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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Garfield, NH
Trails
Trails: Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, bushwhacks, Garfield Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, December 26, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Winter Parking is plowed/bare ground. Gale River Road is bare. The pavement sections on the bridge approaches are black ice 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Small bushwhacks to utilize two bridges, no need to cross any water. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A few down trees from yesterdays storm, nothing of note, nothing that spring cleanup wont fix. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: No four leggers out today 
Bugs
Bugs: A few Greyjays noted. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Here ye! Here ye! Do you enjoy hiking on trails that resemble rivers? Do you LOVE having wet feet? That every rock is questionable if its coated in ice? Do you enjoy bullet proof blue ice? Do you love Rocky Branch? I see you nodding in the back there! Sir, yes you Sir, dont be ashamed to admit it - are going to absolutely love the current state of Mount Garfield Trail! Come one, come all for some delightful type 2 fun. But hurry, because like every terrible television ad, this offer wont last!

A fine day in the woods, despite the conditions. Someone turned on the faucet last night full blast. The road is down to dirt, and the first 1.25 miles to the crossings are bare/a dusting. I utilized two minor bushwhacks to use some bridges, so did not have to cross any water today (noted in the guidebook).

I bare booted to the Garfield Pond herd path at about 3900 on GRT, then donned Kahtoolas. They remained on until I got back to the road due to refreeze and slick leaves, rocks, roots. Basically everything wants to hurt you. From 3900 on, it was pretty nice and firm. Preceeding this point, the trail is basically a flowing river for about 2 miles. Great fun. The 0.2 stretch from the junction of MGT/GRT was delightful blue ice and actual 10 point mountaineering crampons could be utilized here. Amazing views of the Twins, Flib, and the Owl today. Lots of snow/moisture in the air added to some stunning light striations. I did some tarzan swinging on the way down, but it was touch and go, zero bite with spikes. Ran into several familiar faces and other gridiots, of note, Sidehill, Poptart and two women whos trail names, by first impression, I would have never guessed - Slayer (Kim) and Iron Maiden (Hichee, I am spelling that wrong sorry)! Always a fine day in the woods, even when the conditions were anything but. Snowshoes got a ride today, but will continue to carry them. As mentioned prior, actual 10 point crampons would be helpful for someone who might not love cheap thrills as much as I. Also, found the mother load of Chagga! Awesome!  
Name
Name: The Teal Goat 
E-Mail
E-Mail: sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-12-26 
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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