| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 3, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The wintertime parking lot was an ice rink back on Sunday morning, but had melted significantly by the afternoon. Two-wheel drive vehicles were having a tough time parking when it was icy. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Ice bridges at the crossings over Thompson Brook and Spruce Brook are pretty much gone, though the water wasn't so high on Sunday that they couldn't be hopped. That may change with the melt. There are two snowmobile bridges nearby that can be bushwacked to for crossing. Head left into the woods before the first crossing heading uphill and keep the brook nearby; you'll pop out just at the first bridge. Follow the snowmobile trail back to the Garfield Trail. Second bridge is on the right before the 2nd crossing of Spruce Brook. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Couple of large trees down on the roadwalk in; forest service will take care of those before they open the road up in the summer. Garfield Trail is pretty well-blazed. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few pups out today. There is one section of the Garfield Ridge Trail right before the summit that is quite steep - dogs might need an assist? |
|
 | Bugs: |
None today, despite the warm temperatures. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing to mention. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Spring conditions have definitely arrived in the White Mountains. The roadwalk in was mostly soft ice, but there were strips of bare gravel here and there. First mile or so of the Garfield Trail was either bare ground with the occasional puddle or a stable monorail. Above 2000-ft it turned into consistent snow, though still very soft snow that resulted in sporadic post-holing for anyone not wearing snowshoes. The Garfield Trail is a very well-graded trail with several switchbacks above 3000-ft that kept any of it being truly steep, though again the Garfield Ridge Trail right before the summit does climb at a fair clip. No views at the top, but the cloud cover still made for some interesting pictures. Lots of people out on the trail today. |
|
 | Name: |
Sheamus |
|
 | E-Mail: |
Sheamus.Fagan@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-03-04 |
|
 | 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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