| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, herd path, Garfield Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 24, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The winter lot is plowed but icy. Two other vehicles when I arrived (and left). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water was running high and rocks covered in thick ice. On the way up I took the snowmobile bridge bypass for the first crossing. I then crossed the second crossing slightly upstream of the trail, had to take a couple steps in the water but was able to keep feet mostly dry. On the return I took both snowmobile bridges. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No major issues. A few easy step overs. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No pups seen today, it was maybe too cold for some. Otherwise this is a good dog hike. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Gale River Road already has a few large blowdowns. The lot and road were frozen ground / ice, I bare booted to the second bridge then tossed on spikes (bridges are super icy). Garfield Trail from the start had just light dusting of new snow over patches of ice. I put on snowshoes shorty after the water crossings where the snow depths increased, another hiker ahead of me put theirs on here as well. Despite the cold temps there is running water under easily breakable ice, snowshoes helped from punching through. Higher up the snow is they hard crusty surface type over unstable granular. Two hikers ahead of me in spikes were having a hard time, at times they would post hole knee deep; they commented on how much they regretted not brining their snowshoes.
This kind of snow doesn't pack well and it's not supportive enough for spikes. If hiking tomorrow you will certainly want snowshoes.
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|
 | Name: |
Kyle L |
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 | E-Mail: |
kjlanctot g mail |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-12-24 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/8287359661 |
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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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