| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, December 8, 2019 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at the gate on Gale River Road but I opted to park on the N side of Route 3. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Nothing major to report outside of a couple of easy step-overs. On the way out I stopped for a few minutes to watch and listen to a large cracked tree trying to hold on (from a distance) at about 2.75 miles into Garfield Trail. Ultimately it did hang on while I was there but it is on borrowed time. I'd guess it's a coin flip as to whether it will fall onto the trail or not. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Didn't see any. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Gale River Road has both snowshoe and ski tracks so take your pick. Garfield Trail is well packed and a little boney in the first mile but it looks like a bit of new snow coupled with snow falling from the trees added some loose power on top of the upper half. The short, steep pitch of Garfield Ridge Trail is packed also but was fairly loose - no significant drifting though. I wore snowshoes the entire trip and was happy with the choice (especially up GRT with the heel lifts) but I was in the minority as many were not wearing theirs. Snowshoes were not absolutely necessary but they just made life easier IMO.
I made it to the top just as a few clouds were starting to arrive, enjoying 360* views by myself. I only encountered nine others on this trek - coming in I would have bet heavily on the over since it was a pretty nice day. I guess everyone is waiting for the starting gun to go off in two weeks :) |
|
 | Name: |
HMJ |
|
 | E-Mail: |
trailsntrees(at)gmail(dot)com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2019-12-08 |
|
 | 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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