Mount Garfield

Trail: Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail

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

“The warm weather is melting and turning the snow to slush fast. We used spikes for the rd walk out, but not great, so used snow shoes on way back. Surface is 4” of soft snow and slush. The trail from summer parking lot to first water crossing was 50% ice and %50 bare ground and mud. After water crossing it is snow shoes. As you get higher the trail is pretty chewed up. Certainly some bare boot post holes but they don’t make it to summit. Lots of post holes from snow shoes though. The slightest off center of trail risked a knee deep post holes. One of our bigger hikers went knee deep into a slush trap. The steep parts had good traction, but also water flowing under the snow in places creation post hole traps.But the flatter parts were a bit of a grind. Overall a good hike but conditions are going down hill fast and without cold weather, it is full on spring yuck.”

Trail: Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail

Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky

“Had a late start and lucky me, I was the first one there. One set of ski tracks on the road walk which veered off to the left somewhere. Once on trail at lower elevation it was pretty bony, but after about a half mile there was about 2-3 inches of fresh sticky heavy snow. Snowshoes were balling up with the warm temps, trees raining due to the fresh fallen snow being melted by the sun. Above 3500’ it was light powdery 4-5” and drifts heading up the summit cone. I did not encounter another human until about a mile into the descent. Would still recommend snowshoes since only two sets were not enough to pack down the freshies. With the warmer temps coming the trail should be “fun” by the weekend”

Trail: Gale River Road, Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail, Frost Trail, Gale River Trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts

“Great to meet Jeffb.23 (didn't find your beanie). His report pretty much covers it, just posting to add that the Gale River Trail is in great shape...I kept my snowshoes on for the descent of the steep sections and then barebooted the last 2 miles and the 2 miles on the SnoMo trail. You could get by without snowshoes for everything but the section of GRT between Galehead and Garfield. They will probably find you in May if you try to bare boot that section right now. There was a group of 8 heading up to S. Twin from the hut as I arrived, guessing they went over to N. Twin and down so that section is probably in really good shape.”