NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Garfield, NH
Trails
Trails: Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Winter lot just off route 3 plowed but a bit icy in the morning, plenty of room today 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All easily crossed today, a few partially open - the snow bridge on the first (lowest) bigger crossing may not be long for this world if it stays warm though. Snowmobile bypass around the bigger crossings not recently broken out 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A few walk-arounds and duck-unders but none look new, all easily navigable 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Maddie had a great day, no specific hazards for winter hardy canines 
Bugs
Bugs: Saw a few buzzing in the afternoon - spring is just around the corner ... 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Typical late winter trip to Garfield today - low snow pack on the road walk and the first mile of trail with some hard ice in the morning, increasing snow depths up to at least 5-6' in parts on the ridge, and softening snow in the afternoon. We both wore micros from the get go as the trail was very hard packed in the morning - the sunnier parts started softening up a bit by midday though. We debating switching into snowshoes a few times during the last mile before the summit - I ultimately ended up changing into them at the very top of the switchbacks on the way down, while Ali stayed in spikes all the way down with minimal disruption to the trail (she's smaller and has better balance than me). Road could have easily been bare booted on the way out but we were both too lazy to switch out traction at that point. Great day for this peak as we had stellar views and a bit of a breeze but very tolerable at the summit. GRT towards Galehead has been broken since the last big storm but no recent tracks, no signs of any tracks headed towards Lafayette. If hiking this peak in the next several days it's strongly recommended to bring snowshoes - you may not need them for the entire hike but with the consistent warmer weather and snow in the forecast for this weekend, they will definitely be needed for at least part of it - snowshoes shouldn't be worn just when breaking trail, they should also be worn to help maintain the integrity of the track during warmer weather and out of consideration for your fellow hikers. Saw two guys on fat bikes that looked like they took them all the way to the summit and back (!) and one very friendly hiker - if you see this Maddie says THANK YOU for the amazing dog treats you left at the car! Thanks Ali and Maddie for a great day.  
Name
Name: Hikes with Maddie 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2023-03-21 
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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved