| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, Galehead Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Gale River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, November 12, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Gale River Loop is open, and road is largely in part bare or free of ice/snow. This one might stay open a bit longer! The four bridges to Garfield where iced over so don't be like me and pretend to be Mario Andretti trying to rooster tail in the morning.... SURPRISE! Garfield summer was more or less full at 0730 |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The usual tough spot, the confluence of Thompson and Spruce Brooks, was no issue today. Rocks surprisingly not iced over, but as always this time of year, never trust an exposed rock. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No issue through all trails listed. I was excited to see what Gale River looked like down low in the railroad grade, usually its absurdly good. I swear whomever does this trail has a leaf blower and goes absolutely hog wild in the outflows. Hope whomever maintains it is doing OK or just missed their window, bars are full |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Astrid (or a**turd if you're an Office fan) was out enjoying the inside of a golf ball on Garfield |
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 | Bugs: |
The bugs and tourons have left the woods for a little while. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a 46r related handkerchief (or snot rag) on Frost Trail on the way to Galehead. Tell me about it and I can work on getting it back to you. |
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 | Comments: |
A FINE day in the forest was had. Stick season in full glory, and winter is starting to slowly take over. Snow from end to end, but varying from a trace down low to a few inches up high. A quintet of completed gridders out today and a couple dang close. This is probably the most amicable I have seen Mt. Garfield Trail, of which is usually running water or a muddy mess for the first 2.5 miles. Currently it's nice and crusty which was a nice surprise. We put spikes on in the switchback session as the water bar outflows had left some nice ice. These stayed on until just after "two mile brook" - where it crosses the unnamed tributary of East Branch Gale River, about where the upload reroute rejoins the old railroad grade. Great rime ice on the summit of Garfield, and the trees resembled those you'd see in a Dr. Suess book, caked in hard rime ice. Still the same conditions across the ridge, enough snow to cover some obstacles, but not all. The waterfall section did take care but was no real issue. Of note, if you decide to avoid this and go off trail, there is some serious erosion so watch your step because the holes looked eager to break a tibia. Nothing really of note the rest of the day. The pencil is gone from the true high point of Galehead (not the cairn) but a screw remains.
Other notes:
Traffic witnessed to Garfield Ridge East & West
Water was still flowing strong at Garfield Ridge tent site 2023-11-12 @ 1000
Traffic witnessed down Twin Brook and Franconia Brook. Unsure if this was just for bathroom breaks. |
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat, Capt. Chris, Lil Squirt, Honey_Badger, Burke, Ging |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-11-13 |
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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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