| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Hawthorne Falls, Flat Top Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Trail, bushwhacks |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, October 24, 2015 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
plenty of parking at Gale River Trailhead, tho full in afternoon |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Gale River Tr - all rock-hoppable; Garfield Stream (which I followed) was slippery at times. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
no issues |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This was my third time trying to find Hawthorne Falls - finally found it - YAY! I was very close the last 2 times, tho. This time I took Gale River Trail to the Garfield Stream crossing. From there, I took remnants of the old trail up about 200 vertical feet and then took the streambed up. A little tedious being careful of footing, but, I did wear very tiny spikes for the ice. You would not want to fall in there!!!! Finally came upon the falls at about 2850'.
The falls were very impressive in person - like nothing else I've seen!!!! Wow - so wild in there!
Then, I crossed the stream above the falls (being careful NOT to slip) and headed up to Flat Top Mtn - just a topo feature to the north of the falls at a little over 3200'. Initially open woods, then, a ridiculously thick fir band on and off until the summit. I tagged all the high points. Some amazing outlooks near blowdown patches - excellent views towards the twins! For descent I headed northwest, careful to avoid any more thick stuff and generally found mostly open woods west of the ridge spine. Then, I hooked around back to the Gale River Trail. Really pleasant descent. Didn't see anyone :) |
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 | Name: |
Becca Munroe |
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 | E-Mail: |
beccahiker@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2015-10-24 |
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 | Link: |
 https://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af185/beccahiker/hawthorne%20falls%20sm_zps9fjfyjvo.jpg |
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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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https://i1006.photobucket.com/albums/af185/beccahiker/hawthorne%20falls%20sm_zps9fjfyjvo.jpg