| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, Galehead Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Gale River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, November 24, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Gale River Rd and FR 92 are closed and gated for the season. Winter lots are plowed after storms for both roads. Plenty of parking in both lots. Do not block gates. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All were accomplished with exposed rocks, hop-overs, or have log bridges. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Loop up and over Garfield and Galehead.
Route:
Roadwalk FR 92 > Garfield Trl > Garfield Ridge Trl > Frost Trail > Garfield Ridge > Gale River Trl > roadwalk on Gale River Rd > RW on US 302
Garfield Ridge: snow starts in earnest around 2200 feet. I set my pack down to put on my snowshoes only to find I'd left them behind. That was a most frustrating moment... I could not beleive i left such a vital piece of equipment behind. A set of footprints had gone before me, but as I suspected, the snow increased to 6 inches quickly. Snowshoes would have been king. It was perfect snowshoe snow. Spikes pointless as the snow is too deep and not compacted. Summit socked in. Garfield gridded.
Garfield Ridge trail: completely unbroken after the storm. Slow agony traipsing across this ridge in only boots. Snow 6 to 8 inches. Snowshoes would have helped me to fly. The "Garfield Waterfall" just past the tentsite is icy as always, but has thick snow in many areas. As always in snow, I work my way down next to the waterfall. Snow may be too thick for spike purchase on the ice.
Frost Trail: also completely unbroken. 6 to 8 inches of perfect snowshoe snow. Scant ice visible beneath the snow precisely where it always is. No traction needed.
Gale River: completely unbroken as well. Dang it!! I really hate the fact I forgot my snowshoes. Thick, lovely snow of 6 inches until about 2100 feet (or the main water crossing). If I had my shoes on, I would have removed them here. Spikes will not work as the snow is too thick. Bareboots from 2100 to the parking area. The areas of perpetual ice indeed have ice, but it was covered I'm light snow and tacky today.
Apologies for the delayed report. Breaking trail in bare boots is stupid and exhausting. Snowshoes are now sinched to the pack so I can't forget them!!! |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-11-25 |
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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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