| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Galehead Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Beaver Brook XC ski trail, Gale River Road, Gale River Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 25, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking lot fully plowed at Beaver Brook XC trailhead and the Porto-Potties were in solid shape |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water crossings are solid and bridged, at about 3.5 miles in from the start of Gale River Trail there’s an open section of runoff in the middle of the trail that is a bit rocky, and rough on snowshoes |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
At least 6 blowdowns that require duck under/step over |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
My favorite shibu Inu was dressed for the weather in a puffy down coat, and was enjoying the trails! |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The January Chill continues, which meant plenty of parking at Beaver Brook XC trail, with the usual suspects having a DAY with the bluebird skies and poofy snow trees! XC trail was well packed for the first .5 miles, then about an inch of loose powder to Gale River Rd. Road was a bit choppy from the snowmobiles, but microspikes or bare boots were perfect. We continued with microspikes to about 2700 ft, where the trail was softer, and donned snowshoes for the duration of the trek to the summit and back down to the road. The trench is well-established, thanks to a total of 20 pairs of snowshoes we observed tracking along it. Yowza. However, the cold temps and lack of freeze-thaw meant you still can’t bare boot it without making a mess from the Hut onwards, as a few folks discovered on the spur to Galehead. South Twin was well broken out (13 pairs of snowshoes), but Garfield Ridge Trail from the junction to Mt Garfield was untouched. The bench at the hut was cleared off, which made for a splendid opportunity to have lunch with a view. Temps never rose above zero, but the views and company more than made up for the snotcicles! #33/W48 for Horizontal and IslandGirl! |
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 | Name: |
islandgirl |
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 | E-Mail: |
joannhall4@aol.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-01-27 |
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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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