| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Galehead Mountain, Mt. Garfield, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Gale River Trail, Frost Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Garfield Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 4, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the end of Gale River Loop Road closer to Garfield. More spots available at 5 corners nearby if that lot is full. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings were fully or mostly ice bridged. Just proceed with some caution. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
At least one blowdown between Galehead and Garfield that was blocking the trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Road walk to start of Gale River Trail was mostly plowed (though still a good layer of snow/ice on top making spikes useful). Ending road walk back to car on the other side was a bit less packed due to snowmobiles churning it up, but still easily spikeable.
Everything but Garfield Ridge Trail was an excellent highway - just a few rogue postholes here and there, so keep an eye out.
Garfield Ridge Trail wanted snowshoes. There's a good base, but there was several inches of fresh-ish snow on top plus a few slightly drifty bits. Based on the tracks, a few people had been there several days earlier without snowshoes - looked to be not the greatest time. They also apparently butt-sledded down the waterfall section which is... a choice. I made it up the waterfall and that other steep rock bit in one piece with my snowshoes on and with some cautious foot placement. Switched back to spikes at the top of Garfield for the trip down. Overall a wonderfully sunny day to be out in the mountains :) |
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 | Name: |
Ibex |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-05 |
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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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