| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Galehead Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Beaver Brook XC ski trail, Gale River Road, Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 3, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room at the Beaver Brook Wayside picnic area. Fee box wrapped up for the winter. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All snow & ice bridged. Did see evidence that someone had previously punched through in one small brook |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails were in good condition. There could be tree falls beneath the snow |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Should be fine for dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Trail starts by the information kiosk. Turn right at first signed junction not far in to hike from the parking area. Do not turn left on Beaver Brook ski trail (there is WMNF sign pointing to the west for Gale River and Garfield Trails). Continue for a distance until the blue arrow pointing left for the ski trail. At this point continue straight in to an open area that is a summer campsite which adjoins the forest road. Turn left on forest road and then right at the next junction (hiker sign). Cross bridge over the Gale River and soon reach the information kiosk where the Gale River Trail begins.
In the lower elevations the grade is gentle and the snowshoe path is fairly well consolidated and can take bare boot traffic well. The re-route section of the Gale River Trail is fairly well packed except for a spot or two of looser snow. The steeper portions of the Gale River Trail up to the ridge has more powder on top of a sloid base. The snowshoe crampons could not grab the loose powder but the climb was not bad as there was no backsliding or slipperiness. The Garfield Ridge Trail toward the Galehead hut was an easy hike with a good snowshoe path. The Garfield Ridge Trail toward Mt Garfield was only roughly broken out as far as I could see. The Frost Trail up Galehead Mountain was okay with some difficulties in traction on the steeper portions below the outlook ledge. There are many face slapping evergreen boughs on the Frost Trail. Nicer views from the Frost Trail on Galehead than in the summer due to the elevated position from the snow pack.
Nice to talk with Lefty at the Garfield Ridge / Twinway junction. He broke out the Twinway to South Twin. He reported the descent from South Twin was difficult due to sliding in the powder on the steep slope. I kept the snowshoes on from start to finish. |
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-03-03 |
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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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