Gale River Trail Question

[dr_wu002]

Anyone know what the Stream Crossings are like on the Gale River Trail right now? I did it in fall and I remember a tough one that was crossed by a bridge and then there were some smaller ones over tributary brooks. I'm planning on hiking the Gale River Trail (on the way down) and I'll bring my sandals if I have to wade through any streams but if someone had first hand knowledge I'd appreciate it.

Is the Gale River Road open and drive-able yet?

-Dr. Wu

 

[Ridgewalker]

Dr. Wu,
I think Mohamed's website will have info on the Gale River Road. But don't know myself if the road is open. I hope this might give you some help.

here it is: http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy

 

[dr_wu002]

Dr. Wu,
I think Mohamed's website will have info on the Gale River Road. But don't know myself if the road is open. I hope this might give you some help.

here it is: http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy

Thanks - I checked that today but from what I gather, he just relies on someone telling him somehow (e-mail, web posting) that the road is open/closed.

Maybe I should just swim up the Gale River. Salmon can swim upstream and I'm not a salmon so...uhhhh... oh.

-Dr. Wu

 

[sapblatt]

Everything I have ever heard about that road is that is usaully closed unit sometime in May.

 

[dr_wu002]

Everything I have ever heard about that road is that is usaully closed unit sometime in May.

Oh Well, the road really isn't a big deal. Wading through neck deep water is -- and I'm not even a fish!

-Dr. Wu

 

[sapblatt]

I hear you...water scares the hell out of me...or at least when it is in a freezing, rushing river...one of the main reasons I am hitting Waumbek and not crossing any rivers!

 

[dr_wu002]

I hear you...water scares the hell out of me...or at least when it is in a freezing, rushing river...one of the main reasons I am hitting Waumbek and not crossing any rivers!

If I have to I'll just cross in sandals and my undiewears. It's springtime now -- I'll just have to deal with it, I guess. But if I can avoid doing these sorts of river crossings I will. Obviously if it's a raging torrent I won't go in though. I'll bushwhack or go back up to the ridge if I have to.

I'll try to get pictures.

-Dr. Wu

 

[Mike P.]

If teh road is closed & likely it is, parking at the Beaver Brook XC area & staying on trail to right (which loops to back) brings you very close to the trailhead & is much shorter than the road walk.

Stream crossings should be pretty tough, I'd consider bushwhacking although its not too wide. (after being in Franconia Brook last May, I'd pass for another year or two on the early (I was mid to late) Spring crossings
Last year in BSP on Double Top & another trail I was turned back by fast moving brook water that I would say normally looks like the crossings on Gale River

 

[HAMTERO]

foot entrapment

Dear Dr
Be careful with the wading. If your foot gets caught(easy) you can drown in 2 feet of water. Looks are deceiving.

 

[Sean]

I hiked the trail at about this time several years ago. The road was closed, but I don't remember it being an unpleasant walk. The river crossings were tough, but I made it through without falling in (unusual for me). There was not sa much rain that season as we have had recently, so I would expect the crossings to be worse.

 

[Waumbek]

The Gale River Loop Road is still gated and likely to be for some time. Snow has melted off the east end, but the west end is still snow-covered. Roads are so soft (wet) here right now that USFS won't open them soon, my guess is. They'd just get caved in and rutted to death. Frost isn't out of the ground yet below about 6-8".

 

[dr_wu002]

Dear Dr
Be careful with the wading. If your foot gets caught(easy) you can drown in 2 feet of water. Looks are deceiving.

Well, yeah... I wouldn't just step into something. Nor would I go in a raging torrent but I'm not afraid of getting a little wet either. I used to play in the East Branch when I was a kid and also my Dad and I would bushwhack up on streams that would go up to our necks at some points when I was a kid too. I'll be careful (If I end up doing it... probably not at this point. I'll just go and hike the Crawford Connector or something ) or I could just go and retrace my steps. Most likely I'll avoid Gale River Trail unless I get some sucker to go with me!

-Dr. Wu