocks to avoid walking through the water. There are lots of muddy areas. Stepping in to the mud in places is almost unavoidable. If the wet surfaces freeze up it will be an icy trail. The snow around the summit cone was a thin inconsistent layer. I would advise carrying traction but at this time you can probably get by without traction. At the lower elevation there were lots of leaves on the trail which may hide loose rocks. I opted to trek over to Garfield Pond via the herd path. There were spots were the evergreen boughs encroached the pathway. The snow on these branches soaked my clothing. The view of the pond surrounded by snow powdered evergreens was nice. The herd path was indistinct in some spots west of the pond. Unfortunately there were no views from the summit. Met many friendly hikers today. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
|
 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-10-26 |
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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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