Galehead Mountain

Trail: Beaver Brook XC ski trail, Gale River Road, Gale River Trail

Conditions: Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush

“The hike started off as expected with mashed potato snow and lots of wet areas. Shortly after leaving the parking lot, we knew snowshoes were the best bet for the slushy conditions. The first crossing close to the start of Gale River Trail took some time because none of the snow bridges were supportive and the water was deep. We found a log further upstream, lengthened our poles and made it across. After hiking close to 3 miles, two other hikers were heading back and told us they were not able to cross the next river crossing. One of them broke through up to his knee and was soaked. We decided to continue to check it out. There was nothing solid to step on, and the water was deep. We were assuming that the earlier hikers managed to cross before the temperature warmed up and snow bridges turned to slush. We wandered downstream to search for a spot, but no luck. I had trash bags with me, and as we were standing there, discussing options, some ice up stream gave way like a dam letting go, and there was a flash flood running downstream toward us! We ran up the riverbank just in time as a wall of brown water rushed downstream. It was now a brown raging river. There was no way anyone was crossing this river anytime soon. My immediate thought was how will the hikers get back later in the day, if the water doesn’t recede? Were they doing a traverse or out and back? Too much melting too fast. Be careful out there. Sue, Mary, and Rich may not have a summit to check off today for March, but we are safe to tell our story. Don’t underestimate the power of water.”

Trail: Little River Road, herd path, Haystack Road, North Twin Trail, North Twin Spur, Twinway, Frost Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Gale River Trail, Gale River Road, Beaver Brook XC ski trails

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky

“A mixed bag today. Firm base throughout with different surface conditions depending on elevation and orientation. N Twin Spur was drifted throughout. We followed the general trace of the trail straying in several areas. Avoid the Spruce traps we found about two tenths from the south summit. The Frost Trail was a minefield of snow bombs as the sun warmed the area in the early afternoon. Snowshoes went on at the Little River crossing and stayed on all the way to the car park at Beaver Brook Rec Area. There was evidence of bare booters from the day before with some post holes but they were easily avoided.”

Trail: Little River Road, herd path, Haystack Road, North Twin Trail, North Twin Spur, Twinway, Frost Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Gale River Trail, Gale River Road, Beaver Brook XC ski trails

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts

“Night and day difference from when we were here on Thursday. Bare boots to start since the trail was hard packed and it was -9 degrees at the trailhead. Everything was frozen solid. We switched to snowshoes on the steeps up North Twin for efficiency. The winds were mild but with the cold temps, it had a bite to it. Tagged North Twin and headed to South. There was drifting in the open areas but it was no big deal. We saw evidence of 3 spruce traps which had tried to claim a few victims but were easily navigated. The wind on South Twin was really cold so we didn't stay long. The descent down to the hut had nice grippy snow which was perfect for snowshoes. We dropped our packs at the hut to push through all the trees up to Galehead. The descent down Gale River trail was cruisy in snowshoes as well. Snowshoes stayed on until the road. With the warmer temps on the way, snowshoes will continue to be the way to go. The postholes we saw were far and few between but the snow is deep enough that us little folks would be sucked in and not be seen until spring. Wear the shoes.”