| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Galehead Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Beaver Brook XC ski trail, Gale River Road, Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, December 22, 2011 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Beaver Brook wayside to access ski trail and Gale River Road - lot was quite icy. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Slush, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow - Spring Snow |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
First, minor crossing on Gale River Trail was awkward due to questionable ice - crossed on bare rocks slightly downstream. Stream crossing on new section of Gale River Trail was crossable on bare rocks. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdown issues (cleared a couple of small ones). Brushing okay, though some hobblebush and beech are encroaching on the first mile or so of the Gale River Trail. I did not notice any blazing on the Gale River Trail or on the Frost Trail. Signage seemed okay. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Not too bad for transitional conditions. Down low: Patchy snow, at most, and some ice; several inches of snow up high, but not enough for snowshoes yet - many rocks still exposed. As one ascends, there is a mix of bare ground, mud, soft ice, slush, hard ice, snow. Not absurdly wet or slippery, but water resistant footwear recommended, and microspikes were used ascending from the hut to Galehead Mountain, and then on the descent until just below the new section of trail.
Best wishes to all for a safe and enjoyable winter hiking season. And, while I know drainage is the first focus of trail tending efforts, a tip of the balaclava to all trail maintainers who cut blowdowns and brush and blaze to the appropriate local standard. Your efforts are appreciated! |
|
 | Name: |
PeterC |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2011-12-22 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
