| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Galehead Mountain (attempt), South Twin Mountain (attempt), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Beaver Brook XC ski trail, Gale River Road, Gale River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 8, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There were 11 cars in the Beaver Brook parking area by 9:00. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
First crossing, we used a log further upstream. All snow bridges are unsupportive slush.
Second crossing - could not cross at 10:45 a.m. Open water and slush. Details below in Comments. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The hike started off as expected with mashed potato snow and lots of wet areas. Shortly after leaving the parking lot, we knew snowshoes were the best bet for the slushy conditions. The first crossing close to the start of Gale River Trail took some time because none of the snow bridges were supportive and the water was deep. We found a log further upstream, lengthened our poles and made it across. After hiking close to 3 miles, two other hikers were heading back and told us they were not able to cross the next river crossing. One of them broke through up to his knee and was soaked. We decided to continue to check it out. There was nothing solid to step on, and the water was deep. We were assuming that the earlier hikers managed to cross before the temperature warmed up and snow bridges turned to slush. We wandered downstream to search for a spot, but no luck.
I had trash bags with me, and as we were standing there, discussing options, some ice up stream gave way like a dam letting go, and there was a flash flood running downstream toward us! We ran up the riverbank just in time as a wall of brown water rushed downstream. It was now a brown raging river. There was no way anyone was crossing this river anytime soon. My immediate thought was how will the hikers get back later in the day, if the water doesn’t recede? Were they doing a traverse or out and back? Too much melting too fast. Be careful out there. Sue, Mary, and Rich may not have a summit to check off today for March, but we are safe to tell our story. Don’t underestimate the power of water. |
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 | Name: |
Sue S |
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 | E-Mail: |
suemsullivan23@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-03-08 |
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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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