| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Garfield Ridge - East Peak, Garfield Ridge - West Peak, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, bushwhacks |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Likely the last day that the gate was open as the USFS/WMNF website had Gale River (FR25/92) listed as CLOSED when I got back home. I never actually witnessed the gate closed, one other car in the lot when I drove out at 1:30pm |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossing on GRT early on was manageable atop rocks just slightly south of the trail, water was well frozen on the rock tops.
All mud on Gale River Trail was frozen solid, deeply rutted from hikers tramping through when the mud was fluid, no different than watching out for postholes in snow. Thankful for the deep freeze. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Both trails in great shape! |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Never saw anyone all morning, lots of tracks in the snow, however! |
|
 | Bugs: |
Never saw any, 8-degrees to start kept 'em at home! |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Great day flying solo to some lesser peaks along the Garfield Ridge Trail. Admittedly, this report is likely outdated after the snow and wet stuff came through last night. Trails were great, mud and most water was frozen solid, water crossings were all easy and not too slick. Bare booted all the way to Garfield Ridge Trail and then donned the Hillsounds (old old pair which I did not mind destroying further), kept the spikes on all along the ridge and back, until off the boulder staircase which is the final mile or so of Gale River Trail, nearest the ridge. Without spikes, the terrain was mellow enough to trail run the rest of the way back to the TH. 1-2" in most parts of Gale Riv, 2-3" along the Garf Ridge.
Both bushwhacks were relatively easy once the herd paths were located. East being just off trail, maybe several minutes or less of pushing through scrappy, low branches. West was a little more involved but still easy navigating. Followed a faint path in the snow (mostly distinguishable by the missing conifer branches, knocked down from others passing through), opted to trek my own trail from the West Peak back to Garfield Ridge Trail, much more satisfying woods once away from herd paths, yet there are so many in those woods! Signed into both canisters, West being pretty well frozen, being careful with a stern crank, I got it open and once finished, closed it not AS TIGHT as the previous 'whacker had done.
Great day in the hills visiting other places that were not NH48 peaks, highly satisfying roaming these standard trails to visit unconventional bumps on the east ridge.
Full write up will be on my website soon, otherwise check out some previous bushwhack treks in the meantime. The link is provided below. Cheers! |
|
 | Name: |
Erik Hamilton |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ehamilton9481@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-11-22 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.atalkinthewoods.com/table-of-contents |
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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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