| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 14, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
5 cars upon arrival, about a dozen when we finished. One of the better parking jobs I’ve seen at that trailhead.
4 blowdowns across Gale River Loop Road. One chainsawed and split, the other 3 will need to be handled. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Had to go upstream a bit to get across the first crossing. On the way back, we realized we could use the bushwhack that uses the bridge on the X-C ski trail. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The usual blowdowns. Nothing new to report. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
N/A |
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 | Bugs: |
N/A |
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 | Lost and Found: |
N/A |
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|
 | Comments: |
The winter of Eternal Spring continues.
Parking lot/road is pretty solid ice under a dusting of snow. Spikes went on from the car until a bit past the water crossings.
Around 2400’, we donned snowshoes, as we felt like we were walking in sand. Definitely the right choice. Trail has many areas of open running water which were a pain, but nothing we couldn’t handle in snowshoes. No issue getting up and down the steps in snowshoes.
On the way down, we passed probably 20 or so people. Many with snowshoes strapped to their packs, but some with just spikes. The hard crust we had in the morning was obliterated, leaving 4-6” of unconsolidated powder underneath. Needless to say, we were happy to have our snowshoes.
The trail on the way down was churned up pretty good by all the folks in spikes. Luckily, the last 10 people we passed had snowshoes with them, so hopefully they were able to smooth out the trail on the way out.
If you’re heading out anywhere tomorrow above 2500’, you’re probably going to want both spikes and snowshoes. Tis the season until winter decides to show up… |
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 | Name: |
Chef |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-01-14 |
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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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