| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Galehead Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Beaver Brook XC ski trail, Gale River Road, Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, January 2, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Beaver Brook Picnic Area and Cross Country Ski area on Rt 3. No cars in lot at beginning or end. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings were easily done by rock hopping or log bridges. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Blowdowns on the Gale River Trail above the boulder at 2200' up to the AT; more on the Frost Tr around the view point at 3900'. Blow downs in both area included walk arounds, step overs, and go unders. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None. Did see a lot of rabbit tracks, which would have been fun for the dogs, if any. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This one felt like a Winter hike, with temps below freezing, a moody grey cloudy sky, and some wind and snow. The MWObs forecast was dire as always; I did not experience very low temps, high winds, serious wind chill, or significant precipitation. It was much milder here along the Gale River, with winds ranging from none to light, and occasional gusts mostly up in the trees. Temps were in the 20s all day. Occasional very light snow fall, mostly just small crystals; only when I reached the car at the end were there large flakes coming down there.
Snowshoes were essential. There was about 1/2" to 1" of fresh powder down lower, and 1-3" new powder about 3000' to the top. I started bareboot up to around 3000', then the 'shoes went on, where is begins to get steep, and there was more snow. Kept them on to top and back down, removing them at the large boulder at about 2200'. Started at 9am, finished the hike at 6pm. About 12.5 miles with 2700 ft of climbing. Saw no people on the trail all day; and no evidence of any other people until I saw some bootprints in the XC ski area at the end.
Headlamps are essential too if you'll be out after 5pm, whether planned or not. I always have 2-3, and put turned it on about 5pm. For fun, I walked the road portion without a light, and enough light is bouncing off of the clouds that you can see the way. |
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 | Name: |
Joseph (Ear Drum) |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-01-02 |
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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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