| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, Garfield Ridge - West Peak, Garfield Ridge - East Peak, Galehead Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, bushwhack, Garfield Ridge Trail, herd path, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, bushwhack, Gale River Trail, Gale River Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, June 21, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
All trailheads overflowing due to pent up demand for sunshine |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All rock hop-able with a little care |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One annoying duck under somewhere between the bottom of the waterfall trail and the Garfield Ridge West Peak |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Surpirse I only saw two dogs all day |
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 | Bugs: |
Oh my for some reason black flies were thick and hungry on GR East Peak's ledges |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I had to park on the side of the road at the Garfield Trailhead. I passed 31 people on the trail (one hiker passed me) and when I got to the summit there were at least a dozen people hanging out.
I intended to just go back down the way I came up but since it was so nice I decided to continue down the GRT. At the water source at the beginning of the spur path to the shelter there were a good dozen people filling up water bottles. Descending the waterfall trail section is always a challenge, I'd rather go up it than down. I quit counting people. I did the bushwhack of to West Peak to the recognized high point. I quit counting people because I lost interest in counting so high. I always feel badly because we should be embarrassed of the rotting bog bridges, mud pits and the need for brushing the trail and its the AT!
Trail conditions improved after the Gale River Trail intersection. There is a herd path to the Eest Peak, it begins just east the highpoint of the trail. Views from the ledges of are mighty fine into the Pemi and the Franconia Ridge but the blackflies kept me from lingering long. A gazillion people at the Hut. From the pile of rocks on top of Galehead I decided to bushwhack down to the Gale River Trail. Yah I've done it before and it is definately thick in there but I enjoyed the solitude but I wouldnt recommend it. I met at least 4 Hut Croo shouldering their backboards loaded with food up to the hut. I asked one what he was carrying and he replied King Crab! ha ha. Oh I saw a total of 6 Pemi loopers 3 going clockwise and 3 going counter!
Trip down the Gale River Trail was swell, the log bridges across the small deep streams have broken logs and what are left are getting old. when I got back to the trailhead I just started to walk up the road and bingo a car leaving agreed to give me a lift when i waved. I was happy not to have to do the road walk. Super day to be outside. |
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 | Name: |
Nordic_Gal |
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 | E-Mail: |
amybike@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-06-21 |
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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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