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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Garfield, NH
Trails
Trails: Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes:  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Neither of the two were terribly after the Monday rain. We all got wet, but we didn't really try to stay dry. With care, they can be hopped until the next rain/melt event. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Good to go. 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Jason lost a pair of sunglasses somewhere on the final 0.2 climb to the summit. If you find them, holla atcha boi. 
 
Comments
Comments: Overall, much better than expected.

Gale River road is mostly bare. Soft dirt and bare boots.

The first 2 miles of Garfield trail was a mix of dry, bare trail and wet, bare trail with large muddy areas. We gave up on staying dry pretty early, but that's April.

The final 3 miles of Garfield trail got progressively snowier as we climbed higher. What started as failing monorail gradually turned into solid, stable monorail. There are a few bare patches in the areas that are typically wet below and on the switchbacks. Half of our group wore spikes, the other two went bare--you could go either way depending on the lugs on your shoes. Spikes would've been helpful for the final 0.2, but I was stubborn and decided to put my shoes to use rather than take them out of my pack.

Post holes were not a problem as long as we stayed on the monorail. Once you step off, though...swallowed. There are a few areas where it's becoming a bit narrow and difficult to stay on, but those are few and far between. Expect decent-to-good conditions until the rain on Saturday.

See Strava link for photos.  
Name
Name: Nate Weeks 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-04-18 
Link
Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2298261037 
Bookmark and Share 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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