| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, Garfield Ridge - West Peak, Garfield Ridge - East Peak, Galehead Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, bushwhacks, herd path, Frost Trail, Gale River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 11, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking in lot at Galehead trail head was full at 9; 2nd car parked on side of road. Many more cars all along both sides of road at Garfield trailhead. On return at 5:30 there were still about a dozen cars at Galehead trial head. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All rock hops |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One large tree down on the Garfield Ridge trail between Garfield and intersection of Gale River trail with path around. Couple of others are step overs. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Coop had a great time, no problems for him. Trails are fairly gradual, but there are several sections on the GRT, especially after the camp site, that are steep and may be a problem for some pups. So much water on the trail that quenching Coop's thirst was no problem today. Only saw 2 other pups out and only up to Garfield summit; none after to Galehead and down... |
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 | Bugs: |
Surprisingly no problems |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Cooper found a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses in brown case on the Garfield Trail; asked everyone, but could not find the owner. Left at the GALEHEAD kiosk. |
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 | Comments: |
Started with the uneventful road walk from the Galehead trail head to the Garfield trail head; got that out of the way first thing so we could just leave once down. Trail conditions captures all: wet with running and standing water and lots of mud that was not fully avoidable, but not boot sucking, on all trails. It was a good thing that I didn't know about the 'water fall' trail on the GRT just after the campsite before getting there... Lots of running water flowing down the trail made for some slippery conditions and slower progress.
Bushwhack to the West Garfield summit really was a bushwhack. I thought I was on a herd path a few times, but then it transitioned to brush and I was whacking. I know I was following some parts of paths that others had used 'cause I packed out a few wrappers. Overall, it wasn't bad, mostly mossy and open(ish).
The herd path to the East Garfield summit was a delight. Nice mossy trail to the summit ledge with views south into the Pemi and east to Garfield & Franconia Ridge summits. Much thanks to Van who directed me to the location (it was about 20 yds beyond where I bumped into him) of intersection off the GRT. Intersection off GRT is slightly NE of summit at a bend in the GRT (go straight). Both summits have black canisters, that I could not open; oh well. |
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 | Name: |
CookiesOnTop |
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 | E-Mail: |
schwarzmc at yahoo |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-06-11 |
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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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