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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Garfield, NH
Trails
Trails: Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, March 17, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: The parking area off of Route 3 was not plowed, and on my first attempt to breakthrough the drift the plows created along the edge of the roadway - got stuck. Shoveled myself out, and shortly thereafter another 4WD vehicle was able to follow my tracks in. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The 'minor' water crossings on the Garfield Trail were all manageable and easily crossed.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: None 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: On the descent, met two young ladies with a dog - no issues. 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: None 
 
Comments
Comments: Use caution as the parking lot is not plowed out, close to 12+" of snow - unless you have a 4WD vehicle don't attempt it. Left the parking area at 8:30 ish, trail completely unbroken, brief reprieve from breaking trail where the snowmobile trail intercepts the Gale River Loop Road - roughly 40 minutes to reach trail head. Started up Garfield Trail, taking turns braking trail with 'MotaBota' - roughly 20" of new snow. At mile 4.5 were joined by two other hikers from Rhode Island - another welcome reprieve, as we shared the duty of breaking trail - 20" - 24+" of new snow higher elevations. Within 1.2 miles of the summit we were joined by two more hikers - yeah!!!! Summited just after 2:00 PM. By this time the trail was well broken out and our descent took just over two hours to the trail head. Noticed ski tracks on the way out, maybe two miles in from the trail head. All in all a great day - trail is in GREAT shape for Saturday and Sunday hikers! A special thanks to the two hiker from Rhode Island, and the other two hikers that picked up the trail breaking to the summit.  
Name
Name: Streaker 
E-Mail
E-Mail: mottamd@comcast.net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-03-17 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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