| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mount Garfield, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Skookumchuck Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 13, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Very lucky to catch a just-opening spot at Skookumchuck Trail lot when I arrived. 3 cars left when I returned. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Couple of log bridges on Gale River Trail have collapsed, but crossings could still be navigated safely. Any non-bridged ones were rock-hoppable. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Almost zero trash on the trails. Well done, people đź‘Ź
Sign at top end of Garfield Trail is cracked. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
A few were out and trucking along. |
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 | Bugs: |
Definitely a factor. Not overly bad on Gale River, but I was also almost constantly moving. Up on the ridge I finally stopped to put on some repellent. Even after that, they were ever-present. Got one briefly up the nose, always fun. A stiff breeze on the shoulder of Lafayette was a gift. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
In all my travels, I’ve never hiked the dreaded Garfield Ridge Trail, so it was time to see for myself. Parked at Skook and caught the AMC shuttle to Gale River, then up Gale River Trail, across the ridge with a stop at Garfield, down Skookumchuck. Tempted to add an up-and-back to Lafayette, but wasn’t in the cards today. It was my first time on Skookumchuck, and the well-placed rocks on the lower portion were a welcome surprise! Weather was sunny and warm all day - layers stayed in the pack.
Also experienced a hiking first - encountered close to 100 other people, but not one all day traveling in my same direction. Lots of folks doing Pemi Loops and such ahead of the Lincoln Woods closure. Had Skookumchuck all to myself to end the day.
Fun climbing conversation with a trio of New Yorkers on the shuttle. Go Knicks! We agreed the Dean Potter documentary HBO is a must-watch.
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|
 | Name: |
MB |
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 | E-Mail: |
merry_brandybuck@juno.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-06-14 |
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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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