| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, January 1, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
8-10 cars at 8am. Pretty full lot but people were creative enough to all squeeze in. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Two water crossings to deal with. The first at about 2 miles from the gate has a nice herd path forming to the left which will detour you to a bridge a few hundred yards up. I highly recommend following it. The second can be hopped but is icy, and one of us got a wet foot on the way out. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
|
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Two very happy dogs. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Hahaha. No. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
What a day! Despite the lack of recent snow, Garfield resembles winter conditions. The road walk is fast with avoidable ice. The remainder of the trail can be bare booted with alternating snow, ice and mud. The last couple of miles even have sections of fast packed snow that will get you excited for conditions to come.
Best of all, the cloudy ascent meant we got to see a dramatic undercast across the Pemi Wilderness and a sun halo.
And did I mention fast? The snow fall combined with notoriously perfect Garfield grade made for a hike time typically reserved for dry season. 10/10 day. Would recommend. |
|
 | Name: |
Chad |
|
 | E-Mail: |
chadwik66@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-01-01 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.instagram.com/p/C1kW4M8Jic_/ |
|
|
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. |
|
