| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, Galehead Mountain, South Twin Mountain, North Twin Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Twinway, North Twin Trail, Gale River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, March 8, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No probs |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I did not find any of the crossings terribly difficult this day. On MGT took snowmobile bridge bypass on first crossing. Second crossing was ice bridged enough for my weight class. Ditto for Garfield Brook crossing on Gale River Trail. Last (lowest) crossing on Gale River Trail was "hardest" but took my chances on ice bridge, and it held. Water was very shallow as well this day, so no biggie if ice broke. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
"You are here" sign on Mt Garfield Trail still wrong. 😜 |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Saw a flying bug and broke what felt like spider webs on lower Garfield Trail. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Very early start in order to take advantage of still below freezing temperatures. Barebooted road, 'spiked Hemlock Ice Forest, barebooted again, then snowshoed beginning at about 3800 ft. Engulfed in fog early on. Garfield Ridge was a winter wonderland, the snowshoeing fab. 2-3 new inches over a nice track. Garfield Ridge Shelter water source still open and running today. Some rather ungraceful maneuvers required to descend icy waterfall section.
On ascent of South Twin midmorning, I suddenly climbed above the clouds, and views were stellar, with the fog line around 4000 ft! Broke out the sunglasses, and temps began to rise... Snow almost immediately became very sticky, and I began dragging "cement blocks." Ditched the snowshoes for the final 1/4 mile to North Twin and barebooted the rest of the day, back over South Twin and down Gale River Trail.
Had intended to include Zealand and Bonds this day but went into Retreat! Mode before it became too much of a dumb drill with all the sticky snow on the Twinway. ;-) Just a gorgeous day up there!! |
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 | Name: |
Snowflea |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-03-09 |
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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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