| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Garfield, Galehead Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Franconia Brook Trail, Twin Brook Trail, Frost Trail, Gale River Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, May 28, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Gale River loop is passable and open. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable) |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water is running very high throughout the Whites right now. Be extra careful as currents are stronger and water is deeper than usual. The section of the Garfield Ridge Trail below the campsite which is usually wet had very high water cascading directly down the trail. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The trails were surprisingly good, some blowdowns on the Twin Brook and Gale River trails but most were avoidable. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Wouldn't take dogs down the Garfield Ridge Trail below the campsite. |
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 | Bugs: |
Bugs were pretty bad at lower elevations, especially by Franconia Brook at Thirteen Falls. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Fun little two day loop bagging Garfield and Galehead and camping near Thirteen Falls. The Mount Garfield Trail was dry for the most part, with sustained snow and monorail beginning a little below 3800 feet. Microspikes are definitely recommended for this section.
The section of the Garfield Ridge Trail between the campsite and the Franconia Brook Trail was very wet, with a high volume of water cascading directly down the trail. The upper section of the Franconia Brook Trail was in very rough shape, with lots of flowing water and unstable snow and snow bridges. All of us post-holed to the hip many times on this section.
After dropping below the snow line at 3200 feet the trail was muddy in some spots but for the most part dry. For anyone wondering about the 13 Falls campsite being open right now, it's not. Although there are no postings anywhere saying it's closed there is a large sign at the campsite saying it is. So, we backtracked a little up the Franconia Brook trail and found a dispersed site outside of the Forest Protection Area.
The following morning, the Twin Brook Trail was in great shape, was easy to follow, and had minimal snow. Other than a small section around 3600 feet the trail was completely dry.
The spur trail to Galehead's summit was still heavily snowed in with thick, but stable, monorail. The Garfield Ridge Trail had sustained snow and was very wet, but was not heavily snowed in. The snow stopped around 3300 feet, a few hundred feet below the intersection between the Garfield Ridge and Gale River Trails. Although somewhat wet up top, the Gale River trail was dry for the most part with a few minor muddy sections. For anyone looking to bag Galehead, the trail conditions are pretty good right now. After some more descending on mostly dry trail we popped out to the car at the Gale River Trailhead.
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 | Name: |
Pete |
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 | E-Mail: |
crump.petej@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-05-28 |
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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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